Simone Lawson
Working on a political campaign can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it's important to understand the nature of the work and the compensation involved. Campaign workers play a crucial role in the political process, from briefing candidates on political terrain to registering voters and conducting opposition research. While some campaign workers are passionate volunteers, others are paid employees with varying salaries, even for the same job title. This paragraph will explore the topic of whether most political campaign workers are paid or volunteer and provide insights into the world of campaign work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of work | Campaign workers help register voters, deliver campaign literature, call potential voters, track information from potential voters, and get supporters to the polls on election day. |
| Salary | Campaign workers' salaries vary depending on the campaign and the role. Salaries range from approximately $12.67 per hour for Assistant to $32.17 per hour for Financial Advisor. The average yearly salary ranges from $32,404 for a Regional Director to $73,228 for a Campaign Manager. |
| Volunteer work | Volunteers may use their homes or community spaces for campaign-related activities without making a contribution. Volunteers can spend up to $1,000 per candidate, per election, for food, beverages, and invitations for campaign events without making a contribution. |
| Paid work | Paid campaign positions are more common in larger campaigns. The FEC does not provide guidance on compensation, and campaigns determine how much they pay staff members. |
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What You'll Learn
- Volunteers can use their homes for campaign activities without contributing to the campaign
- Campaigns determine staff pay, which varies depending on the role and the campaign
- Volunteers can make calls and use the internet for political work at their organisation
- Campaigns may ask volunteers to work for them, but paid positions are more common for large campaigns
- Campaign workers can have different salaries for the same job title
Volunteers can use their homes for campaign activities without contributing to the campaign
Working on a political campaign can be an exciting opportunity, especially for those who are passionate about politics and want to make a difference. While some campaign workers are paid, others volunteer their time and skills. Paid positions are more common in larger campaigns that have the necessary funds to support a paid staff. These positions often come with long hours and low pay, except for experienced and high-profile senior operatives.
Volunteers are a crucial part of any political campaign, and they can contribute in various ways without expecting monetary compensation. One way volunteers can get involved is by using their homes for campaign activities. This can include hosting small fundraising events, such as house parties, which can be a great way to engage with potential supporters and raise money for the candidate. According to FEC guidelines, volunteers can spend up to $1,000 per candidate, per election, on food, beverages, and invitations for a campaign-related event in their home without making a contribution. If two individuals living together host the event, they can collectively spend up to $2,000. It's important to note that any amount spent above this limit must be reported by the campaign as an in-kind contribution.
Volunteers can also use common areas, such as the recreation room of their residential complex or a community room, for campaign activities without making a contribution. These spaces should be regularly used for noncommercial purposes by the community, regardless of political affiliation. A nominal fee paid by the volunteer for the use of these spaces is not considered a contribution and does not need to be reported. However, if a volunteer uses corporate or labor organization facilities and the use exceeds "incidental use," they may need to reimburse the organization for the rental fee, which would be considered an in-kind contribution.
It's worth mentioning that while volunteers can use their homes for campaign activities, they should be careful not to participate in the decision-making process of the campaign. The Federal Election Campaign Act prohibits foreign nationals from participating in the management of the committee. Volunteers can attend committee events and campaign strategy meetings but should refrain from influencing election-related decisions directly. Overall, volunteers play a crucial role in political campaigns, and by utilizing their homes and personal resources, they can make a significant impact without contributing financially.
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Campaigns determine staff pay, which varies depending on the role and the campaign
Political campaign workers can be both paid and unpaid, with the pay and nature of the role varying depending on the campaign and the worker's experience. Campaigns determine staff pay, and larger campaigns are more likely to support paid positions, although they may still ask staff to volunteer some of their time.
The FEC does not provide guidance to campaigns on how much to pay their workers, and staff pay can vary significantly even for the same job title. For example, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren paid her campaign manager, Roger Lau, around $13,000 per month in 2020 (an annual salary of $156,000), while Republican Senator Susan Collins' campaign manager, Steve Abbott, earned $426,666 for his work on her 2020 campaign.
Campaign workers can be hired for specific roles and salaries, particularly if they have previous campaign experience. However, those without experience may be expected to volunteer their time, especially at the beginning of a campaign when fundraising operations are just getting started. While the pay for entry-level campaign positions is often meager, the connections made can be valuable for future career prospects, especially for those with political aspirations.
The average hourly pay for political campaign workers ranges from approximately $12.67 per hour for assistant roles to $32.17 per hour for financial advisor positions. Annual salaries can range from approximately $32,404 for regional directors to $73,228 for campaign managers. These figures are based on data collected from employees, job advertisements, and past and present users of the job site Indeed.
Volunteers are also crucial to political campaigns, and individuals often volunteer their personal services, using their homes or community spaces for campaign-related activities. Volunteers can engage in certain voluntary internet activities to influence a federal election without restriction, and employees of corporations or labor organizations may be permitted to use company facilities for individual volunteer internet activity without making a prohibited contribution.
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Volunteers can make calls and use the internet for political work at their organisation
Volunteers are an integral part of political campaigns, and their efforts can significantly influence election outcomes. Campaigns rely on volunteers to maximise their reach, engage with the community, and promote their candidates. Volunteers can contribute in various ways, including making phone calls and using the internet to support the campaign.
Volunteers can use their personal phones to make calls that pertain to political volunteer work. These calls can be used to persuade potential voters, ask for donations, or provide information and reminders to likely voters. It is important to note that volunteers must comply with any relevant laws and regulations regarding political campaigning and the use of personal devices for such activities.
When it comes to internet activities, volunteers can engage in various exempted activities without triggering registration or reporting requirements. These activities include sending or forwarding emails, providing hyperlinks, creating or maintaining websites, and other forms of online communication. Social media is also a powerful tool for volunteers to organise and support the campaign online, helping to maximise the campaign's reach and engage with a wider audience, especially younger voters.
By utilising phone and internet tools, volunteers can effectively contribute to the campaign's efforts without incurring significant costs. These activities allow volunteers to directly interact with voters, influence their decisions, and maximise the campaign's person-to-person reach. Such contributions are highly valuable to campaigns, especially those with limited resources, as they help to extend their influence and engage with voters who might otherwise be difficult to reach.
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Campaigns may ask volunteers to work for them, but paid positions are more common for large campaigns
While the FEC does not provide guidance on campaign worker salaries, federal records show that pay can vary widely. For example, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren's campaign manager earned an annual salary of $156,000 in 2020. In contrast, other campaign workers may earn much less, with hourly wages ranging from $12.67 for assistants to $32.17 for financial advisors.
Campaigns may also hire independent consultants, who often forgo benefits such as medical insurance. Entry-level campaign positions are typically not sought for immediate monetary rewards, but rather for the connections and experience that can benefit future career aspirations. Working on a large campaign can provide valuable opportunities for newcomers, especially those with local knowledge and political savvy.
The political desks of a campaign play a crucial role in briefing candidates, securing endorsements, and liaising with field workers. Research staff engage in "opposition research," learning as much as possible about their opponent, and they may also research their own candidate. This aspect of the campaign can be exciting but demands long hours of grueling work.
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Campaign workers can have different salaries for the same job title
Campaign workers can have vastly different salaries for the same job title. How much a campaign worker is paid depends on who they work for, and the campaign alone determines how much it compensates its staff members. For instance, in 2020, Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine faced a difficult reelection race. To secure her position, Collins hired her longtime chief of staff, Steve Abbott, to manage her campaign. Abbott's work came at a premium, as he disclosed earning $426,666 for his work on the 2020 campaign. In contrast, FEC records show that Valdivia, who worked on two campaigns in 2020, earned a combined total of $70,014.
The size of the campaign also influences the salary of campaign workers. Larger campaigns are more likely to support paid campaign positions, while smaller campaigns may rely on volunteers. The biggest campaigns may have less need to bring on non-essential paid staff. Additionally, the experience of the campaign worker plays a role in determining their salary. Except for experienced and high-profile senior operatives, the compensation will likely be meager.
The hourly pay for campaign workers can range from approximately $12.67 per hour for assistant roles to $32.17 per hour for financial advisor positions. The average annual salary for campaign workers ranges from approximately $32,404 for regional directors to $73,228 for campaign managers. However, it is important to note that these figures are approximations based on third-party submissions and are subject to variation.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the campaign and the worker's role. Larger campaigns are more likely to support paid campaign positions, but even they may ask workers to volunteer for some time. Campaigns with a lot of funding can rely on a steady flow of volunteers and may not need to bring on non-essential paid staff. Salaries can vary greatly even for the same job title.
The pay for campaign workers varies depending on the campaign and the worker's role. Campaign managers can make anywhere from $46,000 to $156,000 a year. Average hourly pay can range from $12.67 for assistants to $32.17 for financial advisors.
Volunteers for political campaigns may use their homes or community spaces for campaign-related activities. They can spend up to $1,000 per candidate, per election, for food, beverages, and invitations for campaign events without making a contribution. Volunteers may also make phone calls, send emails, or perform other promotional activities.
