Isabella Carter
Working on a political campaign can be a well-paid job, but it depends on who you work for and your level of experience. Campaign workers can have vastly different salaries even for the same job title. For example, in 2020, Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine hired her longtime chief of staff, Steve Abbott, to manage her campaign, and he earned $426,666 for his work. In contrast, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts paid her campaign manager, Roger Lau, about $13,000 a month, or $156,000 annually. While some campaign jobs are unpaid and done by volunteers, there are also paid positions, with the average hourly pay for a political campaign staff member in the United States as of February 2025 being $20.57, with wages ranging from $8.17 to $42.55 per hour. The average yearly salary for a political campaign staff member ranges from $32,404 for a Regional Director to $73,228 for a Campaign Manager.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Salary | Varies depending on the campaign, the role, and the location. The average hourly pay for a Political Campaign Staff in the United States is $20.57, with wages ranging from $8.17 to $42.55. The average yearly salary ranges from $32,404 for a Regional Director to $73,228 for a Campaign Manager. |
| Salary Caps | The House and Senate ethics committees have rules regarding what staffers can and cannot do if they want to take on two jobs. |
| Payment Frequency | Most paid positions are paid weekly. |
| Benefits | Unless you are in the top-tier of staff, you may not receive benefits such as medical insurance. |
| Volunteers | Volunteers are common, and campaigns may be eager to have the extra unpaid help. Volunteers may be able to parlay their spot into a more stable, paid position as the campaign progresses. |
| Consultants | Consultants are paid as a percentage of what they raise. |
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What You'll Learn
Campaign staff salaries
According to Indeed, the average hourly pay for political campaign staff ranges from $12.67 per hour for Assistant roles to $32.17 per hour for Financial Advisor positions. The average annual salary for a Regional Director is approximately $32,404, while a Campaign Manager can earn around $73,228 per year. It is worth noting that these figures are approximations based on self-reported data.
Entry-level campaign managers with less than a year of experience can expect an average total compensation of around $48,255 per year. As campaign managers gain experience, their earning potential increases. Those with 1-4 years of experience can earn an average of $65,986. Additionally, overseeing more junior campaign managers can also lead to higher compensation.
Location also plays a significant role in campaign staff salaries. For example, New York ranks first out of 50 states for political campaign staff salaries, with an average hourly wage of $20.57. In contrast, the national average hourly salary for political campaign staff is $20.57. Cities like Green River, WY, San Mateo, CA, and San Francisco, CA, offer salaries above the national average, creating opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations.
While most paid campaign positions offer weekly salaries, the compensation for entry-level roles is often meagre. Many individuals recognise that working for free or for a low wage can provide valuable connections and experience, which can lead to better opportunities in the future, especially for those with political aspirations. Campaign staff may also receive non-monetary benefits, such as campaign housing, access to a campaign vehicle, or travel expense coverage for certain roles.
Overall, campaign staff salaries can vary widely, and it is important to consider factors such as experience, location, and the specific campaign when determining compensation.
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Volunteer work
Volunteering for a political campaign can be a great way to get involved in the political process and make a difference. It can also be a strategic move to gain valuable experience and connections that can benefit your future career, especially if you have political aspirations or aspirations in political law. While volunteer work may not always lead to a paid position directly, it can open doors to other opportunities and enhance your resume.
Getting Started as a Volunteer
Breaking into the world of political campaigns as a volunteer typically requires initiative and persistence. You can start by identifying campaigns that align with your values and interests. Stay informed about these campaigns by following their social media and keeping up with relevant news. Attending campaign events and introducing yourself to the staff can be a great way to get noticed and offer your help.
Types of Volunteer Work in Political Campaigns
Volunteer roles in political campaigns can vary widely, and your specific duties will depend on the campaign's needs and your skillset. Some common areas where volunteers are needed include:
- Advance work: This involves overseeing event logistics and requires independence, self-confidence, imagination, and good judgment. Advance work often includes lots of travel, and volunteers in this role may be on the road for a significant portion of the month.
- Communications: Volunteers in this area help craft the campaign's public message. They may assist in writing speeches, creating ads, organising media events, and responding to press inquiries.
- Fundraising: Fundraising is a critical aspect of any political campaign. Volunteers can help by reaching out to potential donors, organising fundraising events, and assisting with administrative tasks related to fundraising.
- Canvassing and grassroots organising: This involves directly engaging with voters by knocking on doors, making phone calls, or distributing campaign materials. Volunteers are crucial for spreading the campaign's message and engaging with the community.
- Office administration: Campaigns also need volunteers to assist with administrative tasks such as data entry, answering phones, and managing campaign materials.
Benefits and Challenges of Volunteering
Volunteering on a political campaign offers valuable experience and the opportunity to build a professional network. It can provide a foot in the door, especially if you're considering a career in politics or political law. However, it's important to remember that campaign work is demanding and often requires long hours. Volunteers should be prepared for the possibility of low pay or no pay at all, and campaigns rarely provide benefits or housing.
Despite the challenges, volunteering on a political campaign can be a rewarding and enriching experience. It allows you to contribute to a cause you believe in and can open doors to future opportunities in the political arena.
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Campaign consultant pay
Political consultants are professionals who provide strategic advice, insight, and services to help candidates, parties, and organizations navigate the political landscape. They work with campaigns to refine their strategies, ensuring consistent and effective messaging that resonates with voters. Consultants also assist in obtaining endorsements, setting priorities, and organizing voter engagement initiatives. Some specialize in areas such as fundraising, direct-mail marketing, or digital campaigns.
The pay for campaign jobs varies significantly, and the FEC or other governmental bodies do not provide guidance on compensation. Salaries can range from approximately $12.67 per hour for assistant roles to $32.17 per hour for financial advisor positions. Annual salaries can range from about $32,404 for a regional director to $73,228 for a campaign manager.
It is worth noting that many campaign positions, especially at the entry level, may be unpaid or offer meager compensation. However, these roles can provide valuable connections and experience that can lead to future career opportunities, especially for those with political aspirations.
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Candidate salaries
Political campaigns can vary widely in terms of the salaries they offer to their staff members. The campaigns themselves determine how much they compensate staff members, as there is no guidance from the FEC or any other governmental body on this matter. Salaries can differ even for the same job title, depending on who the staff member works for. For instance, the campaign manager of Senator Elizabeth Warren was paid about $13,000 a month, or $156,000 annually, while the longtime chief of staff of Senator Susan Collins earned $426,666 for his work on her 2020 campaign.
Officeholders who are campaigning are typically paid their full salaries while campaigning, as they must continue to execute the duties of their offices. Candidates who are not already officeholders may choose to remain in their current employment while running for office, or they may decide to campaign full-time. In the latter case, the Commission has noted that half of the minimum congressional salary exceeds the current median household income in the United States, so limiting candidate compensation helps to prevent personal enrichment from one's candidacy.
The Commission has also proposed amending its regulations to address the use of campaign funds to pay candidates' compensation, including salaries, health insurance premiums, and dependent care costs. Comments on the proposed rulemaking have indicated that the period during which a candidate is eligible to receive a salary is too short and does not reflect the financial costs and other demands of campaigning today. Some have suggested that winning candidates should be able to accept compensation from campaign funds until they are sworn into office, and that losing candidates should be able to continue accepting campaign funds for a short period to wind down their campaign committees.
While there are some paid positions available, most entry-level campaign positions are not particularly lucrative. Many people take these jobs for the connections they provide rather than the immediate monetary rewards. Campaign staff members may be hired as independent consultants, without medical insurance or other benefits. However, some campaigns do provide various forms of support for their volunteers, such as housing or access to a campaign vehicle, which can help to reduce living costs.
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Campaign costs
In the United States, the cost of campaigns has been steadily rising since at least 1990, with an estimated $16.7 billion spent on the 2021 and 2022 election cycle. For example, the average spending for winning Senate candidates increased from $3.87 million in 1990 to $26.53 million in 2022 (adjusted for inflation). Similarly, the winner of a US House of Representatives election in 2022 spent on average $2.79 million, compared to $407,600 in 1990.
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) plays a crucial role in regulating campaign donations, spending, and public funding. Presidential candidates can receive federal funds to cover qualified expenses, with eligible candidates receiving matching funds up to half of the national spending limit for the primary campaign. Additionally, major party presidential nominees receive grants of $20 million, with the agreement to limit their spending to the grant amount and not accept private contributions.
Campaign staff salaries also contribute to the overall campaign costs, and these salaries can vary significantly. For example, the average hourly pay for a political campaign assistant is $12.67, while a financial advisor can earn up to $32.17 per hour. Campaign managers' salaries can range from $32,404 to $73,228 per year, and some high-level campaign staff members can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars, as seen in the case of Steve Abbott, who earned $426,666 for his work on a 2020 campaign.
It is important to note that not all campaign positions are paid, and many campaigns rely on volunteers. These volunteer positions can provide valuable connections and experience, which can lead to paid opportunities in the future. Additionally, some campaigns may offer non-monetary benefits, such as campaign housing or access to a campaign vehicle, to help reduce living costs for their volunteers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, people do get paid for working on political campaigns. However, the pay can vary greatly depending on the campaign, the role, and the location. For example, in February 2025, the average hourly pay for a Political Campaign Staff member in the United States was $20.57, but this ranged from as low as $8.17 to as high as $42.55.
The pay for campaign workers depends on who they work for and the specific role they have within the campaign. For example, campaign managers tend to be paid more than assistants. Additionally, some campaigns may provide additional benefits like housing or a campaign vehicle, which can reduce living costs for staff members.
The FEC and other governmental bodies do not provide guidance on how much campaigns should pay their workers. However, there are rules in place regarding what staffers can and cannot do if they want to take on multiple jobs, such as not taking campaign-related calls from congressional offices. Additionally, there are proposals to expand the pool of candidates eligible for compensation from campaign funds to include people who might otherwise be prevented from campaigning due to financial constraints.
Working on a political campaign can provide valuable connections and experience that can be beneficial for future career aspirations, especially for those interested in politics or political law. Campaign work can also lead to opportunities within the government or partisan non-profits, as trusted campaign staff are often considered for positions of greater responsibility.
