Isabella Carter
Political campaign managers are responsible for coordinating a campaign's operations, including fundraising, advertising, and polling. As of 2025, the average annual salary for a political campaign manager in the United States is around $72,057, with salaries ranging from approximately $53,546 to $94,423. However, salaries can vary depending on location, with Washington, D.C. offering an average salary of $86,863, and New York City's average salary for political campaign managers being $80,816. The top-paying companies in financial services for campaign managers are JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Rocket Companies, with salaries reaching as high as $137,411 per year. Campaign managers for high-profile political campaigns can also earn six-figure salaries, with some earning over $100,000 per year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average Salary Range | $53,546 - $137,411 per year |
| Average Salary | $72,057 per year |
| Average Base Salary | $72,057 |
| Average Total Cash Compensation | $72,674 |
| Highest Salary | $137,411 per year |
| Lowest Salary | $53,546 per year |
| Average Salary in Washington, DC | $86,863 per year |
| Average Salary in New York City, NY | $80,816 per year |
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What You'll Learn
Salary range for political campaign managers
The salary of a political campaign manager in the United States varies depending on the campaign and location. As of February 2025, the average annual salary for a political campaign manager in the US is $72,057, with salaries ranging from a low of $53,546 to a high of $94,423. Most professionals in this field earn between $62,367 and $83,764.
However, salaries can vary significantly depending on the campaign and the individual's experience. For example, in 2015, Clinton's campaign manager, Robby Mook, was paid approximately $121,000 per year, while other top Clinton staffers earned similar salaries, with some earning between $109,000 and $133,000. In the same year, Rubio's campaign manager was reported to have earned an annual salary of $210,000, while Sanders' campaign manager earned approximately $118,000, and Fiorina's campaign manager earned about $108,000.
Location also plays a role in determining the salary of a political campaign manager. For instance, the average salary for a campaign manager in Washington, DC, is $86,863 per year, while the average salary for a political campaign manager in New York City is $80,816.
According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a campaign manager in the United States is $102,003 per year, with the highest salary reported to be $137,411 per year. However, it is important to note that these figures may include campaign managers outside of the political realm.
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Highest-paying locations
The salary of a political campaign manager in the United States varies depending on the location and the level of the campaign. The average annual salary for a campaign manager in the US is around $72,057 to $102,003, with salaries ranging from a low of $53,546 to a high of $137,411.
Some of the highest-paying locations for political campaign managers in the US include:
Washington, DC:
Campaign managers in Washington, DC, earn an average salary of $86,863 per year, which is higher than the national average. The higher salaries in this location may be due to the concentration of political activity and the higher cost of living in the area.
New York City, NY:
Political campaign managers in New York City can expect to earn an average salary of $80,816 per year, which is also above the national average. Similar to Washington, DC, the political significance of New York City and the higher cost of living likely contribute to the higher salaries for campaign managers.
States with High-Profile Political Races:
Campaign managers working on high-profile campaigns, such as presidential or gubernatorial races, often earn higher salaries due to the increased complexity and visibility of these campaigns. For example, Robby Mook, Hillary Clinton's campaign manager in 2015, earned an annual salary of about $121,000. Ben Carson's campaign manager, Barry Bennett, earned an annual salary of $210,000 around the same time.
Financial Services Industry:
Campaign managers working in the financial services industry can also command higher salaries. Top-paying companies in this sector include JPMorgan Chase & Co and Rocket Companies, which are known to offer competitive salaries for campaign managers.
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Highest-paying companies
The salaries of political campaign managers in the US vary widely, ranging from $11,201 to $298,169, with a median salary of $54,002. The middle 57% of political campaign managers make between $54,007 and $135,273, while the top 86% make $298,169. The average base salary for a political campaign manager is $72,057, with the total cash compensation, including base and annual incentives, ranging from $62,731 to $85,120, and an average of $72,674.
Some specific examples of salaries for campaign managers include:
- Robby Mook, Clinton's campaign manager, earned $121,000 per year in May, about $18,000 less than Clinton's campaign manager eight years prior.
- Patti Solis Doyle, Clinton's campaign manager eight years prior to 2015, earned $139,000.
- Jeff Weaver, Sanders' campaign manager, earned an annual salary of about $118,000.
- Frank Sadler, Fiorina's campaign manager, earned an annual salary of about $108,000.
- Barry Bennett, Carson's campaign manager, earned an annual salary of $210,000, although it is unclear how much of the total payments of $165,000 to his firm went towards his salary.
- Terry Sullivan, Marco Rubio's campaign manager, earned an annual salary of about $198,000.
- Roger Lau, Senator Elizabeth Warren's campaign manager, earned about $156,000 per year.
- Steve Abbott, Senator Susan Collins' longtime chief of staff and temporary campaign manager, earned $426,666 for his work on the 2020 campaign.
These salaries can be influenced by various factors, such as the level of government (federal, state, or local), the size and duration of the campaign, and the candidate's fundraising capabilities.
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How political campaign managers are paid
Political campaign managers' salaries can vary depending on the campaign and location. The average annual salary for a political campaign manager in the United States is around $72,000 as of February 2025, with salaries ranging from $53,500 to $94,400. However, some sources give a higher average of $75,000 and $102,000. Salaries can also vary depending on the level of government, with presidential campaigns often paying more. For example, Clinton's 2015 campaign manager was paid $121,000 per year, while top staffers for other campaigns earned similar salaries.
Campaign managers in certain cities may also earn higher salaries. For instance, the average salary for a campaign manager in Washington, DC, is $86,800 per year. Additionally, political campaign managers in New York City earn an average of $80,800 per year.
It is worth noting that some campaign managers are paid through their firms or LLCs, which can make it difficult to determine their exact salary. Super PACs, which are allowed to raise unlimited contributions from donors, may also pay higher salaries to campaign managers. For example, Bush's super PAC raised $103 million, significantly more than the $11.4 million raised by his official campaign, which is subject to donation limits.
Overall, political campaign managers' salaries can vary widely depending on various factors, including the campaign's budget, the level of government, and the location.
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Salaries of other top campaign staffers
The salaries of top campaign staffers vary depending on the campaign and the role. For example, in 2015, Clinton's campaign manager, Robby Mook, was paid an annual salary of $121,000. Other top Clinton staffers' salaries were similar, with communications director Jennifer Palmieri earning $133,000, finance director Dennis Cheng earning $114,000, national political director Amanda Renteria earning $115,000, and body woman Huma Abedin earning $109,000.
In the same year, some campaign managers for other candidates earned less. For instance, Sanders' campaign manager, Jeff Weaver, earned $118,000, while Fiorina's campaign manager, Frank Sadler, earned about $108,000. However, Cruz's political director, Mark Campbell, earned a higher salary of about $192,000.
It is worth noting that some campaigns pay their top staffers through firms or LLCs, which can make it challenging to determine the exact salary breakdown. Additionally, super PACs, which can raise unlimited contributions from donors, may offer higher compensation than official campaigns, which have donation limits.
The average salary for a campaign manager can vary depending on the source and the specific role. For example, the average salary for a "Political Campaign Manager" in the United States is $72,057, while the average for a "Campaign Manager" is $74,998, and $86,863 specifically in Washington, DC. However, Glassdoor reports a higher average salary of $102,003 for a "Campaign Manager" in the United States, with a range from $77,000 to $137,000.
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Frequently asked questions
The average annual salary for a political campaign manager in the United States is around $72,057, with salaries ranging from $53,546 to $94,423. However, some sources place the average salary at $74,998 or $102,003, with the highest salary for this role reaching $137,411.
Yes, salaries can vary depending on the location. For example, the average salary for a campaign manager in Washington, DC, is $86,863, while the average salary for a political campaign manager in New York City is $80,816.
Yes, salaries can vary depending on the candidate they are working for. For example, Rubio's campaign manager was reported to have a higher salary than other campaign managers, earning in the low six-figures. Similarly, Clinton's campaign manager eight years ago earned an annual salary of $139,000, while Clinton's campaign manager in 2015 earned around $121,000.
