Isabella Carter
Political campaign staff salaries vary depending on the role, experience, and location. In the United States, the average yearly salary for a political campaign worker is around $60,000 to $70,000, with hourly wages ranging from $8.17 to $42.55. Certain positions, like campaign managers, can earn higher salaries, with a range of $53,000 to $97,000 per year. The pay for political campaign staff also depends on the specific campaign and its budget, with some campaigns offering higher salaries and additional benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average hourly rate | $20.57 |
| Hourly rate range | $8.17–$42.55 |
| Average yearly salary | $42,776, $60,462, $71,332 |
| Yearly salary range | $53,000–$97,000 |
| Average salary for a non-field employee | $59,307.69 |
| Average salary for a field employee | $45,554.95 |
| Average salary for a Campaign Manager | $50,000, $73,228 |
| Average salary for a Regional Director | $32,404 |
| Average salary for a Financial Advisor | $32.17 per hour |
| Average salary for a White House employee | $82,844 |
| Median salary for a White House employee | $70,000 |
| Maximum salary for a White House administrative staffer | $180,000 |
| Minimum salary for a White House employee | $48,000 |
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Hourly rates
The hourly rates of political campaign staff can vary depending on various factors such as skill level, location, and years of experience, and specific job roles. According to ZipRecruiter, hourly wages for political campaign staff can range from as low as $8.17 to as high as $42.55, with the majority of wages falling between $13.70 (25th percentile) and $23.32 (75th percentile) across the United States.
Indeed.com provides a similar range, with average hourly pay for political campaign staff ranging from approximately $12.67 for assistant roles to $32.17 for financial advisors. Campaign managers, who are responsible for coordinating campaign operations, can expect an average hourly rate of $33, with salaries ranging from $29 to $38 per hour, according to Salary.com.
It is worth noting that campaign pay can sometimes exceed Capitol Hill pay. For example, an individual working as a new media manager for a successful campaign in 2020 made $47,500, and their salary increased to $121,889 when they later took on a role on Capitol Hill. Additionally, senior-level campaign-only work for a year or less can pay more than a comparable duration in a congressional job.
The variability in compensation is also influenced by the lack of standardized guidelines. The FEC (Federal Election Commission) and other governmental bodies do not provide specific instructions to campaigns regarding staff compensation. As a result, campaigns have the autonomy to determine how much they pay their staff members, leading to a wide range of salaries across different campaigns.
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Annual salaries
The annual salaries of political campaign staff can vary depending on various factors such as skill level, location, and years of experience, and the specific role within the campaign. While there is no standard salary guideline provided by the FEC or other governmental bodies, campaigns have the autonomy to determine the compensation for their staff members.
According to ZipRecruiter, as of February 2025, the hourly wages for political campaign staff can range from $8.17 to $42.55 across the United States, with the majority falling between $13.70 (25th percentile) and $23.32 (75th percentile). The average hourly pay can differ based on the specific role, with assistants earning approximately $12.67 per hour and financial advisors earning up to $32.17 per hour.
On an annual basis, the salaries of political campaign managers, who are responsible for coordinating the campaign's operations, can range from $53,546 to $94,423. The average base salary for this position is approximately $72,057, with total cash compensation, including annual incentives, reaching up to $85,120.
It is worth noting that the salaries of campaign staff can also be influenced by the candidate's compensation rules. Nonincumbent candidates may receive compensation from their principal campaign committee, but it must not exceed 50% of the minimum annual salary paid to a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, which is currently $174,000 per year. This compensation is calculated based on the candidate's average annual income over the most recent five calendar years.
Additionally, it is common for congressional staff to receive additional income by temporarily leaving their government jobs to work on campaigns. For example, Steve Abbott, a longtime chief of staff, disclosed earning $426,666 for his work on a 2020 campaign.
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Highest-paid roles
The salary of a political campaign staff member can vary depending on various factors, including skill level, location, and years of experience. The average salary for a political campaign worker in the United States is around $60,000 to $70,000 per year, with the highest-paid roles being that of consultants and managers.
Consultants
Consultants in political campaigns can earn significantly higher salaries compared to other roles. For example, during the Trump campaign, consultants in various fields commanded high salaries. The highest-paid consultants in the Trump campaign were in legal and strategy roles, earning up to $2,900,000 and $1,700,000 respectively. Other consultant roles, such as event planning, communications, and fundraising, also earned substantial salaries, ranging from $300,000 to $1,500,000.
Campaign Managers
Campaign managers are among the highest-paid roles in political campaigns. The salary for this position can range from $50,000 to $73,228 per year, depending on various factors. Some sources even suggest that campaign managers can earn up to $97,239 per year, making it one of the highest-paid positions in the political campaign industry.
Business Operations Managers
Business operations managers are high-ranking executives who make strategic decisions for campaigns. This role typically requires a master's degree and years of experience. The average salary for a business operations manager is about $122,000 per year.
Political Scientists
Political scientists study the origin and operations of political systems, and their expertise is highly valued in political campaigns. The average salary for a political scientist is approximately $112,250. However, it is worth noting that the pay growth for this profession is expected to slow down due to an increasing number of candidates in the job market.
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Lowest-paid roles
The pay for political campaign staff can vary greatly depending on the role, location, and experience level. While the average salary for a political campaign worker in the United States is around $60,000 to $70,000 per year, there are some roles that fall on either end of the spectrum.
Among the lowest-paid roles in political campaigns are assistants, who earn an average of $12.67 per hour, according to Indeed.com. This equates to an annual salary of approximately $26,000, assuming a 40-hour workweek. Regional directors are also towards the lower end of the pay scale, with an average yearly salary of $32,404. These roles often involve significant responsibilities and can be a stepping stone to higher-paying positions.
In addition to these roles, there are other positions within political campaigns that may offer lower starting salaries. For example, entry-level positions such as interns or volunteers may receive little to no compensation, gaining experience and building their resumes instead. These positions can, however, lead to more advanced roles within the campaign or in future campaigns.
It is worth noting that the cost of living in a particular location can also impact the salaries offered to campaign staff. For instance, while the average salary for a political campaign staff member in New York is $20.57 per hour, this may be due to the higher cost of living in that state. Conversely, a campaign staff member in a city with a lower cost of living may earn a lower salary but maintain a similar or better standard of living.
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Salaries by location
The salary of a political campaign staffer in the United States can vary greatly depending on location, skill level, and years of experience. While there is no guidance from the FEC or any other governmental body on how much campaigns should pay their workers, data shows that salaries can differ significantly across states.
In New York, the average hourly wage for political campaign staff is $20.57, which ranks the state as number one out of 50 states nationwide for these salaries. This is significantly higher than the national average, indicating that location plays a crucial role in determining the salaries of political campaign staff.
In other states, the hourly wages for political campaign staff can range from as low as $8.17 to as high as $42.55, with the majority of wages falling between $13.70 (25th percentile) and $23.32 (75th percentile). These numbers suggest that there is room for advancement and pay increases based on skill level, experience, and location.
Additionally, it is worth noting that campaign pay, which is funded by private donors and special interests, can sometimes exceed Capitol Hill pay, which is taxpayer-funded. For example, Abbott's chief of staff for Collins earned a salary of $169,459, which is almost as much as the senator's federal lawmaker salary. Similarly, Ali Black's salary as press secretary for Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming increased by at least $46,000 when she worked on the Trump campaign.
Overall, while there is no standard salary for political campaign staff across the United States, location plays a significant role in determining wages, with some states offering higher hourly rates than others.
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Frequently asked questions
On average, political campaign staff in the US make $60,462 per year, with estimates ranging from $42,776 to $71,332.
Campaign Managers can expect to make $50,000 to $73,228 per year.
A Regional Director can expect to make $32,404 per year.
Consultant salaries vary depending on their role. For example, a research consultant can make $300,000, while a legal consultant can make $2,900,000.
The average salary for a White House staffer is $82,844, with a median of $70,000.
