Simone Lawson
Political campaign field managers' salaries vary depending on location, skill level, and years of experience. In the United States, the average annual salary for a political campaign manager is around $72,057, with salaries ranging from $53,546 to $94,423. However, salaries can vary widely, with some campaign managers earning as little as $38,000 or as much as $426,666. Factors such as the level of government (local, state, or federal) and the success of the campaign can also influence earnings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average Annual Salary | $72,057 |
| Salary Range | $53,546 - $94,423 |
| Average Base Salary | $62,367 - $83,764 |
| Total Cash Compensation | $62,731 - $85,120 |
| Average Hourly Pay | $12.67 - $32.17 |
| Average Yearly Pay | $32,404 - $73,228 |
| Median Income | $58,000 |
| Highest Income | $426,666 |
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What You'll Learn
Salaries vary depending on location and experience
The salary of a political campaign field manager varies depending on location and experience. The average annual salary for a political campaign manager in the United States is $72,057, with a range of $53,546 to $94,423. The base salary typically falls between $62,367 and $83,764, while the total cash compensation, including annual incentives, can be anywhere from $62,731 to $85,120.
Location plays a significant factor in salary variations, with New York ranking as the top state for political campaign staff salaries. The average hourly wage in New York is $20.57, which is higher than the national average. Moving to a different location can offer economic advancement, as evident in the top ten cities with higher salaries than the national average.
Experience and skill level also influence earnings. The median income for a campaign manager in the United States is $58,000, with a maximum of $90,000 for a successful campaign and a minimum of $38,000 for a less successful one. The hourly wages for political campaign staff across the United States range from $8.17 to $42.55, with the 25th percentile earning $13.70 and the 75th percentile earning $23.32.
It is worth noting that federal records show significant variations in campaign pay. For example, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren paid her campaign manager, Roger Lau, approximately $13,000 per month, resulting in an annualized salary of $156,000. Additionally, Republican Senator Mitt Romney paid his 2018 campaign manager, Matthew Waldrip, $150,000. These examples highlight how salaries can differ based on the specific campaign and the individual's negotiating power.
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Campaign managers can be paid volunteers
The role of a campaign manager in a political campaign is to coordinate the campaign's operations, such as fundraising, advertising, polling, and getting out the vote. Campaign managers can be paid or volunteer individuals. While the pay can be quite high for some, with salaries ranging from $53,546 to $94,423 and an average annual salary of $72,057, there are also those who volunteer their time and services to help a friend or family member's campaign.
Campaign managers are often the most visible leader of the campaign after the candidate themselves. The role can be demanding, requiring a range of skills and the ability to execute strategy. For this reason, many campaigns are willing to pay a premium for experienced managers. For example, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts paid her campaign manager, Roger Lau, about $13,000 a month, which amounts to an annual salary of $156,000.
On the other hand, volunteering as a campaign manager can be a way to gain experience and build a resume, especially for those interested in politics but not yet established in the field. It can also be a way to support a cause or candidate that one believes in. Some people may have full-time jobs in other fields and choose to volunteer their time and expertise to a campaign on the side.
The decision to pay or volunteer as a campaign manager likely depends on a variety of factors, including the campaign's budget, the individual's experience and skill level, and their personal connection to the candidate or cause. While there is no standard expectation for payment, campaigns have the freedom to determine how much they compensate staff members, and this can vary widely depending on the campaign and the individual's role.
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Pay can depend on the success of the campaign
The pay of a political campaign field manager can vary depending on the success of the campaign. For example, Steve Abbott, who managed Senator Collins' successful 2020 re-election campaign, earned $426,666 for his work. In contrast, Jordan Doufexis earned $47,500 for his work as a new media manager for Tommy Tuberville's successful 2020 campaign. The median income for a campaign manager in the United States is $58,000, with a higher salary of $90,000 if the campaign is victorious.
Campaign managers can also earn bonuses if their campaign is successful. For example, a campaign manager might receive a bonus of up to two months' salary if their candidate wins. Additionally, some campaign managers may be volunteers who are not paid a salary but are motivated by their passion for the candidate or cause.
The pay for political campaign staff can vary greatly depending on skill level, location, and years of experience. For example, hourly wages for political campaign staff can range from $8.17 to $42.55, with a median of $20.57. The average base salary for a political campaign manager is $72,057, but this can range from $53,546 to $94,423 depending on various factors.
The FEC does not provide guidance on how much campaigns should pay their workers, so compensation can vary significantly from campaign to campaign. For example, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren paid her campaign manager, Roger Lau, about $13,000 per month, which amounts to an annual salary of $156,000. In contrast, Republican Senator Mitt Romney paid his 2018 campaign manager, Matthew Waldrip, $150,000 for his work on the campaign.
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Federal records show how much campaign pay can vary
Federal records show that campaign pay can vary significantly, with various factors influencing the salary of a political campaign manager. For instance, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who ran for president in 2020, paid her campaign manager, Roger Lau, approximately $13,000 per month, which amounts to an annual salary of $156,000. In contrast, Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah paid his 2018 campaign manager, Matthew Waldrip, a total of $150,000 for his work on the campaign.
Campaign manager salaries can also vary depending on the location. For example, in February 2025, the average annual salary for a Political Campaign Manager in the United States was $72,057, with a range of $53,546 to $94,423. However, the average base salary ranged from $62,367 to $83,764, while the total cash compensation, including annual incentives, could be as high as $85,120.
The median income for a campaign manager in the United States is $58,000, with a maximum of $90,000 and a minimum of $38,000. It is worth noting that some campaign managers may even work as volunteers, indicating that campaign management can be a passion project for some individuals.
Additionally, congressional staff who join campaigns can boost their taxpayer-funded incomes. For example, Steve Abbott, who managed Sen. Susan Collins' successful 2020 re-election campaign, earned $426,666 for his work, as disclosed in his annual personal financial document filed with the US Senate. Abbott's earnings included a $52,302 payment on Election Day, a significant increase from his 2014 campaign manager salary of $109,385.
The pay for political campaign staff also varies across different states. In February 2025, the hourly wages for political campaign staff ranged from a low of $8.17 to a high of $42.55, with the majority of wages falling between $13.70 and $23.32 across the United States. New York ranked as the top state for political campaign staff salaries, with an average hourly wage of $20.57.
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Campaign staff salaries are higher in certain cities
Campaign staff salaries are highly variable, and certain cities offer higher salaries for campaign staff. As of February 2025, the average annual salary for a political campaign manager in the United States is $72,057, with a base salary range of $62,367 to $83,764. However, salaries can vary depending on location, with some cities offering higher wages.
New York, for example, ranks first out of 50 states for political campaign staff salaries, with wages as high as $42.55 per hour. Other cities, such as Green River, WY, and Santa Rosa, CA, also offer competitive salaries for campaign staff, with only a 7% difference in average pay between these two locations.
The salary for campaign staff can also depend on the specific role and the campaign's budget. For instance, a financial advisor on a political campaign can earn up to $32.17 per hour, while an assistant may make around $12.67 per hour. Additionally, campaign managers tend to earn more, with salaries ranging from $58,000 to $156,000 annually, and in some cases, even reaching $426,666, as in the case of Steve Abbott's work for the Collins campaign in 2020.
It is worth noting that campaign staff salaries are not regulated by any governmental body, and campaigns have the autonomy to determine compensation for their staff. This can result in significant variations in pay, as evident in the salaries disclosed by different campaigns. For example, Mitt Romney's campaign manager in 2018, Matthew Waldrip, earned $150,000, while Jordan Doufexis, the new media manager for Tommy Tuberville's campaign in 2020, made $47,500.
Therefore, when considering a role in campaign staff, it is essential to factor in the location, specific job title, and the campaign's budget to maximize economic advancement opportunities.
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Frequently asked questions
The salary of a political campaign field manager varies depending on location, experience, and the level of the campaign. For example, the average annual salary for a Campaign Manager in the United States is $72,057, with salaries ranging from $53,546 to $94,423. The median income is $58,000, with some managers earning as much as $426,666 or $150,000. In some cases, the role may be voluntary.
The salary of a political campaign field manager can depend on various factors, including location, skill level, and years of experience. For example, New York ranks as the top state for Political Campaign Staff salaries.
The salary of a political campaign field manager is similar to that of an Insurance Program Manager, Instrument Engineer, or Head of Cyber Security.
In some cases, political campaign field managers may receive bonuses or additional compensation. For example, they may receive a bonus of up to two months' salary if their candidate wins. However, this is not guaranteed and may depend on the specific campaign and its budget.
The salary of a political campaign field manager can vary significantly compared to other staff members on the campaign. For example, a financial advisor on a political campaign may earn an hourly wage of $32.17, while an assistant may earn $12.67 per hour. The campaign's budget and priorities will determine staff compensation.
