Eleanor Finch
Working in political campaigns can be a lucrative career choice, with salaries varying depending on the role, location, and level of experience. Campaign staff salaries are funded by private donors and special interests, and can sometimes exceed the pay for comparable roles in Congress. While there is no standard guidance on campaign staff pay, various sources indicate that the average annual salary for a political campaign staff member in the US is around $42,000 to $60,000, with hourly wages ranging from $8 to over $40. Senior roles can command salaries of over $100,000, and some campaign staff choose to work part-time while holding down other jobs, including in Congress. For those starting out, it is common to work as a volunteer, which can provide valuable connections for future career advancement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average hourly pay for a Political Campaign Staff | $20.57 |
| Hourly wages as high as | $42.55 |
| Hourly wages as low as | $8.17 |
| Average Political Campaign salary | $58,171 |
| Average Political Campaign salary range | $32,404 - $73,228 |
| Chief-of-staff salary | $169,459 |
| Press secretary salary | $86,011 |
| Trump campaign press secretary salary | $46,000 |
| Senior congressional staffers earning minimum | $135,468 |
| Senior congressional staffers working on campaigns | $29,895 |
| Presidential Election Campaign Fund contribution | $3 |
| U.S. presidential campaigns raised and spent | $4.1 billion |
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What You'll Learn
Salary depends on the campaign and staff members' skills and experience
Salary in political campaigns can vary depending on the specific campaign and the skills and experience of staff members. While there is no standard salary structure, factors such as the role, location, and seniority of the position can influence earnings.
Campaigns are funded by private donors, special interests, and taxpayers, and the pay for campaign staff is determined by the campaigns themselves, with no guidance from the FEC or other governmental bodies. As a result, salaries can vary significantly. For example, salaries for campaign staff in the United States ranged from $8.17 to $42.55 per hour in February 2025, with an average of $20.57 per hour.
The type of role within a political campaign can also impact earnings. For instance, according to Indeed.com, hourly pay rates for different positions within a campaign range from $12.67 for an Assistant to $32.17 for a Financial Advisor. Similarly, annual salaries can vary, with Regional Directors earning an average of $32,404, while Campaign Managers can make up to $73,228 per year.
In addition to the specific role, the location of the campaign can also influence salary levels. For example, Green River, WY, San Mateo, CA, and San Francisco, CA, are cities that offer above-average salaries for political campaign staff.
The experience and skills of staff members also play a role in determining their earnings. Campaigns often value individuals with prior campaign experience or policy-related expertise. Senior-level positions, which typically require more experience and expertise, can command higher salaries. For example, Abbott's chief of staff earned $169,459, nearly as much as the senator herself, and some senior congressional staffers earning a minimum of $135,468 per year for their Capitol Hill jobs are allowed to earn up to $29,895 working on campaigns.
Furthermore, working on a political campaign can provide valuable connections and opportunities for career advancement, which can impact future earnings. Some individuals may even choose to work as volunteers on campaigns to gain experience and build their network, which can lead to paid positions or other career benefits down the line.
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Campaign work can be done alongside a day job or as a full-time role
Campaign work can be a full-time role or a side hustle, depending on your circumstances and preferences. It is a common practice for congressional staffers to work on campaigns part-time while still holding their Capitol Hill or congressional district jobs. Some take weeks or months off from their regular jobs to devote themselves fully to campaigns, while others work a double shift, first at their day job, and then they head to campaign headquarters to put in a few hours of work.
Campaign work is often demanding, and earning extra cash requires taking on added responsibilities and navigating new ethical standards. For instance, there are rules about what staffers are and are not allowed to do if they want to take on two jobs. They cannot take campaign-related calls from congressional offices, so they may have to step outside to take such calls.
Campaign work is also a great way to gain connections that will pay off later in your career, especially if you have political aspirations. It is a foot in the door and can lead to more prominent positions. Campaign personnel are often overburdened, so showing up and being willing to work hard at whatever is required can go a long way.
Campaign pay, which is funded by private donors and special interests, can sometimes exceed Capitol Hill pay, which is taxpayer-funded. For example, Ali Black, who worked as press secretary for Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, made $86,011 in that role. However, she boosted her salary by at least $46,000 when she worked for the Trump campaign. 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 per hour. The average Political Campaign salary ranges from approximately $32,404 per year for a Regional Director to $73,228 per year for a Campaign Manager.
If you are interested in getting into campaign work, you should prepare a resume that emphasizes any political or campaign experience and a succinct cover letter stating what you would like to do on the campaign and how flexible you are. Networking is also a crucial way to obtain a job in the political field.
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Campaign pay is funded by private donors and special interests
Political campaigns are funded through a variety of sources, including private donors, special interest groups, and taxpayers. In the United States, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) administers the laws regarding the public funding of presidential elections. While the FEC provides no guidance on campaign staff pay, under the presidential public funding program, eligible presidential candidates receive federal funds to cover qualified campaign expenses. Taxpayers can also choose to contribute $3 to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund through their tax returns, which then goes towards funding eligible presidential candidates.
Private donors play a significant role in funding political campaigns. In the United States, individuals can contribute to campaigns, and there are no restrictions on the amount they can donate. This has led to criticism that large donors have too much influence over political campaigns. To address this, there are proposals to implement "small donor public financing," where public funds are used to match and multiply small donations. Additionally, there are rules prohibiting corporations, labor unions, and membership groups from directly contributing to federal campaigns. Instead, they can form political action committees (PACs) to raise and spend money on campaigns, and these PACs are subject to federal contribution limits.
Special interest groups also contribute significantly to political campaigns. These groups can be represented by PACs, which solicit donations from members to fund campaign contributions or activities. Super PACs, in particular, have been criticized for allowing the "very wealthy" to spend unlimited amounts of money on campaigns, effectively drowning out the voices of ordinary citizens.
Overall, the pay for campaign staff is funded by a combination of private donors, special interest groups, and taxpayers. The specific sources of funding depend on the campaign and the regulations in place at the state and federal levels.
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Campaign staff salaries vary depending on location
The salary for campaign staff can also depend on the specific campaign and the candidate's popularity. For instance, it may be easier to secure a prominent position with a less popular candidate than with the frontrunner. Additionally, the salary can be influenced by the level of experience, skill set, and the specific role within the campaign.
Campaign work is often funded by private donors and special interests, which can result in higher pay than Capitol Hill positions, which are taxpayer-funded. However, there are ethical considerations and rules in place regarding salary caps and what staffers can and cannot do if they take on campaign work in addition to their congressional jobs.
According to ZipRecruiter, as of February 2025, the average hourly pay for political campaign staff in the United States is $20.57, with wages ranging from $8.17 to $42.55 per hour. The average yearly salary for a political campaign staff position can range from $32,404 for a Regional Director to $73,228 for a Campaign Manager.
It is worth noting that some individuals may choose to work on campaigns for free to gain connections and experience, which can lead to paid opportunities later on. Networking is often crucial to obtaining a paid position within the political field.
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Campaign staff experience a gender pay gap
Political campaign staff in the United States are paid an average of $20.57 per hour. Hourly wages can be as high as $42.55 and as low as $8.17. However, these figures vary widely depending on skill level, location, and years of experience. For example, the average annual salary for a political campaign staff member in Green River, Wyoming, is $51,769, while in San Francisco, California, it is $49,216.
While there is limited research on gender disparities in political campaigns, available data from congressional campaigns between 2010 and 2016 indicates significant gender gaps in both staffing and compensation. These gaps are influenced by partisanship, candidate gender, and incumbency status.
Some commentators attribute the gender pay gap in political campaigns to individual choices and preferences rather than institutional discrimination. They argue that women tend to choose lower-paying fields of study and that this contributes to earning disparities. However, others point to the broader patterns of pay gaps and staffing disparities in political campaigns, with women reporting less compensation and fewer opportunities, particularly in prominent positions.
It is worth noting that campaign pay is determined by the campaigns themselves, with no guidance from the FEC or other governmental bodies. This lack of standardized pay structures may contribute to the gender pay gap, as individual campaigns set compensation levels that may inadvertently perpetuate gender disparities.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of money one can make working in political campaigns varies depending on the role, location, and level of experience. In the United States, the average hourly pay for a political campaign staff member is $20.57, with wages ranging from as low as $8.17 to as high as $42.55. The average yearly salary for a political campaign staff member is $42,776, but this can range from $32,404 for a Regional Director to $73,228 for a Campaign Manager.
Campaign workers' salaries are determined by the individual campaigns and can vary widely. Campaign pay is often funded by private donors and special interests, while Capitol Hill pay is funded by taxpayers and subject to salary caps. Seniority and experience can also impact earnings, with senior congressional staffers earning a minimum of $135,468 per year and being allowed to earn up to $29,895 working on campaigns.
Yes, there are ethical considerations regarding campaign work and pay. Some staffers may take time off from their Capitol Hill jobs to focus on campaigns, while others work on campaigns part-time or after hours. Good government groups have expressed concern about staffers prioritizing campaigns over their congressional work due to higher financial incentives. Additionally, there are rules in place regarding what staffers can and cannot do if they hold two jobs, such as not taking campaign-related calls from congressional offices.
Campaign funding comes from individuals, political party committees, and political action committees (PACs). Corporations, labor organizations, and membership groups cannot contribute directly to federal campaigns but can form PACs to influence elections. Campaign finance laws vary at the state and federal levels, and there are limits on campaign fundraising and spending. The popularity of the candidate and the competitiveness of the environment can also impact funding, as popular candidates may attract more donations.
Working on political campaigns can provide valuable connections and experience, especially for those with political or legal aspirations. Some campaigns offer support to volunteers, such as campaign housing or access to a campaign vehicle, which can reduce living costs. Certain roles may also cover travel expenses. Additionally, campaign work can be a way to boost one's income, especially for those already working in congressional jobs.
