Eleanor Finch
Political campaign workers' salaries can vary depending on several factors, including the campaign's budget, the worker's experience and skills, and the geographic location of the campaign. In the United States, the average annual salary for a political campaign worker is around $60,462, but this can range from approximately $32,404 for a Regional Director to $73,228 for a Campaign Manager. Hourly rates can vary from $12.67 for an Assistant to $32.17 for a Financial Advisor. It is worth noting that campaign workers' salaries can differ even for the same job title, and it is up to the individual campaigns to determine compensation for their staff.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average Salary of a Political Campaign Worker in the US | $60,462 per year |
| Average Salary of a Political Campaign Worker in New York | $20.57 per hour |
| Average Salary Range of a Political Campaign Worker | $32,404 - $73,228 per year |
| Average Hourly Rate Range of a Political Campaign Worker | $12.67 - $32.17 |
| Salary of Candidate A | $35,000 per year |
| Daily Rate of Candidate A | $96 per day |
| Salary of Candidate C | $60,000 per year |
| Daily Rate of Candidate C | $164 per day |
| Salary of Candidate B | $100,000 per year |
| Daily Rate of Candidate B | $238 per day |
| Salary of Steve Abbott | $426,666 for the entirety of his work on the 2020 campaign |
| Salary of Vanessa Moody | $135,468 per year |
| Additional Income of Vanessa Moody | $29,895 |
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What You'll Learn
Hourly rates for political campaign workers
The hourly rate for political campaign workers varies depending on their role and location. According to ZipRecruiter, as of February 2025, the national average hourly rate for political campaign staff is $20.57. However, this can differ based on the city and state. For example, Green River in Wyoming, San Mateo and San Francisco in California, offer above-average salaries for political campaign staff.
Indeed.com reports that the average hourly pay for political campaign assistants is $12.67, while financial advisors in the same field can earn approximately $32.17 per hour. These figures translate to an annual salary range of $32,404 for regional directors to $73,228 for campaign managers.
It is important to note that salaries can vary significantly even for similar job titles, depending on who they work for and the specific campaign. For instance, in 2020, Steve Abbott, the longtime chief of staff for Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, disclosed earning $426,666 for his work on her reelection campaign.
The FEC (Federal Election Commission) does not provide guidance on compensation for campaign workers, leaving it to individual campaigns to determine staff pay. However, there are rules and regulations regarding candidate salaries. 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. This compensation is calculated at a daily rate, such as $164 per day for a candidate with a five-year average income of $60,000.
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Salary based on location
The salary of a political campaign worker varies depending on location. In the United States, the average yearly salary for a political campaign worker is $60,462. However, salaries can vary significantly depending on the specific location within the US. For example, in New York, the average hourly wage for political campaign staff is $20.57, which is the highest out of all 50 states. Other cities with above-average salaries for political campaign staff include Green River, Wyoming, San Mateo, California, and San Francisco, California.
The salary for a political campaign worker can also depend on the specific role they have within a campaign. For instance, the average hourly pay for an assistant might be around $12.67, while a financial advisor could earn approximately $32.17 per hour. Similarly, a regional director may earn around $32,404 per year, while a campaign manager could make about $73,228 annually.
It is worth noting that the salary for political campaign workers is not standardized, and compensation is determined by the individual campaigns. As a result, salaries can vary widely, even for similar job titles. For example, a campaign worker for Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren's 2020 presidential campaign earned $70,014 combined from two campaigns in that year. In contrast, Steve Abbott, who managed Republican Sen. Susan Collins' 2020 reelection campaign, earned $426,666 for his work on that single campaign.
The salary for political campaign workers can also be influenced by their other sources of income. For instance, senior congressional staffers earning a minimum of $135,468 per year for their Capitol Hill jobs are allowed to earn up to $29,895 while also working on campaigns. This rule allows them to supplement their income while adhering to ethics guidelines. Therefore, when considering the salary of a political campaign worker, it is essential to take into account not only the location but also the specific role, the individual campaign's budget, and any other sources of income the worker may have.
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Salary of nonincumbent candidates
The salary of a political campaign worker in the United States varies depending on several factors, including the specific role, location, and the campaign's budget. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a political campaign worker in the US is $60,462 per year. However, salaries can range from approximately $32,404 per year for a Regional Director to $73,228 per year for a Campaign Manager, according to Indeed.com.
Location also plays a significant factor in the salary of political campaign workers. For example, New York ranks first out of 50 states for political campaign staff salaries, with an average hourly wage of $20.57, which is higher than the national average. Cities like Green River, Wyoming, San Mateo, California, and San Francisco, California, also offer above-average salaries for political campaign staff.
The experience and qualifications of the candidate also influence their salary. For instance, a financial advisor on a political campaign can earn up to $32.17 per hour, while an assistant might make around $12.67 per hour.
When it comes to nonincumbent candidates, their salary is regulated by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). A nonincumbent candidate may receive compensation from their principal campaign committee, but it is subject to certain conditions. The compensation cannot exceed 50% of the minimum annual salary paid to a Member of the US House of Representatives, regardless of the office sought. It is also limited to the average annual income the candidate earned during the most recent five calendar years before becoming a candidate. This daily rate is then rounded to the nearest dollar.
For example, if a nonincumbent candidate earned an average annual income of $35,000 in the five years before becoming a candidate, their daily rate would be $96 ($35,000/365, rounded to the nearest dollar). If the same candidate had earned an average of $60,000 during those five years, their daily rate would be $164 ($60,000/365). However, if they earn income from outside sources after filing their Statement of Candidacy, the maximum compensation they can receive from campaign funds must be reduced by that amount.
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Presidential campaign salaries
The salary of a political campaign worker varies depending on their role in the campaign, their location, and their experience. On average, political campaign staff in the US earn $8.17 per hour, but this varies significantly by location. For example, in New York, the average hourly rate for political campaign staff is $20.57, which is the highest in the country. In contrast, the average hourly wage in Green River, Wyoming, is not specified but is among the highest in the country.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for political campaign staff is $42,776, but this figure may not be accurate as it is not verified by employers. Indeed.com reports a similar range of salaries, with annual wages ranging from $32,404 for a Regional Director to $73,228 for a Campaign Manager. These figures are based on data from employees, users, and job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months.
It is important to note that salaries can also vary depending on the campaign's budget and the candidate's financial resources. Additionally, federal law prohibits candidates from receiving compensation from campaign funds unless they are a non-incumbent candidate. In such cases, their compensation is typically calculated based on their previous income and is subject to specific conditions and limits.
Overall, while there is no definitive answer to the salary of a political campaign worker, it appears that wages vary based on location, role, and experience, with some positions offering competitive salaries comparable to those in the private sector.
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Salary trajectory for political campaign workers
The salary of a political campaign worker varies depending on several factors, including location, job title, and the specific campaign they are working on.
Location
The salary of a political campaign worker can vary significantly depending on the location. For example, the salary for a political campaign staff job in New York is on average $0 per hour, which is $20.57 less than the national average hourly salary of $20.57. However, there are ten cities with average salaries higher than the national average, including Green River, Wyoming, and San Mateo and San Francisco, California. These cities offer higher salaries for political campaign staff, indicating that changing locations can be a strategy for economic advancement in this field.
Job Title
The job title and specific role within a political campaign can also impact the salary. According to Indeed.com, the average hourly pay for a political campaign assistant is approximately $12.67, while a financial advisor in the same field can earn around $32.17 per hour. Similarly, a regional director may earn an average annual salary of $32,404, while a campaign manager's salary could be significantly higher at $73,228 per year.
Campaign and Individual Factors
The salary of a political campaign worker can also depend on the specific campaign they are working for and the individual candidate's circumstances. Federal records show that campaign pay can vary widely. For example, a worker for Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign in 2020 earned $70,014 combined from two campaigns. In contrast, Steve Abbott, who managed Republican Senator Susan Collins' campaign in 2020, earned $426,666, indicating that salaries can vary significantly depending on the campaign and the role.
Additionally, it is worth noting that congressional staffers working on campaigns part-time while still holding their Capitol Hill or congressional district jobs have salary caps. Senior congressional staffers earning a minimum of $135,468 annually for their Capitol Hill jobs are allowed to earn no more than $29,895 from campaign work, according to ethics rules.
Overall, the salary trajectory for political campaign workers depends on various factors, and it is important to consider location, job title, and the specific campaign when evaluating earning potential in this field.
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Frequently asked questions
The average salary for a political campaign worker in the US is $60,462 per year. However, salaries can vary depending on location and the specific campaign. For example, the average salary for a political campaign staff member in New York is $20.57 per hour, which is higher than the national average hourly salary of $20.57.
The salary of a political campaign worker can depend on various factors, including the campaign's budget, the worker's experience and skills, and the location of the campaign. Additionally, the specific role within the campaign can also affect salary, with certain positions earning higher wages than others.
There are no specific government guidelines on how much campaigns should pay their workers. The campaigns have the autonomy to determine the compensation for their staff members. However, there are House and Senate ethics committee rules that staffers must follow if they want to take on two jobs simultaneously. For example, they are not allowed to take campaign-related calls from congressional offices and must step outside to do so.
