Omar Bennett
Campaign managers are responsible for running high-level political campaigns, and their salaries can vary depending on various factors such as location, education, and experience, and the industry they work in. In the United States, the average salary for a campaign manager ranges from $48,255 for entry-level positions to $112,000 for more experienced managers. Salaries can also differ based on the specific campaign and the candidate's funding sources, with some campaign managers earning as much as $198,000 annually. Additionally, it is worth noting that campaign managers in certain states, such as Nevada, Delaware, and Massachusetts, tend to earn higher salaries compared to other states.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average salary | $78,890 per year or $38 per hour |
| Highest average salary by state | Nevada |
| Lowest average salary by state | Alabama, Oklahoma, and South Carolina |
| Highest-paying cities | Boston, MA, Richmond, VA, and Richmond, CA |
| Highest-paying industries | Technology |
| Lowest-paying industries | Non-profits |
| Highest salary | $198,000 (Marco Rubio's campaign manager, Terry Sullivan) |
| Lowest salary | $32,000 |
| Factors influencing salary | Location, education, experience, and industry |
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What You'll Learn
- Campaign manager salaries vary based on location, experience and industry
- Campaign managers are paid by private donors, special interests and political campaigns
- Salaries for campaign managers range from $45k to $210k per year
- Campaign managers are paid directly or through their firms
- Campaign managers can increase their pay by changing employers, gaining advanced degrees or managing more junior staff
Campaign manager salaries vary based on location, experience and industry
Campaign managers are typically associated with running high-level political campaigns. However, many companies that run large-scale advertising promotions campaigns also hire campaign managers. The role of a campaign manager involves developing, planning, coordinating, and executing large-scale initiatives, as well as monitoring their effectiveness through data collection and making necessary adjustments.
Campaign manager salaries can vary depending on several factors, including location, experience, and industry. Firstly, location plays a significant role in determining campaign manager salaries. For instance, in the United States, the average annual salary for a campaign manager is around $72,057, with a range of $53,546 to $94,423. In contrast, a campaign manager in Toronto may start with a salary of $40,000.
Experience is another critical factor influencing campaign manager salaries. Entry-level campaign managers with less than a year of experience can expect an average salary of about $48,255. As campaign managers gain more experience, their earning potential increases. For example, campaign managers with 1-4 years of experience can earn an average of $65,986. Those with even more experience and advanced degrees can further increase their income and qualify for promotions.
Additionally, the industry in which campaign managers work can also impact their salaries. Campaign managers in the political realm, particularly at the presidential level, often earn higher salaries. For instance, presidential campaign managers like Terry Sullivan and Robby Mook have earned annual salaries of $198,000 and $121,000, respectively. On the other hand, campaign managers in the private sector may have varying salaries depending on the industry. For example, the top-paying industries for campaign managers in the United States include financial services, telecommunications, information technology, and retail and wholesale. In these sectors, campaign managers can expect median total pay ranging from $77,989 to $129,750.
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Campaign managers are paid by private donors, special interests and political campaigns
Campaign managers are typically paid by the campaigns they work for, which are funded by private donors and special interests. The salary of a campaign manager can vary depending on various factors, including the level of experience, education, location, and the type of campaign.
Campaign managers working on political campaigns, such as presidential or congressional races, tend to have their salaries influenced by the available funds from donors and the campaign's overall budget. For example, during the 2020 election cycle, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts paid her campaign manager, Roger Lau, approximately $156,000 annually. In contrast, Marco Rubio's campaign manager, Terry Sullivan, earned about $198,000 per year, as reported by the Florida senator's Federal Election Commission filing.
The pay for campaign managers can also differ based on the industry they work in. Campaign managers in the technology industry, for instance, earn an average salary of $86,390, while those in the finance industry make an average of $76,634. The non-profit sector offers a lower average salary of $64,431 for campaign managers.
Additionally, a campaign manager's income can be influenced by their level of experience and education. Those with advanced degrees and more experience managing junior campaign managers tend to have higher earning potential. For instance, a campaign manager with prior experience working on a senator's campaigns and in their congressional office may command a higher salary, as seen in the case of Roger Lau.
While most campaign managers are paid directly by the campaigns they work for, there are instances where top staffers are paid through their firms or LLCs. This was observed in the campaigns of Ted Cruz and Ben Carson, where their campaign managers were paid through separate entities, making it challenging to determine their exact salary amounts.
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Salaries for campaign managers range from $45k to $210k per year
Campaign managers' salaries can vary widely depending on the industry, location, level of experience, and education. According to Zippia, the average salary for a campaign manager in the United States typically falls between $67,712 and $108,126 per year. However, salaries can range from as low as $45,000 to as high as $210,000 annually.
Entry-level campaign managers with less than a year of experience can expect to earn an average of $48,255 per year. As campaign managers gain more experience, their salaries tend to increase. Early-career campaign managers with 1-4 years of experience can earn an average of $65,986 per year. The average salary for all campaign managers across industries is $78,890 per year, as of December 2024.
The industry in which a campaign manager works also has a significant impact on their salary. Campaign managers in the technology industry earn the highest average salary, with a mean annual wage of $86,390. In contrast, campaign managers in the non-profit sector earn an average of $64,431 per year, the lowest of any industry.
Additionally, the location of the job influences the salary of a campaign manager. Nevada, Delaware, and Massachusetts offer the highest average salaries for campaign managers, while Alabama, Oklahoma, and South Carolina have the lowest. Boston, Richmond (VA), and Richmond (CA) are the highest-paying cities for campaign managers.
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Campaign managers are paid directly or through their firms
Campaign managers are typically paid directly or through their firms, and their salaries can vary depending on various factors such as location, education, experience, and the industry they work in.
On some campaigns, top staffers, including campaign managers, are paid through their firms rather than being directly on a campaign's payroll. For example, Ted Cruz's campaign paid Jeff Roe, the campaign manager, and Sarah Hoeller, the director of operations, through their firm, Axiom Strategies. Similarly, Ben Carson's campaign paid most of its top staffers through their firms and LLCs. Carson's campaign manager, Barry Bennett, earned an annual salary of $210,000, but it is unclear how much of the payments made to his firm, Synovation Solutions, were specifically for his salary.
Campaign managers who are paid directly by the campaign can also earn a wide range of salaries. For instance, Roger Lau, the campaign manager for Elizabeth Warren's 2020 presidential campaign, earned $156,000 annually. In contrast, Jordan Doufexis, the new media manager for Tommy Tuberville's 2020 campaign, made $47,500. Terry Sullivan, Marco Rubio's campaign manager, earned an annual salary of about $198,000, while Rand Paul's campaign manager, Chip Englander, earned about $129,000 annually.
The average salary for a campaign manager in the United States falls between $67,712 and $108,126 per year, with the average being $78,890. However, salaries can vary significantly depending on the industry. For example, campaign managers in the technology industry earn an average of $86,390, while those in the finance industry make $76,634, and those in the non-profit industry earn $64,431 on average. Additionally, campaign managers in certain states tend to earn higher salaries, with Nevada, Delaware, and Massachusetts having the highest average salaries, while Alabama, Oklahoma, and South Carolina have the lowest.
Campaign managers can also increase their income potential by gaining advanced degrees, which can lead to promotions and higher-paying positions. Managing experience, particularly overseeing more junior campaign managers, can also impact a campaign manager's salary, making them more likely to earn a higher income.
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Campaign managers can increase their pay by changing employers, gaining advanced degrees or managing more junior staff
Campaign managers can increase their pay by changing employers, gaining advanced degrees, or managing more junior staff. Salaries for campaign managers can vary widely, with some earning as little as $32,000 per year, while others make nearly $200,000 annually. The average salary for a campaign manager is around $65,000 to $70,000 per year, but this can depend on factors such as experience, education, and the specific industry.
Changing employers can be an effective way to increase pay, as different organizations may value the skills of a campaign manager differently. For example, campaign managers in the political sphere tend to earn higher salaries than those in other industries. Campaign managers working on political campaigns can earn salaries ranging from $53,000 to $198,000 per year, with an average of around $72,000. Additionally, salaries can vary depending on the level of the campaign, with presidential campaign managers often earning more than those working on smaller-scale campaigns.
Gaining advanced degrees can also increase a campaign manager's earning potential. Higher education may lead to promotions and higher-paying roles. For example, a campaign manager with a master's degree or PhD may be more likely to qualify for senior-level positions, which typically come with higher salaries.
Managing more junior staff can also impact a campaign manager's salary. Those with oversight responsibilities tend to earn more than those who do not. This is because overseeing junior campaign managers requires additional skills and experience, which are often rewarded with higher pay.
Overall, campaign managers can increase their pay by making strategic career moves, investing in their education, and taking on additional responsibilities. By changing employers, gaining advanced degrees, and managing more junior staff, campaign managers can significantly impact their earning potential.
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Frequently asked questions
The salary of a campaign manager can vary depending on location, education, and experience. In 2024, the average salary for a campaign manager was $78,890 per year in the United States. In 2025, the average salary is expected to be $69,409. However, salaries can range from $45,000 to $198,000 per year.
The salary of a campaign manager is typically paid by the campaign they are working for. In the case of political campaigns, the salary is often funded by private donors and special interests.
The salary of a campaign manager can be influenced by several factors, including location, education, and experience. Campaign managers in certain states, such as Nevada, Delaware, and Massachusetts, tend to earn higher salaries. Additionally, campaign managers with advanced degrees or those who oversee more junior staff may also earn higher salaries.
Yes, the technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries to campaign managers, with an average salary of $86,390. Other industries that offer competitive salaries include finance and non-profits.
