In today’s society, there are no job opportunities quite like the political field. If you dream of creating fair and policy for your fellow citizens to live by, a career in policy might be for you. A variety of career options in politics are available, suitable for all types of people. There are positions that put you in the public eye, and positions that keep you out of the public eye. There are options for any level of professional experience in politics, and you can work your way up.
It is by no means easy to make a name for yourself in the political field. Yet the opportunities and salaries provided by the field make up for its challenges. Here are the 17 highest-paying jobs in politics. There is something for everyone, so you’re bound to find something that interests you.
17. Civil Servant
Civil Servants are permanent fixtures in the government that keep their jobs through transitions of power. There are many different requirements for different Civil Servant positions. Passing an entrance test is the baseline qualification. More influential Civil Servant jobs are bound to have stricter requirements.
The duties of a Civil Servant vary based on the position in question. This is a position that allows for growth and promotions over time.
Median Salary Range: $32,000 – $60,000
16. Policy Analyst
Policy Analysts do research and analysis of policies that are in place and how to improve them. They are in charge of giving succinct feedback to those who alter and create policy.
The duties of a Political Analyst include analyzing numbers and feedback from the community. They do so without any sort of political leaning to improve the functionality of the law.
Median Salary Range: $32,000 – $60,000
15. Diplomat
Diplomats foster connection between the country of origin to the international community. They can range from entry level within the field all the way up to being key ambassadors between nations. Although the role of a diplomat is temporary, it can serve as a step on a path to something more. Former diplomats become leaders of international organizations and aid heads of governments.
The duties of a diplomat include knowing about different cultures and foreign languages, and a willingness to travel.
Median Salary Range: $40,000 – $65,000
14. Security Specialist
Security specialists ensure that top members of the government are safe wherever they go. They must be strong, clever enough to identify and cover any weaknesses in a location’s security. They must also have the vigilance to make sure all is running smoothly. Security specialists must consider all possible scenarios and have arrangements made in case an event doesn’t go as planned.
To become a security specialist, one must complete thorough background checks. In some cases, family members or friends of the candidates also need to pass a security clearance for a security specialist to be hired. Becoming a security specialist requires a lot of training, so they are usually recruited from the military.
Median Salary Range: $40,000 – $70,000
13. Media Strategist
The media strategist handles the image of a political campaign or administration. They determine the rhetorical front that will be used to sway the public opinion and votes in their favor. The role of the media strategist combines a knowledge of policy and communication skills.
Duties of the media strategist include choosing who their politician will interview with and how they would like to appear to the public. Media strategists are the ones that are selling the campaign and ideologies.
Median Salary Range: $50,000 – $80,000
12. Journalist
Journalists research and collect information in from politics. They then compile them into news sources that the public can understand. The most famous journalists make over $1 million per year.
Journalists usually have at least one college degree, but higher education can be helpful in this field. The job of the journalist is to help the public plan political opinions based on understandable facts.
Median Salary Range: $50,000 – $90,000
11. Statistician
Statisticians are the mathematicians of possibility and probability. They can work for campaigns, administrations, or provide information to the general public. The data they produce is vital for strategists both in and out of the formal government.
Statisticians in the field of policy are responsible for analyzing trends in economics and polls. They work with political campaigns and governments to adjust strategy and rhetoric. Software and mathematical processes help them determine strategies for future success.
Median Salary Range: $50,000 – $100,000
10. Public Relations Specialist
The public relations specialist is in charge of a politician’s image. They determine the best way to express the individual’s political agenda. Public relations specialists help their employer achieve their goals and maintain their image.
The jobs of a public relations specialist include drafting press releases, managing their employer’s image, and controlling negative press.
Median Salary Range: $60,000 – $80,000
9. Economist
Economists are highly valuable in the political field. Degrees in political economics very prestigious. Knowledge about the combination of policy and economics has proven to be important throughout history.
Economists assist administrations and businesses with the impacts of policies. Because economics and policy are so interlocked, political economists are able to thrive.
Median Salary Range: $60,000 – $90,000
8. Communications Director
Communications directors have experience in the political field and know a lot about political communications. They have to be able to strategically diffuse a crisis or risk losing their job.
Communications directors are in charge of all communications. Inside and outside of an administration, campaign, or agency, they watch over communications. They are vital to an agency, sometimes more so than the politician in charge.
Median Salary Range: $70,000 – $100,000
7. Lawyer
Lawyers are vital to make sure governmental bodies stay within their bounds. They make sure everything the government is doing is constitutional. Lawyers help develop laws and policy and help determine legality of legislation.
A background in law is beneficial to those looking to rise through the ranks of the political field. Lawyers are highly present and highly profitable in politics.
Median Salary Range: $80,000 – $150,000
6. Policy Advisor
Policy advisors work with administrations to determine how to best plan their agendas into policy. They propose legislation and counters to make sure their agenda is put into action to the best of their ability. They also plan how to combat policies that counter their employer’s own policy.
Policy advisors are well versed in politics, ready to be at the forefront of a policymaker’s team. They have a great awareness for what is going on in the political world and are able to use that expertise to the advantage of their team.
Median Salary Range: $80,000 – $120,000
5. Lobbyist
Lobbyists are the most influential voices in politics that are not in the government. They are hired by corporations and groups that want their say in new policy. They influence major politicians due to their financial power, and are very effective at getting their way.
Lobbyists have strong connections both in and out of the government, and they have a lot of say in the directions society goes.
Median Salary Range: $100,000 – $150,000
4. Campaign Manager
Campaign managers are key to a candidate’s election. They give instructions to campaign staffers and volunteers on planning and strategy. Campaign managers make sure everything is going according to plan and fix damage when it does not.
The larger the campaign, the more profitable the campaign manager is likely to be. Yet, there is lots of room for growth in the field of campaign managing.
Median Salary Range: $100,000 – $140,000
3. Chief of Staff
The chief of staff is one of the most important executive roles in the administration. They serve as one of their politician’s most important advisors, and they weigh in on everything that the administration does.
The duties of the chief of staff include hiring the right people, making sure the agenda advances as planned, and running the office . Campaign managers can usually find a streamlined way into the position of chief of staff.
Median Salary Range: $100,000 – $180,000
2. Press Secretary
The press secretary is in charge of communications between the office and the media. They are informed on matters within an administration and are depended upon to be accurate and clear. They also need to be able to deflect concerns from the press and bring as much ease to the people as possible.
Press secretaries give news to both national and international media, and deflect conflict. They need to be ready for anything, and they often have to work around the clock.
Median Salary Range: $150,000 – $200,000
1. President/Prime Minister
The President/Prime Minister is the most well-known and important job in politics. They can be appointed by the public through a vote, or they can be appointed by a monarchy. These positions can theoretically be obtained by almost anyone. No degree of education or background in politics is necessary. But, having these things increases one’s chances of getting elected or appointed to the job.
The responsibilities of a President or Prime Minister include making policy, both national and international. They must also be able to unite the public under their agenda. They must also lead their country through any sort of event or crisis that may present itself.
Median Salary Range: $250,000 – $400,000
Politics is obviously not an easy field to work in. Politicians try to sabotage one another for votes or media attention, and are always under constant public scrutiny. Very few people are able to handle the pressure of a political career, but those who do go down in history. There is no greater reward than getting to shape the future of nations and the global community.
Tell us about your interests and experiences with political jobs in the comments!
Average Salaries are based on data from the National Careers Service and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.