Also called: Chief of Staff
The top aide to a member of Congress, running their office, staff, and political strategy.
A chief of staff is the boss's right hand: hiring staff, setting legislative priorities, managing the budget, and handling crises. Their phone never stops. Many later become lobbyists, executives, or run for office themselves.
House pay is capped (~$212k); Senate pays more.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 10 years after high school. Bachelor's degree, often a law or master's degree, plus years climbing the Hill staff ladder.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, Law (JD).
Growing slowly.
Low risk for 10 years. AI can draft memos and track bills; managing staff, strategy and the boss's trust stay human, high-pressure work.
Classes: AP U.S. Government, Speech and debate, AP English Language, Economics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 11-1031.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.