Also called: City Mayor
The elected leader of a city or town, often running city services from police to trash pickup.
A big-city mayor might start the day at a press conference about a new transit line, meet with the police chief, and end it at a neighborhood festival. In small towns being mayor is part-time and pays a small stipend. Mayors are the most visible politicians in people's daily lives.
Huge range: small-town mayors may earn a stipend; mayors of the largest cities earn $200k+.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. No required degree; you must win an election. Most have a bachelor's and many are lawyers or business owners.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Political Science, Public Administration, Urban Studies, Business.
Growing slowly.
Low risk for 10 years. AI can help with city data and 311 requests; leading a city, facing residents and handling emergencies stay human.
Classes: AP U.S. Government, Speech and debate, Economics, Statistics.
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.