Also called: State Representative, State Senator, Assembly Member
Writes state laws on schools, roads, taxes, and more, often while keeping another job.
Most state legislatures meet only part of the year, so many lawmakers are also teachers, farmers, or lawyers. During session they vote on hundreds of bills, testify in committees, and meet with constituents. It's often the first step toward Congress.
Varies wildly: New Hampshire pays $100 a year, California ~$128k.
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 Policy, Law (JD), Education.
Growing slowly.
Low risk for 10 years. AI summarizes the flood of bills and drafts replies; listening to constituents and casting votes stay human.
Classes: AP U.S. Government, Speech and debate, Economics, AP U.S. History.
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.