Also called: Member of Congress, Congressman / Congresswoman
One of 435 members of the U.S. House who write federal laws and control government spending.
House members face re-election every two years, so they're always half-campaigning. In Washington they vote, sit on committees, and push their own bills. At home they hold town halls, cut ribbons, and help constituents with problems like lost Social Security checks.
Fixed $174,000 salary.
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, Professional school, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Political Science, Law (JD), Business, History.
Growing slowly. 435 seats.
Low risk for 10 years. AI drafts constituent replies and bill summaries; campaigning, voting and representing a district stay human.
Classes: AP U.S. Government, Speech and debate, AP U.S. History, 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.