Studying power and government—elections, laws, wars, diplomacy, and human rights—and advising leaders on what to do.
Top pay: highest pay, longest training
Political Scientist: Studies governments, elections, laws, and political behavior. Typical pay $139k.
Congressional Research Analyst: Researches issues for members of Congress so they understand what they're voting on. Typical pay $120k.
Political Risk Analyst: Advises companies and investors on how politics abroad—elections, coups, sanctions—could affect them. Typical pay $115k.
Mid pay: solid pay, degree or apprenticeship
Political Science Professor: Teaches college political science and researches politics and government. Typical pay $90k.
Intelligence Analyst (CIA/DIA): Pieces together secret and public information to warn leaders about threats. Typical pay $100k.
Foreign Policy Analyst: Researches relations between countries and recommends policies. Typical pay $85k.
Public Policy Analyst: Studies problems like housing or healthcare and recommends what government should do. Typical pay $85k.
Human Rights Researcher: Investigates human rights abuses around the world and documents them for the public and courts. Typical pay $78k.
Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Investigator: Uses public online evidence—videos, satellite images, social media—to verify events like war crimes or disinformation. Typical pay $78k.
Election Administrator: Runs elections for a county or city so every vote is counted securely and accurately. Typical pay $78k.
Civic Engagement Coordinator: Helps people register to vote, learn about government, and get involved in their communities. Typical pay $57k.
Starter: fastest way in
Legislative Aide: Works for an elected official, researching bills, meeting constituents, and drafting letters. Typical pay $52k.
Policy Research Assistant: Supports policy analysts with data, research, and fact-checking. Typical pay $48k.
Field Organizer / Canvasser: Talks to voters door-to-door and recruits volunteers for campaigns and causes. Typical pay $42k.
Election Clerk / Poll Worker: Helps voters check in and cast ballots on Election Day and during early voting. Typical pay $36k.
Congressional Caseworker: Works in a member of Congress's local office cutting through red tape for residents stuck with the IRS, Social Security, the VA or passport offices. Typical pay $52k.
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.