Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
A Civil Affairs Specialist plays a vital role in connecting military operations with civilian populations, often working with various government and non-profit organizations. As of October 2025, the average salary for this position is $62,733 per year, or approximately $30 per hour. Salaries can vary based on experience, education, and geographic location.
Experience plays a significant role in determining salary levels. Entry-level specialists may earn less, while those with several years of experience can command higher wages. Additionally, the sector of employment can impact earnings; for instance, positions in federal government agencies often offer salaries above the average.
Geographic location also influences salary. States with higher costs of living generally offer increased compensation. For example, professionals in urban areas like New York or California may earn more than those in rural locations. By examining salary data by state, potential candidates can identify the best locations for career advancement.
For those seeking to enhance their earning potential, pursuing further education or specialized certifications can be beneficial. Opportunities for advancement often lead to roles with greater responsibility and higher pay. Understanding the salary landscape for Civil Affairs Specialists can guide job seekers in making informed career decisions.
Let Zippia find your next civil affairs specialist job
Let Zippia find your next civil affairs specialist job
The highest-paying states for civil affairs specialists are Washington, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The lowest average civil affairs specialist salary states are Georgia, Maine, and Alabama.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $87,976 | $42.30 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $79,235 | $38.09 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $81,326 | $39.10 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $80,820 | $38.86 |
| 5 | Alaska | $75,598 | $36.35 |
| 6 | Arizona | $70,411 | $33.85 |
| 7 | Oregon | $73,545 | $35.36 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $73,410 | $35.29 |
| 9 | California | $75,099 | $36.11 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $72,885 | $35.04 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $66,316 | $31.88 |
| 12 | Ohio | $73,622 | $35.40 |
| 13 | Illinois | $70,062 | $33.68 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $66,092 | $31.77 |
| 15 | Colorado | $66,506 | $31.97 |
| 16 | Virginia | $68,557 | $32.96 |
| 17 | Texas | $66,062 | $31.76 |
| 18 | New York | $71,447 | $34.35 |
| 19 | Maryland | $68,311 | $32.84 |
| 20 | Minnesota | $63,782 | $30.66 |
| 21 | Delaware | $64,822 | $31.16 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $67,859 | $32.62 |
| 23 | Wyoming | $60,119 | $28.90 |
| 24 | New Mexico | $64,103 | $30.82 |
| 25 | West Virginia | $62,394 | $30.00 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $62,535 | $30.06 |
| 27 | Nevada | $60,915 | $29.29 |
| 28 | Arkansas | $63,830 | $30.69 |
| 29 | Idaho | $63,489 | $30.52 |
| 30 | Hawaii | $57,154 | $27.48 |
| 31 | Kentucky | $60,708 | $29.19 |
| 32 | Michigan | $60,245 | $28.96 |
| 33 | Nebraska | $58,482 | $28.12 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $56,916 | $27.36 |
| 35 | Utah | $56,118 | $26.98 |
| 36 | Indiana | $56,706 | $27.26 |
| 37 | Montana | $53,253 | $25.60 |
| 38 | Vermont | $59,691 | $28.70 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $56,265 | $27.05 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $52,338 | $25.16 |
| 41 | Georgia | $50,861 | $24.45 |
| 42 | Florida | $48,926 | $23.52 |
| 43 | Missouri | $53,359 | $25.65 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $52,156 | $25.07 |
| 45 | Maine | $49,675 | $23.88 |
| 46 | Alabama | $49,517 | $23.81 |
| 47 | Iowa | $53,045 | $25.50 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $51,722 | $24.87 |
| 49 | Kansas | $51,155 | $24.59 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $46,117 | $22.17 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $45,444 | $21.85 |
The highest-paying cities for civil affairs specialists are Everett, WA, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Everett, WA | $88,756 | $42.67 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $80,811 | $38.85 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $74,082 | $35.62 |
| 4 | Salem, OR | $73,708 | $35.44 |
| 5 | Columbus, OH | $73,009 | $35.10 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $66,138 | $31.80 |
| 7 | Rochester, MN | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $60,621 | $29.14 |
| 9 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $57,195 | $27.50 |
| 10 | Indianapolis, IN | $56,458 | $27.14 |
| 11 | Kansas City, MO | $53,702 | $25.82 |
| 12 | Des Moines, IA | $52,784 | $25.38 |
| 13 | Tallahassee, FL | $51,391 | $24.71 |
| 14 | Montgomery, AL | $49,102 | $23.61 |
A civil affairs specialist's salary ranges from $41,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $95,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $95,000 | $7,917 | $46 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,000 | $6,500 | $38 |
| Average | $62,733 | $5,228 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| 10th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
The highest paying types of civil affairs specialists are communications consultant, public affairs specialist, and public affairs officer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government Relations Internship | $34,678 | $2,890 | $16.67 | 58,470 |
| Public Relations | $48,383 | $4,032 | $23.26 | 22,721 |
| Account Coordinator | $39,973 | $3,331 | $19.22 | 93,480 |
| Public Relations Internship | $30,868 | $2,572 | $14.84 | 65,163 |
| Media Coordinator | $47,471 | $3,956 | $22.82 | 35,285 |
| Communications Internship | $33,458 | $2,788 | $16.09 | 62,641 |
Top companies hiring civil affairs specialists now:
Civil affairs specialist salaries at Goldbelt Falcon and Stanley Consultants are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average civil affairs specialist salary at companies like Broward Health and Mayo Clinic are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goldbelt Falcon | $80,958 | $38.92 |
| 2 | Stanley Consultants | $78,219 | $37.61 |
| 3 | Broward Health | $75,792 | $36.44 |
| 4 | Mayo Clinic | $75,153 | $36.13 |
| 5 | Fluor Corporation | $75,141 | $36.13 |
| 6 | S & B Infrastructure, Ltd. | $74,079 | $35.61 |
| 7 | Boston Scientific | $74,069 | $35.61 |
| 8 | Arcadis | $74,056 | $35.60 |
| 9 | HDR | $72,848 | $35.02 |
| 10 | AECOM | $70,804 | $34.04 |
| 11 | The State of Oregon | $62,644 | $30.12 |
| 12 | Texas | $61,109 | $29.38 |
| 13 | Colorado State Express | $61,084 | $29.37 |
| 14 | Iowa State Association of Counties | $60,699 | $29.18 |
| 15 | Hyundai Securities | $58,421 | $28.09 |
| 16 | Iowa Department of Transportation | $55,948 | $26.90 |
| 17 | State of West Virginia | $49,162 | $23.64 |
| 18 | Architect of the Capitol | $40,893 | $19.66 |
| 19 | Indiana State Police | $39,840 | $19.15 |
The average civil affairs specialist salary has risen by $9,608 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average civil affairs specialist earned $53,125 annually, but today, they earn $62,733 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for civil affairs specialists over the last decade.
Compare civil affairs specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare civil affairs specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $62,700 | $30.16 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $61,100 | $29.36 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $59,900 | $28.81 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $59,200 | $28.47 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $57,900 | $27.86 | +2.2% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of Virginia | Faculty Affairs Specialist | Charlottesville, VA | 06/06/2025 | $55,000 |
| Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. | Civil Affairs Specialist | Quantico, VA | 05/29/2025 | $86,800 |
| State of Hawai'i | Civil Rights Specialist IV and V-Oahu | Hawaii | 05/12/2025 | $71,016 |
| Cambia Health | Political Affairs Specialist | Cove, UT | 03/04/2025 | $91,800 |
| Cambia Health | Political Affairs Specialist | Ione, OR | 03/04/2025 | $91,800 |
| Glovis America, Inc. | Temp General Affairs | Philadelphia, PA | 02/17/2025 | $48,001 |
| Glovis America | Temp General Affairs | Philadelphia, PA | 01/13/2025 | $48,001 |
| State of Ohio | Civil Rights Specialist | Columbus, OH | 12/15/2024 | $64,397 |
| Department of Commerce | Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist | Washington, DC | 12/14/2024 | $82,764 |
| Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. | Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist | Washington, DC | 12/13/2024 | $60,400 |
Search for civil affairs specialist jobs