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Job outlook for government affairs specialists in the United States
Are government affairs specialist jobs in demand?
Government affairs specialist job and salary trends over time
Government affairs specialist jobs over time
Government affairs specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,050 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,117 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,117 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,052 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,175 | 0.00% |
Average government affairs specialist salary over time
Government affairs specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $64,263 | $30.90 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $62,658 | $30.12 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $60,274 | $28.98 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $59,013 | $28.37 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | $58,593 | $28.17 | +14.6% |
Government affairs specialist jobs by state
Most common states for government affairs specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 182 | 26% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 250 | 4% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 159 | 3% |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 31 | 3% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 27 | 3% |
| 6 | California | 39,536,653 | 683 | 2% |
| 7 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 224 | 2% |
| 8 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 212 | 2% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 192 | 2% |
| 10 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 136 | 2% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 118 | 2% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 65 | 2% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 54 | 2% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 30 | 2% |
| 15 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 23 | 2% |
| 16 | Vermont | 623,657 | 13 | 2% |
| 17 | Alaska | 739,795 | 12 | 2% |
| 18 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 10 | 2% |
| 19 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 96 | 1% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 24 | 1% |
Most common cities for government affairs specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | 1 | 2% | $72,383 |
| 2 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $56,140 |
Government Affairs Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of government affairs specialist experts
Barnard College
Adelphi University
University of Kansas
Logan Brenner Ph.D.
Assistant Professor in Environmental ScienceBarnard College
Environmental Science Department
What soft skills should all Government Affairs Specialists possess?
Logan Brenner Ph.D.: It is rare that someone will solve a problem, answer a research question, or make a discovery on their own. As is the case in many science fields, collaboration is key, so working in a team is critical. To do this effectively, you must collaborate with people who may have different work styles than you, be comfortable with delegation and self-assigning responsibilities, communicate and resolve conflict, know when to be a leader, and follow someone else's lead, and manage your time. From an environmental science perspective, our world is becoming ever more complex, and the best way to address complex problems is with a group of diverse minds. We need to have an open mind, start approaching problems creatively, and consider the value of having varied educational and professional training and multiple perspectives.
Your science will mean little and have minimal impact if you can't explain it to anyone who asks. As an environmental scientist, you will undoubtedly have to communicate your work to varied audiences ranging from professionals in your field to the general public. Therefore, you need to recognize your audiences and meet them at their level to get your ideas across. What is most impressive is not a lecture full of unnecessary jargon that obscures your point but instead a few succinct and eloquent sentences using universally understood language.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Government Affairs Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Maggie Gray Ph.D.: The most significant market trend right now is employers are reluctant to hire--they are nervous about whether they can afford to do so given the pandemic's unknowns. Training those fresh out of college is more challenging when it happens online. That said, employers don't want to have a brain drain due to a gap in hiring, so we shouldn't expect hiring to continue to decline, but 2021 graduates will be competing with 2020 graduates.
What skills stand out on Government Affairs Specialist resumes?
Maggie Gray Ph.D.: The soft communication skills--both oral and written--become more important with the move to online. We all know that in-person, we can communicate with body language, facial expressions, eye contact, and even small comments. All of those are lost in the online environment, which brings more attention to a job candidate's ability to make clear, efficient points. Those who have developed critical thinking and strong communication skills, such as political science majors, have an advantage. There's a lesson here for professors and teachers as well. Many of us haven't required cameras to be on during synchronous online classes since it is an equity issue. Still, I'm rethinking that, since being engaged in an online meeting will be a critical skill, even after the pandemic.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Government Affairs Specialists to find work opportunities?
Maggie Gray Ph.D.: As for where to find work, we shouldn't be surprised if new graduates find themselves in Washington DC. It's a young person's city, due to the number of aid jobs in Congress, the executive branch, lobbying firms, and think tanks. A change of administration is always a draw for those interested in politics to find work, even in a pandemic.
Dr. Brian W. Lagotte
Assistant Teaching Professor Director of Undergraduate StudiesUniversity of Kansas
Global and International Studies
What general advice would you give to a Government Affairs Specialist?
Dr. Brian W. Lagotte: Don’t rush it. Your 20s are for exploration, gaining “real-world” experience, and figuring out what type of career you want in the first place. Your 30s are for gaining opportunities for that career, and then your 40s and 50s are when you do your best work. You are not going to establish your lifelong career the first year out of university.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Government Affairs Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Brian W. Lagotte: Policy work on the international level will often depend on the old tools of writing and analysis. Social media can still be a useful resource to have more venues to produce policy positions, perhaps teleconferencing will be useful for distance interviewing, but policy work will often depend on a blank document and a good internet connection.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Government Affairs Specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Brian W. Lagotte: The salaries are as variable as the opportunities International Studies provide. You could be a broke graduate student going on to an M.A. or Ph.D. in International Studies, or you could get a job as a researcher in a think tank in Washington, D.C. The connections you make in the earlier years can offer expanded opportunities in the later years.