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Legislative assistant salary
Average legislative assistant salary
$45,614
Legislative Assistant Salary Overview
The average salary for a Legislative Assistant is around $45,614 annually, translating to about $22 per hour. This figure can vary based on several factors including geographical location, years of experience, and the specific field of government work. For example, legislative assistants in states like California and New York tend to earn higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals.
In addition to salary, legislative assistants often enjoy benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, which can enhance overall compensation. As you consider a career as a legislative assistant, it’s essential to research local salary trends and opportunities for advancement within your area. Many legislative assistants find fulfilling careers in government offices, advocacy groups, or non-profits, providing a platform for impactful work in public policy.
Salary by State
Understanding how salaries differ across states can significantly aid in your career planning. For instance, states with robust legislative activities typically offer higher salaries. Researching local salary data can provide insights into your earning potential and help you identify regions with the most opportunities.
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Where can a Legislative Assistant earn more?
Legislative assistant salary estimates from across the web
Average legislative assistant salary by state
The average legislative assistant salary in Alaska, New Jersey, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average legislative assistant salary states are Georgia, Alabama, and Colorado.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for legislative assistants
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $66,767 | $32.10 |
| 2 | New York | $58,376 | $28.07 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $58,807 | $28.27 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $56,929 | $27.37 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $48,578 | $23.35 |
| 6 | Maryland | $50,092 | $24.08 |
| 7 | West Virginia | $42,065 | $20.22 |
| 8 | Delaware | $51,937 | $24.97 |
| 9 | Maine | $51,024 | $24.53 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $48,319 | $23.23 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $51,949 | $24.98 |
| 12 | Washington | $43,675 | $21.00 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $50,555 | $24.31 |
| 14 | Virginia | $42,858 | $20.60 |
| 15 | Michigan | $40,096 | $19.28 |
| 16 | Illinois | $40,685 | $19.56 |
| 17 | California | $43,232 | $20.78 |
| 18 | Indiana | $44,974 | $21.62 |
| 19 | Ohio | $41,678 | $20.04 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $35,724 | $17.18 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| 22 | Arizona | $37,022 | $17.80 |
| 23 | Idaho | $39,072 | $18.78 |
| 24 | Vermont | $42,337 | $20.35 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $35,402 | $17.02 |
| 26 | Nevada | $40,050 | $19.25 |
| 27 | Iowa | $36,739 | $17.66 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $34,051 | $16.37 |
| 29 | Texas | $32,408 | $15.58 |
| 30 | Minnesota | $33,449 | $16.08 |
| 31 | Kentucky | $34,149 | $16.42 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $39,728 | $19.10 |
| 33 | Montana | $31,956 | $15.36 |
| 34 | Oregon | $33,461 | $16.09 |
| 35 | Florida | $29,944 | $14.40 |
| 36 | South Dakota | $32,473 | $15.61 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $31,993 | $15.38 |
| 38 | Louisiana | $32,864 | $15.80 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $29,100 | $13.99 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $30,084 | $14.46 |
| 41 | Utah | $30,350 | $14.59 |
| 42 | Missouri | $30,094 | $14.47 |
| 43 | Kansas | $32,343 | $15.55 |
| 44 | Georgia | $28,864 | $13.88 |
| 45 | Colorado | $28,509 | $13.71 |
| 46 | New Mexico | $31,868 | $15.32 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $30,865 | $14.84 |
| 48 | Wyoming | $27,398 | $13.17 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $27,908 | $13.42 |
| 50 | Alabama | $28,758 | $13.83 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $27,687 | $13.31 |
Highest paying cities for legislative assistants
The highest-paying cities for legislative assistants are Anchorage, AK, Washington, DC, and Rochester, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anchorage, AK | $67,872 | $32.63 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $56,834 | $27.32 |
| 3 | Rochester, NY | $53,401 | $25.67 |
| 4 | Olympia, WA | $44,027 | $21.17 |
| 5 | Milwaukee, WI | $35,684 | $17.16 |
| 6 | Frankfort, KY | $34,870 | $16.76 |
| 7 | Lincoln, NE | $29,757 | $14.31 |
| 8 | Jacksonville, FL | $28,762 | $13.83 |
| 9 | Oklahoma City, OK | $27,764 | $13.35 |
Legislative assistant salary details
A legislative assistant's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $83,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a legislative assistant's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $83,000 | $6,917 | $40 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,000 | $5,167 | $30 |
| Average | $45,614 | $3,801 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying legislative assistant jobs
The highest paying types of legislative assistants are law examiner, juror, and legal administrator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Administrator | $47,198 | $3,933 | $22.69 | 56,419 |
Top companies hiring legislative assistants now:
Which companies pay legislative assistants the most?
Legislative assistant salaries at Earthjustice and Mayor Ethan Berkowitz are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average legislative assistant salary at companies like City of Jacksonville and Washington State University are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Earthjustice | $117,367 | $56.43 |
| 2 | Mayor Ethan Berkowitz | $75,269 | $36.19 |
| 3 | City of Jacksonville | $64,897 | $31.20 |
| 4 | Washington State University | $58,386 | $28.07 |
| 5 | Beacon Hill Staffing Group | $54,962 | $26.42 |
| 6 | Milwaukee County | $46,449 | $22.33 |
| 7 | MAJORITY | $41,695 | $20.05 |
| 8 | City of Jacksonville, Florida - Government | $40,348 | $19.40 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Legislative assistant salary trends
The average legislative assistant salary has risen by $5,478 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average legislative assistant earned $40,136 annually, but today, they earn $45,614 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for legislative assistants over the last decade.
Compare legislative assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average legislative assistant salary over time
Compare legislative assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Legislative assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $45,600 | $21.93 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | $44,700 | $21.51 | -0.9% |
| 2024 | $45,100 | $21.71 | +4.8% |
| 2023 | $43,000 | $20.67 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $41,900 | $20.13 | +1.3% |
Recently added legislative assistant salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aipac | Legislative Assistant | Washington, DC | 06/19/2025 | $50,000 |
| State of Illinois | Legislative Affairs Assistant (Administrative Assistant II) | Springfield, IL | 06/18/2025 | $78,000 |
| State of Wisconsin | Assembly Legislative Assistant | Madison, WI | 06/18/2025 | $42,828 |
| Mississippi Votes | Legislative Assistant | Jackson, MS | 06/12/2025 | $50,000 |
| State of Wisconsin | Assembly Legislative Assistant | Madison, WI | 05/29/2025 | $42,828 |
| State of Washington | Legislative Assistant, House Republican Caucus | Olympia, WA | 05/24/2025 | $57,804 |
| State of Wisconsin | Assembly Legislative Assistant | Madison, WI | 04/29/2025 | $42,971 |
| State of Washington | Legislative Assistant To Senator Leonard Christian | Olympia, WA | 04/22/2025 | $57,804 |
| Holland & Knight | Legislative Assistant-Defense-National Security (Hybrid) | Washington, MN | 04/17/2025 | $70,000 |
| State of Wisconsin | Assembly Legislative Assistant | Madison, WI | 03/25/2025 | $42,828 |
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