Lobbyists

Because of the wide range of salaries earned by lobbyists, it is difficult to compile an accurate survey. According to Salary.com, in January 2020 lobbyists earned median annual salaries of $113,126. The lowest 10 percent earned $71,223 or less, while the highest 10 percent earned $194,892 or more. Most salaries ranged between $91,192 and $155,925.

Like lawyers, lobbyists are considered very well paid; also like lawyers, a lobbyist's income depends on the size of the organization he or she represents. Experienced contract lobbyists with a solid client base can earn well over $100,000 a year and some make more than $500,000 a year. Beginning lobbyists may make less than $20,000 a year as they build a client base. In many cases, a lobbyist may take on large corporations as clients for the bulk of the annual income, then volunteer services to nonprofit organizations.

Benefits for full-time workers include vacation and sick time, health, and sometimes dental, insurance, and pension or 401(k) plans. Self-employed lobbyists must provide their own benefits.