Working in the United States Congress is one of the most influential public service careers. Behind every senator and representative are congressional staffers who play critical roles in shaping legislation, conducting research, and serving constituents. Because of the demanding nature of the job, many people often ask: How much do US Congress staffers earn in 2025?
This article provides a detailed guide to US Congress staffer salaries by position and experience. We will break down salaries for different roles such as Chiefs of Staff, Legislative Directors, Communications Directors, Legislative Assistants, and Interns. We will also analyze how experience, location, and responsibilities affect compensation.
In addition, this article covers benefits, career growth, comparisons with other federal positions, and frequently asked questions. By the end, you will have a clear understanding of what congressional staffers make and how their pay compares in the broader federal workforce.
Overview of US Congress Staffer Salary Structure
Congressional staff salaries are determined by several factors:
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Position/Job Title: Senior staff like Chiefs of Staff and Legislative Directors earn the highest salaries.
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Experience: Pay rises with years of service in Congress.
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Office (Senate vs. House): Senate offices generally pay more than House offices.
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Member’s Budget: Each Member of Congress has a limited budget for salaries, so pay can vary by office.
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Location: Most staffers are based in Washington, D.C., but district office staff salaries may differ.
In 2025, congressional staff salaries range from $35,000 per year for entry-level assistants and interns to over $200,000 per year for senior positions like Chief of Staff in the Senate.
US Congress Staffer Salary by Position (2025)
The table below provides a general breakdown of average annual salaries for congressional staff positions in 2025. These numbers are based on publicly available salary data, reports from the Congressional Research Service, and budget allocations for House and Senate offices.
| Position | Average Salary (House) | Average Salary (Senate) | Approx. Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief of Staff | $170,000 | $200,000+ | $150,000 – $210,000 |
| Deputy Chief of Staff | $140,000 | $160,000 | $120,000 – $170,000 |
| Legislative Director (LD) | $130,000 | $150,000 | $100,000 – $155,000 |
| Communications Director | $110,000 | $125,000 | $85,000 – $130,000 |
| Senior Policy Advisor | $105,000 | $120,000 | $80,000 – $125,000 |
| Press Secretary | $80,000 | $95,000 | $60,000 – $100,000 |
| Legislative Assistant (LA) | $65,000 | $75,000 | $45,000 – $80,000 |
| Staff Assistant | $50,000 | $55,000 | $40,000 – $60,000 |
| Intern (paid) | $35,000 | $38,000 | $30,000 – $40,000 |
Note: Salaries vary depending on member office budget, years of experience, and location.
How US Congress Staffer Salary Works
Congressional staff salaries are not uniform like the federal GS (General Schedule) pay scale. Instead, each office has flexibility within budget caps set by Congress:
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Member Representational Allowance (MRA) – For House staff. Each House member gets a budget to pay staff salaries.
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Senators’ Official Personnel and Office Expense Account (SOPOEA) – For Senate staff. Senate budgets are larger, meaning Senate staffers usually earn more.
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Leadership and Committee Staff – Senior staff working for party leaders or committees often have higher pay ceilings.
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Experience & Seniority – Staff who have worked for multiple years and in higher responsibility roles command higher pay.
Salary by Experience Level (2025)
Experience plays a key role in determining congressional staffer salary.
Entry-Level Staffers
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Typical Roles: Staff Assistant, Intern, Junior Legislative Correspondent.
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Salary Range: $35,000 – $50,000.
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Responsibilities: Administrative support, answering calls, handling mail, helping with basic research.
Mid-Level Staffers
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Typical Roles: Legislative Assistant, Press Secretary, Policy Advisor.
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Salary Range: $60,000 – $100,000.
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Responsibilities: Drafting memos, working on legislation, handling press inquiries, managing constituent casework.
Senior-Level Staffers
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Typical Roles: Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief, Legislative Director, Communications Director.
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Salary Range: $120,000 – $200,000+.
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Responsibilities: Managing office, advising members of Congress, overseeing staff, directing legislative and communications strategy.
Benefits and Allowances for Congressional Staffers
In addition to salaries, staffers receive benefits similar to federal employees:
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Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)
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Retirement Plan (FERS)
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Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with matching contributions
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Paid leave (annual and sick leave)
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Federal holidays
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Metro transit subsidies in D.C.
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Professional development and training
These benefits make congressional staff roles competitive compared to private sector jobs.
Comparison with Other Federal Jobs
It’s important to compare congressional staff pay with other government roles:
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GS Federal Jobs: A GS-9 analyst in Washington, D.C., earns around $65,000 – $80,000, which is comparable to a Legislative Assistant.
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White House Staff: Senior advisors in the White House can earn around $150,000 – $180,000, similar to congressional Chiefs of Staff.
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Federal Agencies (NOAA, EPA, etc.): Salaries in agencies follow GS scales, often providing more stability but less flexibility compared to Congress.
Key Factors Influencing Congressional Staffer Salary
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House vs. Senate – Senate staffers generally earn more due to larger budgets.
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Committee vs. Member Office – Committee staff and leadership staff often have higher salaries.
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Experience & Expertise – Specialized staff (e.g., legal counsel, economic advisors) command higher pay.
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Geographic Location – D.C. staff usually earn more than district office staff.
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Budget Caps – Salaries must stay within each office’s total budget.
Career Progression for Congressional Staffers
A congressional career usually follows a progression path:
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Intern or Staff Assistant → 2. Legislative Correspondent → 3. Legislative Assistant/Press Secretary → 4. Senior Policy Advisor/Communications Director → 5. Legislative Director/Deputy Chief → 6. Chief of Staff.
Promotions depend on:
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Performance and reliability.
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Building strong political and professional networks.
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Length of service and policy expertise.
Summary Table: US Congress Staffer Salary by Position & Experience (2025)
| Level | Position Examples | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | Intern, Staff Assistant | $35,000 – $50,000 |
| Mid-Level | LA, Press Secretary, Policy Advisor | $60,000 – $100,000 |
| Senior-Level | Chief of Staff, LD, Comms Director | $120,000 – $200,000+ |
FAQs About US Congress Staffer Salary (2025)
1. Do congressional staff get paid well?
Yes, senior congressional staffers can earn over $200,000, though entry-level staff make much less.
2. Who is the highest-paid congressional staffer?
Chiefs of Staff and high-ranking committee staff often earn the most.
3. Do staffers get overtime pay?
No, most staffers are salaried and not eligible for overtime.
4. Do interns get paid in Congress?
Yes, most interns receive stipends, averaging $30,000 – $40,000 annually if full-time.
5. Are Senate staff paid more than House staff?
Yes, Senate staff generally earn higher salaries.
6. Can staffers receive bonuses?
Bonuses are rare; offices must stay within strict budget limits.
7. Do congressional staff get federal benefits?
Yes, they get health insurance, retirement, and leave benefits similar to other federal employees.
8. Is working in Congress good for career growth?
Yes, it opens doors to law, lobbying, policy, and government leadership roles.
9. Do staffers have job security?
Not always—jobs depend on whether their Member of Congress is re-elected.
10. How many hours do staffers work?
Staffers often work long hours, 50–70 hours per week, especially during legislative sessions.
Conclusion
In 2025, US Congress staffer salaries vary greatly by position and experience. While entry-level roles like Staff Assistants earn modest pay, senior roles such as Chief of Staff command six-figure salaries. Salaries are influenced by whether staffers work in the House or Senate, in leadership or committee offices, and by their years of service.
Although congressional staff positions are demanding, they come with strong benefits and serve as stepping stones to influential careers in law, policy, government, and the private sector. For anyone considering a career in Congress, understanding the salary structure is the first step to planning a rewarding journey in public service.