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What You Need to Know About Legislator

Legislator Job Description Develop, introduce or enact laws and statutes at the local, tribal, State, or Federal level. Includes only workers in elected positions.

Legislator Responsibilities

  • Read and review concerns of constituents or the general public and determine if governmental action is necessary.
  • Analyze and understand the local and national implications of proposed legislation.
  • Write, prepare, and deliver statements for the Congressional Record.
  • Negotiate with colleagues or members of other political parties in order to reconcile differing interests, and to create policies and agreements.
  • Establish personal offices in local districts or states, and manage office staff.
  • Encourage and support party candidates for political office.

Types of Legislator

  • City Alderman
  • Member of Congress
  • Representative
  • Tribal Council Member
  • Councilor

Are There Job Opportunities for Legislators?

In the United States, there were 55,500 jobs for Legislator in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,900 new jobs for Legislator by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 4,400 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Legislator are Utah, Nevada, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Wisconsin, or Oregon. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Legislator Average Salary

The typical yearly salary for Legislators is somewhere between $17,510 and $98,890.

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Legislators who work in New York, Hawaii, or California, make the highest salaries.

How much do Legislators make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $31,760
Alaska $45,340
Arizona $56,530
Arkansas $21,970
California $68,580
Colorado $57,570
Connecticut $59,740
Florida $56,990
Georgia $23,810
Hawaii $60,400
Idaho $25,310
Indiana $36,910
Iowa $43,450
Kansas $22,870
Louisiana $33,370
Maryland $45,110
Michigan $35,460
Minnesota $34,690
Mississippi $25,360
Missouri $25,630
Montana $45,510
Nebraska $34,320
New Hampshire $18,910
New Mexico $23,960
New York $90,050
North Dakota $36,050
Ohio $43,770
Oklahoma $48,770
Oregon $37,960
South Carolina $20,910
Tennessee $41,470
Texas $45,180
Utah $26,930
Virginia $32,900
Washington $66,240
West Virginia $28,520
Wyoming $38,180

What Tools & Technology do Legislators Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Legislators may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Structured query language SQL
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft Exchange Server
  • IBM Domino
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • Mapping software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe FrameMaker
  • Apple iWork Keynote
  • Cisco Systems WebEx
  • Citrix GoToMeeting

Where Legislators Work

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The table below shows the approximate number of Legislators employed by various industries.

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References:

Image Credit: The Official CTBTO Photostream via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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