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.

Lobbyists

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