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The political organizations industry—which includes political parties, political action committees (PACs), political campaign organizations, and political organizations and clubs that are engaged in promoting the interests of national, state, or local political parties or candidates—employs only a small portion of the U.S. workforce. Over the 2001–14 period, political organizations employment has averaged 8,900, although it varies considerably from year to year. In recent years, when employment in political organizations has been at its highest, it made up about 0.9 percent of employment in the membership associations and organizations industry. That industry in turn accounted for about 1.0 percent of all wage and salary civilian employment. Thus, even when it was at its highest employment level in recent years, the political organizations industry still employed less than 1/100 of 1.0 percent, or less than 1 in 10,000, of all civilian wage and salary workers. (See chart 1.)1
This Beyond the Numbers article takes a look at employment and wage data for the political organizations industry from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program.2 This industry is strongly affected by the U.S. election calendar, its employment and wages varying accordingly. Anyone interested in a career in political organizations might well heed the lesson presented by these data: opportunities in this industry may be abundant one year and scarce the next.
The 4-year political cycle
Employment in many industries increases or decreases about the same time each year because of holidays, the seasonal weather of summer and winter, school and sports schedules, and even the deadline to file income tax returns. Unlike most other industries, the political organizations industry is affected by the congressional and presidential election calendar. Congressional elections occur in all even-numbered years. Presidential elections occur in even-numbered years divisible by 4. (Thus, a year with a presidential election is also a year with a Summer Olympics and is usually a leap year with an extra day at the end of February.) Odd-numbered years have no presidential elections and few, if any, congressional elections (although special elections are sometimes held to fill congressional vacancies). Elections for state, county, and municipal offices are often, but not always, held on the same day as congressional and presidential elections. National, state, and municipal elections held on the same day produce an easily discernible effect on employment in the political organizations industry at the national level. Elections scheduled for odd-numbered ("off") years, usually at the municipal level, may be discernible at the state, metropolitan area, or county level.
Employment in membership associations and organizations and its component industries, annual average, 2001–14
Year
Religious organizations (8131)
Grantmaking and giving services (8132)
Social advocacy organizations (8133)
Civic and social organizations (8134)
Business associations (81391)
Professional organizations (81392)
Labor unions and similar labor organizations (81393)
Political organizations (81394)
Other similar organizations (81399)
2001
159,212
123,562
153,861
411,679
121,232
69,707
142,221
5,866
85,646
2002
166,785
125,198
158,580
419,690
119,146
72,333
141,300
9,395
86,143
2003
172,669
121,813
160,326
416,569
118,583
71,708
139,149
6,196
87,481
2004
175,119
117,586
163,794
412,083
117,688
71,123
136,507
11,775
91,479
2005
177,294
118,548
165,302
414,119
118,594
70,565
133,077
6,227
92,948
2006
179,429
119,306
168,124
415,395
120,451
71,239
132,618
10,543
95,545
2007
183,678
123,271
175,719
417,069
122,141
73,364
131,386
7,808
99,138
2008
186,379
126,950
186,502
418,135
123,324
75,269
133,216
12,507
102,441
2009
184,929
126,345
188,366
395,833
119,320
75,092
127,989
7,474
102,212
2010
181,449
124,667
191,570
391,003
115,423
74,244
122,270
11,102
101,951
2011
182,896
126,638
193,506
392,171
114,557
75,794
119,394
7,067
103,443
2012
182,800
128,515
196,336
392,849
115,173
78,499
118,336
12,607
102,146
2013
186,212
131,006
198,675
394,895
116,189
79,699
115,051
7,236
102,960
2014
186,709
133,849
203,459
394,024
117,410
81,641
115,078
11,886
105,010
As shown in chart 2, employment in political organizations averaged 11,775 during the presidential election year of 2004; the average was 12,507 in 2008 and 12,607 in 2012. Employment in years with congressional elections (but no presidential elections) showed more of an increase over the 2001–14 period. Employment increased from 9,395 in 2002 to 10,543 in 2006 and then to 11,102 in 2010 and 11,886 in 2014. Average annual employment in political organizations during odd-numbered years has ranged from 5,866 in 2001 to 7,808 in 2007. Since 2007, employment in odd-numbered years has averaged 7,464 or less. In 2007, political organizations might have been especially keen to hire workers in preparation for the presidential election of 2008 (which did not have an incumbent running for reelection). Employment in 2009 and onward may have been affected by the 2007–09 recession.
Employment in political organizations by type of election year, 2001–14
Year
Type of election year
Employment
2001
No national elections
5,866
2002
Congressional elections
9,395
2003
No national elections
6,196
2004
Congressional and presidential elections
11,775
2005
No national elections
6,227
2006
Congressional elections
10,543
2007
No national elections
7,808
2008
Congressional and presidential elections
12,507
2009
No national elections
7,474
2010
Congressional elections
11,102
2011
No national elections
7,067
2012
Congressional and presidential elections
12,607
2013
No national elections
7,236
2014
Congressional elections
11,886
The effects of the presidential and congressional election calendar are clearer in monthly and quarterly data. Presidential and (regularly scheduled) congressional elections are always held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, meaning that they always occur on November 2, November 8, or a day between those dates.
In even-numbered years over the 2001–14 period, political organizations employment has peaked in October (because most of November is after Election Day). Employment has been higher in Octobers with both presidential and congressional elections than in Octobers with only congressional elections. October employment reached 20,207 in 2008, 16,025 in 2010, 19,073 in 2012, and 17,819 in 2014. Steep decreases have occurred after these election-year peaks. Employment lows occurred during the first three months of odd-numbered years (6,148 in March 2009, 5,866 in February 2011, and 6,187 in February 2013). Employment rose during the remaining months of odd-numbered years.
Chart 3 shows that the number of establishments (the physical locations where employees work, such as offices and call centers) and the total wages paid to employees exhibit a similar pattern: peaks in the third or fourth quarter of even-numbered years, followed by sharp declines and lows in the first quarter of the following year and then gradual increases to the next election peak.
Indexes of employment, establishments, and wages in political organizations, January 2001 to December 2014
Month
Employment
Establishments
Average Weekly Wage
Total wages
Jan 2001
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Feb 2001
97.1
100.0
100.0
100.0
Mar 2001
97.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
Apr 2001
99.4
100.5
100.2
106.9
May 2001
104.7
100.5
100.2
106.9
Jun 2001
110.5
100.5
100.2
106.9
Jul 2001
114.7
103.7
97.4
116.2
Aug 2001
119.8
103.7
97.4
116.2
Sep 2001
116.9
103.7
97.4
116.2
Oct 2001
121.4
107.8
106.6
130.3
Nov 2001
120.6
107.8
106.6
130.3
Dec 2001
118.2
107.8
106.6
130.3
Jan 2002
124.0
113.2
100.5
136.2
Feb 2002
134.7
113.2
100.5
136.2
Mar 2002
141.0
113.2
100.5
136.2
Apr 2002
147.1
122.7
97.1
159.4
May 2002
157.9
122.7
97.1
159.4
Jun 2002
178.6
122.7
97.1
159.4
Jul 2002
200.5
125.7
93.0
204.9
Aug 2002
216.4
125.7
93.0
204.9
Sep 2002
232.3
125.7
93.0
204.9
Oct 2002
234.1
123.4
105.6
208.8
Nov 2002
212.2
123.4
105.6
208.8
Dec 2002
136.4
123.4
105.6
208.8
Jan 2003
98.1
107.2
112.5
112.4
Feb 2003
97.1
107.2
112.5
112.4
Mar 2003
99.3
107.2
112.5
112.4
Apr 2003
100.4
106.8
109.5
116.4
May 2003
103.9
106.8
109.5
116.4
Jun 2003
109.0
106.8
109.5
116.4
Jul 2003
114.8
105.8
107.6
131.8
Aug 2003
119.3
105.8
107.6
131.8
Sep 2003
126.9
105.8
107.6
131.8
Oct 2003
139.8
112.6
112.0
162.2
Nov 2003
142.9
112.6
112.0
162.2
Dec 2003
143.4
112.6
112.0
162.2
Jan 2004
156.4
115.6
98.6
159.1
Feb 2004
161.3
115.6
98.6
159.1
Mar 2004
157.7
115.6
98.6
159.1
Apr 2004
159.8
120.4
95.6
179.0
May 2004
177.5
120.4
95.6
179.0
Jun 2004
214.0
120.4
95.6
179.0
Jul 2004
252.1
126.5
87.8
240.7
Aug 2004
270.4
126.5
87.8
240.7
Sep 2004
285.4
126.5
87.8
240.7
Oct 2004
374.9
122.6
96.6
268.1
Nov 2004
293.5
122.6
96.6
268.1
Dec 2004
148.1
122.6
96.6
268.1
Jan 2005
101.9
105.6
116.6
121.5
Feb 2005
101.9
105.6
116.6
121.5
Mar 2005
103.2
105.6
116.6
121.5
Apr 2005
105.1
105.9
117.7
132.8
May 2005
109.3
105.9
117.7
132.8
Jun 2005
117.8
105.9
117.7
132.8
Jul 2005
121.9
109.3
118.3
149.3
Aug 2005
124.7
109.3
118.3
149.3
Sep 2005
125.3
109.3
118.3
149.3
Oct 2005
133.2
112.3
126.8
168.2
Nov 2005
130.6
112.3
126.8
168.2
Dec 2005
126.9
112.3
126.8
168.2
Jan 2006
133.3
115.9
137.3
193.8
Feb 2006
137.6
115.9
137.3
193.8
Mar 2006
144.5
115.9
137.3
193.8
Apr 2006
161.3
121.4
109.1
203.6
May 2006
175.2
121.4
109.1
203.6
Jun 2006
213.3
121.4
109.1
203.6
Jul 2006
234.4
124.8
106.3
258.5
Aug 2006
235.4
124.8
106.3
258.5
Sep 2006
246.8
124.8
106.3
258.5
Oct 2006
284.1
125.2
116.0
272.3
Nov 2006
254.9
125.2
116.0
272.3
Dec 2006
152.7
125.2
116.0
272.3
Jan 2007
119.8
114.4
140.5
175.7
Feb 2007
121.5
114.4
140.5
175.7
Mar 2007
126.8
114.4
140.5
175.7
Apr 2007
127.2
114.0
129.3
177.4
May 2007
135.9
114.0
129.3
177.4
Jun 2007
141.2
114.0
129.3
177.4
Jul 2007
152.8
117.2
130.9
208.1
Aug 2007
156.6
117.2
130.9
208.1
Sep 2007
158.7
117.2
130.9
208.1
Oct 2007
168.6
120.9
134.8
236.8
Nov 2007
170.7
120.9
134.8
236.8
Dec 2007
178.1
120.9
134.8
236.8
Jan 2008
173.2
125.0
129.0
222.0
Feb 2008
167.5
125.0
129.0
222.0
Mar 2008
166.6
125.0
129.0
222.0
Apr 2008
175.7
129.5
120.0
233.4
May 2008
192.7
129.5
120.0
233.4
Jun 2008
204.9
129.5
120.0
233.4
Jul 2008
250.6
129.9
104.7
320.9
Aug 2008
297.9
129.9
104.7
320.9
Sep 2008
353.7
129.9
104.7
320.9
Oct 2008
379.1
128.3
120.9
341.9
Nov 2008
300.5
128.3
120.9
341.9
Dec 2008
153.4
128.3
120.9
341.9
Jan 2009
130.6
110.7
137.0
171.9
Feb 2009
123.6
110.7
137.0
171.9
Mar 2009
115.3
110.7
137.0
171.9
Apr 2009
115.6
111.9
128.7
160.4
May 2009
120.7
111.9
128.7
160.4
Jun 2009
130.7
111.9
128.7
160.4
Jul 2009
145.0
116.4
124.1
186.2
Aug 2009
148.7
116.4
124.1
186.2
Sep 2009
148.4
116.4
124.1
186.2
Oct 2009
161.1
121.4
126.2
215.8
Nov 2009
172.9
121.4
126.2
215.8
Dec 2009
169.7
121.4
126.2
215.8
Jan 2010
150.5
128.0
129.7
204.9
Feb 2010
154.4
128.0
129.7
204.9
Mar 2010
160.4
128.0
129.7
204.9
Apr 2010
174.6
137.2
118.6
235.7
May 2010
190.1
137.2
118.6
235.7
Jun 2010
220.4
137.2
118.6
235.7
Jul 2010
236.8
140.7
116.6
291.4
Aug 2010
245.5
140.7
116.6
291.4
Sep 2010
253.4
140.7
116.6
291.4
Oct 2010
304.0
140.7
122.9
297.6
Nov 2010
253.2
140.7
122.9
297.6
Dec 2010
155.9
140.7
122.9
297.6
Jan 2011
114.8
121.0
141.8
163.1
Feb 2011
110.1
121.0
141.8
163.1
Mar 2011
113.9
121.0
141.8
163.1
Apr 2011
119.4
123.6
133.1
171.3
May 2011
128.9
123.6
133.1
171.3
Jun 2011
130.8
123.6
133.1
171.3
Jul 2011
135.5
128.8
135.4
195.0
Aug 2011
142.8
128.8
135.4
195.0
Sep 2011
146.3
128.8
135.4
195.0
Oct 2011
147.7
133.8
143.0
217.8
Nov 2011
156.6
133.8
143.0
217.8
Dec 2011
144.1
133.8
143.0
217.8
Jan 2012
152.5
136.4
141.5
231.2
Feb 2012
158.1
136.4
141.5
231.2
Mar 2012
171.0
136.4
141.5
231.2
Apr 2012
187.8
142.1
128.2
286.7
May 2012
220.7
142.1
128.2
286.7
Jun 2012
250.0
142.1
128.2
286.7
Jul 2012
271.3
143.0
121.5
354.1
Aug 2012
280.4
143.0
121.5
354.1
Sep 2012
307.2
143.0
121.5
354.1
Oct 2012
357.8
140.0
128.2
365.2
Nov 2012
304.3
140.0
128.2
365.2
Dec 2012
177.2
140.0
128.2
365.2
Jan 2013
125.9
120.9
147.4
180.1
Feb 2013
116.1
120.9
147.4
180.1
Mar 2013
118.2
120.9
147.4
180.1
Apr 2013
119.6
121.1
148.9
190.3
May 2013
123.8
121.1
148.9
190.3
Jun 2013
133.3
121.1
148.9
190.3
Jul 2013
144.2
125.2
141.8
212.7
Aug 2013
150.0
125.2
141.8
212.7
Sep 2013
147.7
125.2
141.8
212.7
Oct 2013
155.4
126.5
159.6
244.1
Nov 2013
154.7
126.5
159.6
244.1
Dec 2013
140.2
126.5
159.6
244.1
Jan 2014
143.5
131.2
146.3
227.5
Feb 2014
153.8
131.2
146.3
227.5
Mar 2014
160.8
131.2
146.3
227.5
Apr 2014
178.2
138.9
135.5
286.0
May 2014
209.0
138.9
135.5
286.0
Jun 2014
234.8
138.9
135.5
286.0
Jul 2014
252.9
142.1
123.9
343.1
Aug 2014
273.8
142.1
123.9
343.1
Sep 2014
289.2
142.1
123.9
343.1
Oct 2014
334.3
141.0
138.9
367.8
Nov 2014
294.2
141.0
138.9
367.8
Dec 2014
151.6
141.0
138.9
367.8
The average weekly wage in the political organizations industry did not follow this pattern. The average weekly wage reached lows around Election Day, then increased just after elections, and varied during other periods. Large numbers of temporary workers hired for relatively low wages in the months before an election caused the average to decrease. The workers who were employed during both election years and off years were relatively higher paid. When there were fewer lower paid workers, the average rose. Average wages in political organizations (like wages in most industries) have generally increased over the past dozen years. Since the 2008 election, average weekly wages have ranged from $687 to $1,047.
Employment by state
Employment in political organizations reached its recent peak (19,073) in October 2012, just before the congressional and presidential elections in November of that year. During October, only three states—Florida, Ohio, and Illinois—had employment of over 1,000 in this industry (1,571; 1,273; and 1,164, respectively, see maps 1 and 2.). Six states had employment between 750 and 999: California, Nevada, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. More people were employed in political organizations in the District of Columbia (1,311) than in 49 of the 50 states.
Map 1. Employment in political organizations, by state, October 2012
1,000 and higher
750 to 999
500 to 749
250 to 499
249 and lower
317
Michigan
Hover over a state to see data.
Hover over legend items to see states in a category.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Employment in political organizations, by state, October 2012
State
Employment
Alabama
43
Alaska
23
Arizona
235
Arkansas
47
California
998
Colorado
603
Connecticut
747
Delaware
57
District of Columbia
1,311
Florida
1,571
Georgia
101
Hawaii
—
Idaho
30
Illinois
1,164
Indiana
270
Iowa
398
Kansas
24
Kentucky
58
Louisiana
42
Maine
100
Maryland
224
Massachusetts
823
Michigan
317
Minnesota
526
Mississippi
11
Missouri
334
Montana
297
Nebraska
283
Nevada
871
New Hampshire
315
New Jersey
198
New Mexico
162
New York
833
North Carolina
440
North Dakota
120
Ohio
1,273
Oklahoma
34
Oregon
397
Pennsylvania
803
Rhode Island
—
South Carolina
58
South Dakota
—
Tennessee
103
Texas
677
Utah
71
Vermont
65
Virginia
767
Washington
515
West Virginia
50
Wisconsin
477
Wyoming
—
Note: Dash indicates data not available.
Just 4 months later, in February 2013, employment had declined to its postelection low (6,187), a 68-percent decrease. No state had political organizations employment over 750. Only two states, California and Florida, had employment greater than 500. New York, Texas, and Pennsylvania were the only other states with employment over 250. More than 1,000 workers (1,129, to be exact) were employed in the political organizations industry in the District of Columbia in February 2013, a comparatively small decrease of 14 percent from the October 2012 figure.
Map 2. Employment in political organizations, by state, February 2013
1,000 and higher
750 to 999
500 to 749
250 to 499
249 and lower
123
Michigan
Hover over a state to see data.
Hover over legend items to see states in a category.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Employment in political organizations, by state, February 2013
State
Employment
Alabama
40
Alaska
11
Arizona
36
Arkansas
17
California
684
Colorado
97
Connecticut
67
Delaware
11
District of Columbia
1,129
Florida
501
Georgia
83
Hawaii
—
Idaho
17
Illinois
201
Indiana
49
Iowa
36
Kansas
13
Kentucky
22
Louisiana
38
Maine
14
Maryland
67
Massachusetts
93
Michigan
123
Minnesota
128
Mississippi
11
Missouri
103
Montana
41
Nebraska
46
Nevada
33
New Hampshire
21
New Jersey
117
New Mexico
21
New York
471
North Carolina
76
North Dakota
11
Ohio
158
Oklahoma
19
Oregon
163
Pennsylvania
312
Rhode Island
17
South Carolina
34
South Dakota
20
Tennessee
59
Texas
435
Utah
21
Vermont
31
Virginia
241
Washington
134
West Virginia
6
Wisconsin
103
Wyoming
—
Note: Dash indicates data not available.
As shown in map 3, in many states political organizations employment often underwent extreme month-to-month variations. As political organizations responded to national, state, and municipal election schedules, it was not uncommon to see increases of over 100 percent from one month to the next and decreases of 100 percent as well.3 Recent large percent changes in political organizations employment include an increase of 147 percent in Arizona when employment rose from 43 to 106 from September to October 2013, the largest of a string of double-digit percent changes among states that year. In the same year, employment increased 200 percent (from 93 to 279) in Massachusetts from February to March. In contrast, from November to December 2012, political organizations employment decreased by more than 80 percent in both Iowa and Nebraska.
Please use a newer browser to see map animations.
Blue indicates increase; Gold indicates no change; Red indicates decrease.
Map 3. Employment in political organizations, percent change from previous month, January 2004 to September 2014
Employment in political organizations, percentage change from previous month, January 2004–September 2014
Although political organizations employment in the District of Columbia has also varied quite a bit, it rarely fell below 1,000. Political organizations employment in the District of Columbia has been under 1,000 in only about a dozen months since 1990 (mostly in the early 1990s) and has averaged around 1,200 for several years. Since a decline after an unusually high peak before the 2004 election, it has ranged from 999 to 1,882.
Knowing the employment patterns of the political organizations industry could be useful for jobseekers interested in this field because some areas in the country and certain times during the political calendar are more likely to present opportunities than others. The District of Columbia, location of the headquarters of both major political parties and many political organizations, may be a good place for those seeking employment or advancement in this industry. Jobseekers may face strong competition in the D.C. area, and education and work experience at the municipal or state level may be essential.
This Beyond the Numbers article was prepared by Douglas Himes, Technical Writer-Editor in the Division of New Media, Office of Publications and Special Studies, Email:himes.douglas@bls.gov, Telephone: (202) 691-6503.
Upon request, the information in this article will be made available to individuals who are sensory impaired. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200. Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339. This article is in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission.
1 During the 2004, 2008, and 2012 presidential election years, employment in political organizations averaged about 12,300. Membership associations and organizations employment over the 2001–14 period averaged 1,314,000. Total U.S. employment over this period averaged about 131,000,000.
2 See "Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages" (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), https://www.bls.gov/cew.
3 A decrease of 100 percent in a given state might mean that there is no employment remaining in the political organizations industry in that state, or it might indicate that the QCEW program is unable to publish data because those data do not meet standards of confidentiality or reliability.