How to Become a Lobbyist

From advocating for stricter environmental regulations to pushing for oil and gas subsidies, lobbyists play a key role in the creation of government rules, regulations and laws. Want to make a career out of advocating for causes you’re passionate about? Exploring how to become a lobbyist is a good first step.

The field of lobbying has seen significant growth over the last two decades. The amount of money spent on lobbying in the U.S. has more than doubled since 2000, according to Statista. In 2023 alone, $4.26 billion was spent on lobbying across various industries and issues, Statista reported.

So, how can you join this growing industry?* The first step is to explore the responsibilities of a lobbyist and discover what it takes to start your career.

What is a Lobbyist?

A lobbyist is a person who represents a group and advocates on their behalf with government officials, according to Jeremy Pedigo, an adjunct political science instructor and academic partner at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and former congressional intern.

Lobbyists can advocate for a variety of issues across many different fields, from education and healthcare to real estate, insurance and technology, said Pedigo.

They can also work alongside many different levels of government officials, including members of Congress, state legislators and local politicians.

What Qualifies As Lobbying?

According to the U.S. lobbying organization National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the definition of lobbying can vary from state to state. However, states typically define lobbying as any attempt to influence government action on behalf of a group or organization in exchange for compensation, according to the NCSL.

This means that a resident who reaches out to their state representative to advocate for the passage of a law is not working as a lobbyist. Someone hired and paid by an organization to help that same law get passed, however, would be considered a lobbyist.

What Does a Lobbyist Do Day to Day?

Your specific responsibilities as a lobbyist can vary depending on where you work and your specific role.

Pedigo said that some of the common daily tasks of a lobbyist include:

• Attending committee hearings
• Meeting with elected officials
• Researching policy issues
• Tracking legislation to ensure it meets their organization’s policy goals

According to Pedigo, lobbyists typically work in offices but also travel frequently to meet with government officials in Congress and state capitals. Lobbyists may also work late hours attending meetings and social functions.

How Do I Get Involved In Lobbying?

If you want to work as a lobbyist, it’s important to follow a few key steps to start your career.

Earn a Degree

Lobbying jobs typically require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, said Pedigo, but some lobbyists may also have a master’s degree or law degree. (Note: Law degrees are not currently available at SNHU.)

What Degree Do Most Lobbyists Have?

Many different bachelor’s degree programs could help prepare you to become a lobbyist. According to Pedigo, some of the most common bachelor’s degrees in the field include:

• Business degrees
• Communication degrees
• History degrees
• Political science degrees

Each of these degrees can provide a strong foundation for success as a lobbyist. At SNHU, for example, these programs include general education courses focused on:

• Cultural awareness
• Decision making
• Ethics in global society
• Social issues
• Written communications

The specific degree program you choose can also give you a leg up as an aspiring lobbyist.

A bachelor’s degree in political science at SNHU, for example, includes coursework on policy analysis, research and public administration. An SNHU communication degree offers courses in public speaking and strategic storytelling.

Build Key Skills

In addition to earning a degree, it’s important to build soft skills before working as a lobbyist. According to Pedigo, some of the important skills for lobbying include:

• Effective communications
• Networking
• Social media and digital presence
• Strategic planning
• Writing and research skills

Get Professional Experience

One of the best things you can do to prepare for a successful career as a lobbyist is to start getting relevant professional experience. This can be done even before graduating with a degree by completing an internship.

Pedigo said internships can help you build relevant, real-world experience that employers want, providing a head start on the path to becoming a lobbyist.

Pedigo himself worked as a congressional intern in Washington, D.C., while earning a graduate degree. Although he did not go on to work as a lobbyist, he said he saw firsthand how others used the internship as a platform to eventually become a lobbyist.

“A new graduate can work in a legislative office and gain valuable experience learning about issues, the legislative process and networking opportunities,” said Pedigo. “Once they have obtained enough experience and established viable contacts, the next step is to apply for a lobbying position.”

Register As a Lobbyist

Before you can work for a lobbying firm or other organization, you must register as a lobbyist. According to the NCSL, lobbyist registration requirements vary from state to state.

Typically, however, lobbyists are required to provide their contact information, client information and the issue, cause or organization for which they will be advocating, according to NCSL.

Build Your Network

One of the most important steps toward becoming a lobbyist is building your professional network, said Pedigo.

To connect with lobbying firms, Pedigo recommends:

• Attending state legislature committee hearings to engage with lobbyists
• Creating a LinkedIn professional page
• Following and engaging with interest groups on social media
• Working as an intern for an interest group or trade association that employs lobbyists

Understanding Lobbyist Jobs

Once you've earned a degree and prepared to enter the field of lobbying, there are many different jobs and career paths you can pursue. According to Pedigo, some of the most common job titles lobbyists may have include:

• Advocacy and outreach
• Communications
• Government relations
• Legislative outreach
• Public or political affairs

Experienced lobbyists can also seek leadership positions as managers, directors or vice presidents of a lobbying organization, Pedigo said. You could land a more advanced position with an undergraduate degree, he said, but a master’s degree and several years of professional lobbying experience are typically preferred.

Who Are Lobbyists Hired By?

With a career as a lobbyist, you can work at many different types of organizations and in many different fields. According to Pedigo, lobbyists are commonly hired by:

• Government associations
• Insurance companies
• Nonprofit and international organizations
• Private companies
• Trade associations

According to data from Statista, the industries that spent the most on lobbying in 2023 were:

• Health products and pharmaceuticals: $378.59 million
• Electronics manufacturing and equipment: $238.39 million
• Insurance: $157.44 million

Other top industries included education, nonprofits, oil and gas, securities and investments, real estate, hospitals and business associations, according to Statista.

How Much Does a Lobbyist Make?

Your salary as a lobbyist will depend on your specific role, the industry or organization you work for and your educational background.

Political scientists, for example, can work as policy analysts for organizations like labor unions or political groups, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage for political scientists was $132,350 in 2023, according to BLS data.*

Public relations managers can help clarify an organization’s point of view and communicate it with stakeholders, according to BLS. The median annual salary for these professionals was $134,760 in 2023, according to BLS.*

Is Lobbying a Good Career?

The value of a lobbying career is deeply personal and depends on your professional goals. But the field does offer many benefits.

In addition to higher-than-average salaries, jobs for lobbyists also offer potential career growth.* According to BLS, employment of political scientists is projected to grow 3% from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.* Jobs for public relations and fundraising managers are projected to grow 7% during the same period, according to BLS.*

A career as a lobbyist could also give you the flexibility to pursue a variety of passions and interests. Lobbyists play a key role in the world of politics and help to advance the causes of special interest groups and other organizations.

Whether you're passionate about healthcare and education or technology and business, a job as a lobbyist could help you make an impact in your chosen field.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Danielle Gagnon is a freelance writer focused on higher education. She started her career working as an education reporter for a daily newspaper in New Hampshire, where she reported on local schools and education policy. Gagnon served as the communications manager for a private school in Boston, MA before later starting her freelance writing career. Today, she continues to share her passion for education as a writer for Southern New Hampshire University. Connect with her on LinkedIn.