Legislators
11-1031.00
Updated 2024

A subset of this occupation's profile is available. There are currently no plans to populate other parts of the profile.

Develop, introduce, or enact laws and statutes at the local, tribal, state, or federal level. Includes only workers in elected positions.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks Save Table: XLSX CSV

  • Analyze and understand the local and national implications of proposed legislation.
  • Appoint nominees to leadership posts, or approve such appointments.
  • Confer with colleagues to formulate positions and strategies pertaining to pending issues.
  • Debate the merits of proposals and bill amendments during floor sessions, following the appropriate rules of procedure.
  • Develop expertise in subject matters related to committee assignments.
  • Hear testimony from constituents, representatives of interest groups, board and commission members, and others with an interest in bills or issues under consideration.
  • Keep abreast of the issues affecting constituents by making personal visits and phone calls, reading local newspapers, and viewing or listening to local broadcasts.
  • Maintain knowledge of relevant national and international current events.
  • Make decisions that balance the perspectives of private citizens, public officials, and party leaders.
  • Negotiate with colleagues or members of other political parties in order to reconcile differing interests, and to create policies and agreements.
  • Prepare drafts of amendments, government policies, laws, rules, regulations, budgets, programs and procedures.
  • Read and review concerns of constituents or the general public and determine if governmental action is necessary.
  • Represent their parties in negotiations with political executives or members of other parties, and when speaking with the media.
  • Review bills in committee, and make recommendations about their future.
  • Seek federal funding for local projects and programs.
  • Serve on commissions, investigative panels, study groups, and committees in order to examine specialized areas and recommend action.
  • Vote on motions, amendments, and decisions on whether or not to report a bill out from committee to the assembly floor.
  • Write, prepare, and deliver statements for the Congressional Record.
  • Alert constituents of government actions and programs by way of newsletters, personal appearances at town meetings, phone calls, and individual meetings.
  • Attend receptions, dinners, and conferences to meet people, exchange views and information, and develop working relationships.
  • Conduct "head counts" to help predict the outcome of upcoming votes.
  • Determine campaign strategies for media advertising, positions on issues, and public appearances.
  • Encourage and support party candidates for political office.
  • Establish personal offices in local districts or states, and manage office staff.
  • Evaluate the structure, efficiency, activities, and performance of government agencies.
  • Organize and maintain campaign organizations and fundraisers, in order to raise money for election or re-election.
  • Oversee expense allowances, ensuring that accounts are balanced at the end of each fiscal year.
  • Promote the industries and products of their electoral districts.
  • Represent their government at local, national, and international meetings and conferences.
  • Speak to students to encourage and support the development of future political leaders.
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Experience Requirements

Job Zone Save Table: XLSX CSV

Title
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related Experience
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Job Zone Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
SVP Range
(7.0 to < 8.0)

Training & Credentials

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Worker Characteristics

Interests Save Table: XLSX CSV

Occupational InterestInterest
75
 
Enterprising — Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
45
 
Social — Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
44
 
Conventional — Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
39
 
Investigative — Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
28
 
Artistic — Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.
9
 
Realistic — Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Work Values Save Table: XLSX CSV

ExtentWork Value
78
 
Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
72
 
Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
67
 
Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
67
 
Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
56
 
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
50
 
Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Workforce Characteristics

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wages (2022)
$48,090 annual
State wages
Local wages
Employment (2022)
44,400 employees
Projected growth (2022-2032)
Average (2% to 4%)
Projected job openings (2022-2032)
3,400
State trends
Top industries (2022)
Government (100% employed in this sector)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022 wage data and 2022-2032 employment projections . “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2022-2032). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

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