I just got an offer for a staff assistant position and the pay is a bit lower than what I expected. They offered me $40k and while this would be a big upgrade from where I grew up (MS) the cost of living here is insane! I’d be almost doubling my income but I can’t figure out how I’d even make rent. Do people here have any advice on salary negotiations? I don’t want to come across as ungreatful because I really want to get on the Hill but I just don’t know how this is going to work.
Offices can pay as much as they want. It really depends on their culture and budget. If they’ve already spent it on pricier staff, you’re probably SOL. But how much more would you need to make living in this city feasible?
$40-50k is the going rate. Look at Legistorm.
1 Like
@CatholicResentment is right. This is all you should expect from a staff assistant title.
For what it’s worth, if you perform well, you could get a LC spot within about a year if you’re lucky and that’ll get you a bit of a bump
1 Like
it really is brutal, and i’m sorry that they haven’t fixed it yet.
at least the house side has a minimum of $45k, but even that’s terrible.
i started out at $37k as a staff assistant. we shouldn’t put young people through that but we do.
Get a second job as a bartender / bouncer
3 Likes
a SA in my office is a barista at the coffee bar
Did you end up starting as a staff assistant? I just heard about a LC position and I know the office is open to hiring someone fresh outta undergrad if they have the maturity and writing samples to back it up. DM me if you’re interested.
Yes I started recently, but just DM’d you. Thanks again!
They do this on purpose to keep The Poors out.
1 Like
It really does feel that way. Even at the more senior levels, payscales make no sense if the Hill actually wanted to retain talent.