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Government Affairs Specialist II Salary in the United States

How much does a Government Affairs Specialist II make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Government Affairs Specialist II in the United States is $104,435 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

However, a Government Affairs Specialist II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $128,002
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $94,171 to $116,771
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $84,826
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Government Affairs Specialist II Salaries

A Government Affairs Specialist II's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Government Affairs Specialist II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Government Affairs Specialist II's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Government Affairs Specialist I (2-4 years): $89,293
  • Government Affairs Specialist II (4-7 years): $104,435
  • Government Affairs Specialist III (7+ years): $148,542
  • Government Affairs Specialist IV (7-10 years): $178,242
  • Government Affairs Manager (10+ years): $150,552
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Government Affairs Specialist I2-4 years$89,293
Government Affairs Specialist II4-7 years$104,435
Government Affairs Specialist III7+ years$148,542
Government Affairs Specialist IV7-10 years$178,242
Government Affairs Manager10+ years$150,552
View as Graph

How Do Government Affairs Specialist IIs Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Government Affairs Specialist IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $115,630.
  • California: $115,192.
  • Massachusetts: $113,657.

Top Paying Cities for Government Affairs Specialist II

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $131,724
  • San Francisco: $130,282
  • Oakland: $127,536

What Skills Can Increase a Government Affairs Specialist II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 16.02% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.48% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Research Analysis (Mentioned in 1.18% Job Postings): Research data analysis is a process used by researchers for reducing data to a story and interpreting it to derive insights.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 16.02%
Microsoft Office 2.48%
Research Analysis 1.18%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Government Affairs Specialist II's salary.

  • Research Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Research Analysis $121,145
16%
Insight $115,923
11%
Flexibility $114,879
10%
Get Latest Data

Government Affairs Specialist II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Government Affairs Specialist II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $116,909. While startup companies pay approximate $98,902.

Government Affairs Specialist II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $98,902
Growth Stage 51~500 $104,601
Established 501~5000 $112,896
Enterprise 5000+ $116,909

Government Affairs Specialist II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Government Affairs Specialist II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Government Affairs Specialist positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Government Affairs Specialist II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Government Affairs Specialist II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$125,322$60.020%
Energy & Utilities$120,100$58.015%
Aerospace & Defense$116,967$56.012%
Financial Services$114,879$55.010%
Healthcare$114,879$55.010%

How Education impacts an Government Affairs Specialist II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Government Affairs Specialist II enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Government Affairs Specialist II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $94,421 and $101,252.

Government Affairs Specialist II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Government Affairs Specialist II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.3%
High School 5.8%
Associates 6.3%
Bachelors 39.8%
Masters 37.3%
Doctorate 9.6%
View as Graph

Government Affairs Specialist II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Government Affairs Specialist II's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$94,171
Average $104,435/year
$116,771
$7,848
Average $8,703/month
$9,731
$1,811
Average $2,008/week
$2,246
$45
Average $50/hour
$56
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $116,771 $9,731 $2,246 $56
Average $104,435 $8,703 $2,008 $50
25th Percentile $94,171 $7,848 $1,811 $45

Government Affairs Specialist II Salary Growth & Career Path

Government Affairs Specialist II

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Government Affairs Specialist II, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Government Affairs Specialist III $148,542 42%
Corporate Lobbyist $190,078 82%

Most common benefits for Government Affairs Specialist II

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Government Affairs Specialist II

Here are companies hiring for Government Affairs Specialist II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Government Affairs Specialist II

1. Where can a Government Affairs Specialist II earn the most?

A Government Affairs Specialist II's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Government Affairs Specialist II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Government Affairs Specialist II is $131,724.

2. What is the highest pay for Government Affairs Specialist II?

The highest pay for Government Affairs Specialist II is $128,002.

3. What is the lowest pay for Government Affairs Specialist II?

The lowest pay for Government Affairs Specialist II is $84,826.

4. What are the responsibilities of Government Affairs Specialist II?

Supports the implementation of strategic plans and engagement objectives to develop and maintain productive relations with all levels of government authorities to achieve business goals. Liaises with government entities (federal, state, provincial, or local) that regulate or influence business activities. Collaborates with industry groups and organizations with complementary objectives to achieve objectives. Monitors and analyses proposed legislation, emerging issues, and trends and prepare reports and informational documents to inform and support business leaders. Requires a bachelor's degree in public policy, public administration, business or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4 -7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Government Affairs Specialist II?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Government Affairs Specialist II roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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