How Local Policymakers Serve: Types of Elected Positions in Local Government

Across the United States, local elected officials dedicate their time to ensuring that community needs are met. But current data on the nature of their positions – whether they are full-time, part-time, or something else – is lacking. For more comprehensive understanding, CivicPulse, in partnership with Professor David Switzer at the University of Missouri, asked local elected officials to tell us more about the parameters of their roles. 

By far, part-time salaried roles are the most common form of service, with 43% of local elected officials serving in this capacity. Over the years, our conversations with local leaders have hinted at this reality. For example, officials have mentioned ongoing vocations outside of their elected positions and challenges posed by limited hours in quorum. 

In addition to being limited in the number of hours, local elected positions tend to be voluntary. 28% of officials said they serve in a voluntary position with a stipend while 9% said they serve without compensation. Another 3% said they hold positions with alternate arrangements, such as a per diem. Only 16% of local elected officials serve in full-time salaried roles. 

Types of positions held by local elected officials 

This figure shows how respondents answered the question “what type of position do you have in government?” Data come from a national survey of 408 local government policymakers serving communities of 1,000 or more in the United States. 

Volunteerism in local government is especially common in smaller communities. Among officials serving communities with less than 10,000 residents, 34% are volunteers receiving stipends while 12% are volunteers without compensation. Comparatively, only 16% of officials in communities of 50,000 or more residents serve in voluntary positions with stipends, and just 2% serve without compensation. 

On the flip side, salaried positions, including those that are part-time, become more common as community size increases. In larger communities (50,000+ residents), 53% of officials fill part-time salaried roles, the most common position type. Just under a quarter (24%) of officials in these larger communities receive full-time salaries. For officials in communities with populations under 10,000, part-time salaried roles are still the most common (40%), though slightly below the overall average (43%). Only 12% of elected officials in smaller communities are employed full-time. 

Position types of local elected officials, by population size 

This table displays the percentage of respondents for each answer to the question “what type of position do you have in government?” by population size. Data come from a national survey of 408 local government policymakers serving communities of 1,000 or more in the United States.

While positions vary across communities, such as by population size, local elected offices are filled by Americans who embody the spirit of volunteerism. The prevalence of part-time and voluntary service across the board highlights the dedication that local elected officials bring to supporting their communities.  

But the level of dedication local leadership requires also points to a bleaker reality: significant financial barriers may deter promising candidates from running. In turn, this may contribute to the near third of local elections that are uncontested. By finding ways to reduce these barriers, communities can open the door for more residents to step up and bring their skills and perspectives to local government. 

Survey background   

This research brief uses data from a nationally representative survey of local elected policymakers in U.S. townships, municipalities, and county governments serving communities of 1,000 or more. Elected policymakers include top elected officials (e.g., mayor, county executive) and governing board members (e.g., council member, county legislator). The survey was fielded from May 10, 2023 to June 28, 2023. 408 local officials completed the survey.   

Survey text   

What type of position do you have in government? Response options: Full-time salary, Part-time salary, Volunteer (stipend), Volunteer (no compensation), Other 

Press Contact       

Victoria Starbuck    

Research Director 

victoriastarbuck@civicpulse.org    

Additional Resources   

For access to the underlying data for this brief, email us at info@civicpulse.org.