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Opposition Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

WisDems

Research Tracking Associate

Madison, WI · On-site

$45K - $50K/yr

As a Research Tracking Associate, you will be the eyes and ears of our research team, gathering ... You are comfortable attending GOP and opposition events as an observer. You know how to maintain ...

TaskForce

Research and Administrative Manager

Experience with opposition research, political data, or public records. * Background in editing or memo production. Benefits Health insurance and paid vacation, plus the opportunity to do work with ...

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How much do opposition research jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for opposition research in the United States is $35.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.63 and $44.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Are Opposition Research Jobs?

Opposition research jobs involve collecting information and creating reports about a political opponent. Your duties include looking through public records, fact-checking an opponent’s statements, and defining their political platform and issues. You then report your findings to members of your employer’s election campaign staff. Some researchers add information to a central database operated by a political party. You may use such a database to find previous information about the opponent. As an opposition researcher, you can work for a particular political candidate or different candidates associated with a political party. Some campaigns hire private firms to handle research responsibilities.

What is opposition research?

Opposition research is the practice of collecting and analyzing information about political opponents or competitors, typically to find facts that could be used to discredit or challenge them during a campaign. This can include public records, past statements, voting history, business dealings, and personal background. The goal is to uncover information that could influence public perception or campaign strategy. Opposition research is common in politics but is also used in business and legal contexts.

What is the difference between Opposition Research vs Political Campaign Research?

AspectOpposition ResearchPolitical Campaign Research
PurposeTo gather information on opponents to influence elections or policy decisionsTo understand voter behavior, preferences, and demographics for campaign strategy
CredentialsResearch skills, political knowledge, investigative techniquesPolling, data analysis, voter outreach experience
Work EnvironmentPolitical campaigns, consulting firms, government officesCampaign offices, polling firms, political consulting

While both roles involve research within the political industry, Opposition Research focuses on uncovering information about opponents to gain strategic advantages, whereas Political Campaign Research aims to understand voters and tailor campaign messages. Both require strong research skills and are integral to political strategy but serve different objectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Opposition Researcher, and why are they important?

To excel as an Opposition Researcher, you need strong analytical skills, investigative abilities, and a background in political science, journalism, or a related field. Familiarity with databases, public records, LexisNexis, and advanced internet search techniques is often required. Outstanding attention to detail, discretion, and effective written communication are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies are vital for producing accurate, actionable intelligence that informs campaign strategies and decision-making.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in opposition research, and how can they be addressed?

Opposition research professionals often deal with tight deadlines, rapidly changing priorities, and the need to verify large volumes of information under pressure. Maintaining accuracy and objectivity while handling sensitive or controversial material can be challenging. Building strong organizational skills, developing meticulous research habits, and collaborating closely with campaign teams help ensure findings are credible, timely, and actionable. Leveraging technology and establishing a reliable network of sources also contribute to greater efficiency and reliability in this fast-paced field.
More about Opposition Research jobs
What cities are hiring for Opposition Research jobs? Cities with the most Opposition Research job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Opposition Research jobs? The most popular types of Opposition Research jobs are:
What states have the most Opposition Research jobs? States with the most job openings for Opposition Research jobs include:
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Opposition Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Opposition Research job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,741 per year, or $35.5 per hour.
Resume Bank: Manager - Opposition Research Full-Time

Resume Bank: Manager - Opposition Research Full-Time

Nesbitt & Parrinello

Remote

$63K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

All opportunities are remote and employees are required to live and work in the United States. You will work with an amazing team to win some of the most critical Democratic campaigns of the election cycle. All full-time opportunities will receive a competitive benefits package to include, but not limited to: paid time off, insurance benefits, remote work/office stipend and wellness benefits.
Research Managers will manage all aspects of political opposition research including vetting, research book and memo writing, fact checking and copy editing at the highest levels of American political campaigns. Under the guidance of firm leadership, managers will also conduct professional relationship development, client management, and sales.
This is a full-time, exempt opportunity in a remote professional office environment. Candidates can expect night, weekend, and unconventional work hours. Candidates will need access to a secure and private work environment and reliable internet connection.
Great candidates have most of the following:
  • Dedication to building a more progressive America and interest in the business of political consulting;
  • Experience managing diverse teams in campaign research either with a consulting firm, a DC political committee, or directly with a campaign, or a similar environment;
    • Ideal candidates will have prior experience as opposition research or communications staff or in campaign management;
    • Commitment to managing with empathy, being an excellent teammate, and building a workplace that is representative of the diverse communities we want to support in our work;
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills; are able to ask questions, pitch ideas, and give and receive feedback;
  • Demonstrated initiative to work both independently and in collaboration with teams, balance multiple projects, and meet tight deadlines while remaining highly detail-oriented;
  • Ability to write, edit, and fact-check with precision and on deadline during high-volume, fast-paced periods;
  • Extensive experience with LexisNexis, public records requests, analyzing primary source documents, commonly-used research databases and other basic opposition research tasks;
  • Digitally native and comfortable learning new softwares for communication, project management, and research. Bonus points for familiarity with Git, markdown, or Salesforce;
  • Eagerness to be a part of a fast-growing firm with potential for pathways to ownership.
About Us
N&P is a minority-owned and a woman-owned small business. Allen Nesbitt started our business in 2005 and he is the first Black person to lead a Democratic opposition research firm in the United States. Allen Nesbitt and Cristina Parrinello are diverse researchers who are committed to encouraging and training future generations of diverse researchers. N&P is led by a diverse team: we are 44% people of color, 30% LGBTQ+, and our management team is 66% women.
Our mission is to make the world a more progressive, inclusive, and fair place and this begins with the internal functioning of our company. We strive to integrate cultural competency both within our work product and within our team. We aim to exceed the minimum non-discrimination policies by proactively recruiting from underrepresented communities via Historically Black Colleges and Universities and minority ethnic group-focused academic support organizations.
We strive to provide equal opportunity to all team members and future team members. We believe that extraordinary results stem from the broadest possible diversity of opinions and backgrounds. We provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, marital status, or any other category provided by state or local laws.

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