23 of the Highest Paying Local Government Jobs in 2026

The best Local Government jobs can pay up to $206,000 per year.

High Paying Local Government Jobs

• Deputy Controller

  Salary range: $131,500 - $206,000

  The majority of Deputy Controller salaries across the United States currently range between $131,500 (25th percentile) and $206,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Deputy Controller job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Commissioner

  Salary range: $196,500 - $196,500

  A commissioner is appointed by judges to perform a variety of judicial functions, set on a case-by-case basis. As a commissioner, you are likely called upon to adjudicate cases and act as a judge when a judge cannot be present; your powers are limited by state statutes but are generally equal to judges with regards to minor cases. You have the power to pass binding judgments after hearing court cases. You are particularly useful to the judicial system in that you free judges to focus more time and energy on complex cases requiring their expertise. Being a commissioner is a significant responsibility, but one that can provide invaluable experience for a career in the judiciary or in politics. Your job duties include serving as part of judicial committees, hearing cases, and processing court-related documents. Commissioners are required to be members of the state bar and have admittance to practice before the supreme court.

• Country Manager

  Salary range: $106,000 - $190,000

  As a country manager, you oversee corporate relocations, international removals, and operational activities of your company, as well as create and monitor financial plans. Your duties range from recordkeeping responsibilities to managing personnel. Often, country managers must travel for work or they may relocate for a specific role. Your career requires communication, technology, interpersonal skills, and cultural sensitivity. You work with diverse populations to meet larger organizational goals. Qualifications for a country manager position vary, but in general, employers expect a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, or another relevant field. Experience in similar jobs is also an asset, though it depends on the industry.

• City Manager

  Salary range: $66,000 - $150,000

  As a city manager, you have a host of official political and administrative duties carried out at the instruction of a city council or mayor. In smaller municipalities, a city manager may directly implement a wide range of governmental policies, while in larger towns and cities, you generally head up different departments within city government, such as the budget office, human resources, or public works. Regardless of the size of the city, you have a role with significant responsibilities related to budgetary, managerial, and operational strategies and goals.

• Deputy Administrator

  Salary range: $92,000 - $150,000

  The majority of Deputy Administrator salaries across the United States currently range between $92,000 (25th percentile) and $150,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Deputy Administrator job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Deputy Head

  Salary range: $83,500 - $142,000

  The majority of Deputy Head salaries across the United States currently range between $83,500 (25th percentile) and $142,000 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Deputy Head job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Town Manager

  Salary range: $106,500 - $141,500

  A mayor and town manager have similar duties, but mayors are elected by residents, whereas a town manager is appointed by the local governing body, such as a city council. The town manager oversees the city administration offices and government operations. Job responsibilities include coordinating activities across multiple departments, communicating with the public, and managing internal affairs. Town managers also plan the city’s budget for approval by the city council. Most cities require their town manager to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration or public administration and extensive experience working in municipal government.

• County Administrator

  Salary range: $73,000 - $141,000

  A county administrator’s job is to oversee the daily operations of a county government. You are the go-between for the county board of directors and the various departments, such as sanitation, water reclamation, and health administration. As a county manager, your duties include creating and reviewing budgets for the different departments; discussing local issues with department heads, clients, and the public; attending public hearings and city council meetings, and being present during emergency situations. You are often at board and department meetings, and you do outreach to secure more investment, such as new construction or job creation, from private industry and the state government.

• Deputy Manager

  Salary range: $97,500 - $141,000

  A deputy manager reports directly to the general manager of an organization and is responsible for assisting in the management procedures and operations. Your duties vary depending on the organization, but you typically have responsibilities related to budgeting and distribution of budgeted funds. You work as an assistant to the general manager to determine budgets for each department and work to allocate those funds accordingly. Your job duties also include the firing and training of employees, especially those that assist in the administration of the organization.

• Deputy Commissioner

  Salary range: $55,500 - $140,500

  Deputy commissioner refers to official positions, usually within state administrative agencies, vested with some measure of institutional authority, and overseen by a commissioner or commissioner’s office. As a deputy commissioner, you manage significant resources to complete projects identified by the commissioner or the authoritative bodies under which you operate. Your job duties include ensuring (and perhaps enforcing) regulatory compliance, reporting before administrative bodies, managing task-forces or working groups, and advising stakeholders of their rights and obligations.

• City Administrator

  Salary range: $69,500 - $134,500

  As a city administrator, sometimes known as a city manager, you oversee the day-to-day operations and services of a city or town. You are responsible for implementing the plans and policies of the city government. You spend time planning and implementing programs meant to benefit the members of the public who live in your city. Job duties may vary from city to city, but in general, a city administrator’s goal is to improve and then maintain the quality of life for city residents.

• Deputy General Manager

  Salary range: $47,000 - $111,000

  The majority of Deputy General Manager salaries across the United States currently range between $47,000 (25th percentile) and $111,000 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Deputy General Manager job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Municipal Services Manager

  Salary range: $96,500 - $109,500

  The majority of Municipal Services Manager salaries across the United States currently range between $96,500 (25th percentile) and $109,500 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Municipal Services Manager job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Deputy Treasurer

  Salary range: $45,500 - $108,500

  As a deputy treasurer, you assist an organization’s treasurer and other financial officers with a variety of technical and administrative duties related to supervising investments, risks, and financial operations. Deputy treasurers typically work in municipal and state governments. You work closely with these other officers to develop short- and long-term strategies that ensure the financial health of your institution. You are responsible for verifying financial risks to investments, assessing the institution’s liquidity, organizing and approving budgets and financing for projects, and providing day-to-day supervision of financial operations.

• City Clerk

  Salary range: $48,000 - $97,000

  A city clerk performs a number of duties related to the day-to-day business of a municipality or city government. In this role, you perform tasks like taking minutes during city council meetings, overseeing city election locations, and taking care of files related to city business. Additional job duties include preparing the necessary documents, storing those documents in hard copy or electronically, and preparing packets of documentation. These packets of information may be used during city meetings or provided to the public.

• City Planner

  Salary range: $57,000 - $81,000

  A city planner develops short-term and long-term land use plans and programs for a city or municipality. As a city planner, your primary focus is determining the optimal use of land and resources to maintain communities, accommodate population growth, and revitalize outdated or inefficient physical facilities. City planners may choose to specialize in certain areas of development, such as transportation, code enforcement, or community development. Your job duties may involve conducting research for zoning and landscaping laws, evaluating regulations, and drafting legislation.

• City Treasurer

  Salary range: $58,000 - $80,000

  A city treasurer works for the local government and manages the finances of a city. As a city treasurer, your job duties include overseeing the annual budgets of the municipal city, evaluating the need to adjust tax rates, and working with other government officials to determine where tax dollars should be spent. The career typically requires a bachelor’s degree in business or accounting and extensive public office experience. Employers may also prefer candidates with a CPA license and a master’s degree in a subject like public administration. Additional qualifications include excellent accounting, interpersonal, and analytical skills, as well as leadership and project management abilities.

• Deputy City Clerk

  Salary range: $45,500 - $79,500

  The majority of Deputy City Clerk salaries across the United States currently range between $45,500 (25th percentile) and $79,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Deputy City Clerk job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• City Dispatcher

  Salary range: $69,000 - $73,000

  The majority of City Dispatcher salaries across the United States currently range between $69,000 (25th percentile) and $73,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the City Dispatcher job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Town Clerk

  Salary range: $33,500 - $60,500

  The majority of Town Clerk salaries across the United States currently range between $33,500 (25th percentile) and $60,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Town Clerk job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

• Deputy Clerk

  Salary range: $34,500 - $51,000

  A deputy clerk performs administrative tasks for a county, state, or federal court system. Also called an assistant court clerk, a deputy clerk is a point of contact for civilians, attorneys, law enforcement officers, and judicial officers like judges and magistrates. As a deputy clerk, your job duties includes the preparation and processing of legal documents, and the collection of bond payments, court fees, and fines. You also work with the coordination of court case dockets, the swearing-in of witnesses under oath, and the recording of minutes during trials.

• Program Technician

  Salary range: $34,000 - $39,000

  The majority of Program Technician salaries across the United States currently range between $34,000 (25th percentile) and $39,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Program Technician job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• County Program Technician

  Salary range: $34,500 - $35,000

  A county program technician works in a governmental Farm Service Agency (FSA) program office and provides customer and administrative support. As a county program technician, you work with FSA programs that deal with agricultural issues such as conservation and crop disasters. Your duties include maintaining sensitive documents, answering customer inquiries and explaining program procedures, and processing payments. You may also screen customers to determine eligibility for FSA programs. To pursue a career as a county program technician, you typically need at least a high school diploma or GED certificate and prior work experience in a similar role. Employers also require candidates to pass a background investigation and be a United States citizen or national. Additional qualifications include excellent computer, interpersonal, and clerical skills.