Job Description of Campaign Canvass Workers

by Scott Thompson
Canvassers work to raise money and sway voters at election time.

Canvassers work to raise money and sway voters at election time.

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Canvassers work for election campaigns, ballot referendum campaigns, and ongoing political advocacy or fundraising campaigns for a variety of causes. Canvassing jobs are among the easiest jobs to get if you are new to an area or don't have much work experience, but you will have to be very persuasive to keep the job and make a living.

What Canvassers Do

Canvassers are employed for two primary purposes -- to persuade undecided voters to vote for a particular candidate or ballot issue at election time, and to raise money for a cause. Campaigns to elect a candidate frequently make use of unpaid volunteers, who conduct canvassing duties to help their party or their candidate win. Campaigns for ballot issues and fundraising purposes often employ paid canvassers. Job ads for these positions usually stress the idea that working as a canvasser is a way to make a living while doing good in the world.

Canvassing Methods

Canvassers usually work in places with heavy foot traffic, trying to engage passers-by in conversation. The goal varies depending on the campaign. Some canvassers ask people to sign a petition. Others persuade people to pledge to vote for or against a certain issue. Canvassers working on a fundraising campaign will ask people to pledge money, either as a one-time donation or a recurring charge. Some canvassers go door to door to solicit donations or petition signatures, and some contact previous supporters by phone.

Pay and Schedule

Pay for canvassing work varies depending on the campaign. Some campaigns pay per signature or on a commission basis, so unsuccessful canvassers may earn only minimum wage. According to a 2010 story published in the Philadelphia City Paper, two large canvassing organizations are responsible for more canvassing jobs in the United States than any others. The Fund for Public Interest Research and Grassroots Campaigns Incorporated advertise that their jobs pay between $300 and $500 per week, but canvassers who meet only the minimum quota are paid minimum wage. Canvassers who prove to be ineffective are let go after two warnings. Working hours also vary by campaign; canvassers working on the street will generally work during daylight hours, while door-to-door canvassers often work from afternoon to evening.


Canvassing is generally a temporary job for people trying to establish themselves in a new place or for people who require part-time income, such as college students. If you find that you like the work and are a successful canvasser, you can make it a career by moving into management. For instance, the Fund for Public Interest Research sometimes promotes experienced canvassers to the position of assistant canvass director or canvass director. According to the Fund for Public Interest Research website, an assistant canvass director position earned $23,750 a year as of 2013, and the canvass director position paid $25,550 a year, with vacation time and benefits.

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