Campaign canvasser
Also known as: political canvasser, party campaigner, canvasser, political party volunteer, political campaign canvasser, campaign worker
About this occupation
Campaign canvassers operate on field level to persuade the public to vote for the political candidate they represent. They engage in direct conversation with the public in public places, and gather information on the public's opinion, as well as perform activities ensuring that information on the campaign reaches a wide audience.
A specialisation of political campaign officer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- canvassing methods
- influence voting behaviour
- present arguments persuasively
- engage passers-by in conversation
- present a cause
- use different communication channels
- perform fundraising activities
- maintain professional records
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers (O*NET 41-9091.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Explain products or services and prices and demonstrate use of products.
- Develop prospect lists.
- Deliver merchandise and collect payment.
- Write and record orders for merchandise or enter orders into computers.
- Arrange buying parties and solicit sponsorship of such parties to sell merchandise.
- Answer questions about product features and benefits.
- Typical education (US)
- Less than a High School Diploma
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Realistic
Top skills: Speaking, Persuasion, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Active Listening, Coordination
US median pay: US$41,380 a year (2025), 2,760 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.3)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Less than a High School Diploma
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Retail Salespersons
- Counter and Rental Clerks
- Demonstrators and Product Promoters
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
- Cashiers
- Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
- Telemarketers
- Driver/Sales Workers
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
- Order Clerks
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.