Government Affairs Manager Jobs in California

Government Affairs Manager jobs in California are concentrated in Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, where the legislature, major corporate headquarters, and leading technology and healthcare companies drive consistent demand for policy professionals. Employers like Pacific Gas and Electric, Kaiser Permanente, and Apple maintain active government affairs teams in the state, hiring across regulatory affairs, legislative advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. California is among the most active markets in the country for this role, with openings at every level from associate manager to vice president. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles12
Top employerZoox
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring10
Work type75% On-site
Top industryTrucking

Showing 5 of 12+ Government Affairs Manager jobs

Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Government Affairs Analyst I/II (DOQ)
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Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Added 3d ago
Government Affairs Analyst I/II (DOQ)
Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Chino, California
Brand Marketing
Growth Marketing
Marketing
$120k.18 - $162k.3/yr
Bachelor's degree
201-500

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SAN JOSE WATER COMPANY
Director, Government Relations and Public Affairs
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SAN JOSE WATER COMPANY
Added 1w ago
Director, Government Relations and Public Affairs
SAN JOSE WATER COMPANY
San Jose, California
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$199k - $243k/yr
201-500

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GEICO
Senior Manager, Government & Regulatory Affairs
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GEICO
Added 1w ago
Senior Manager, Government & Regulatory Affairs
GEICO
Sacramento, California
Corporate Training
Educational Administration
Learning & Development
$159k - $248k/yr
Remote (US)
10,000+

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Tesla
Technical Program Manager, Government Affairs, Tesla AI
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Tesla
Added 2w ago
Technical Program Manager, Government Affairs, Tesla AI
Tesla
Palo Alto, California
Business Strategy
Corporate Development & M&A
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
$97k - $168k/yr
10,000+

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AltaMed Health Services
Manager, Policy & Government Affairs
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AltaMed Health Services
Added 3w ago
Manager, Policy & Government Affairs
AltaMed Health Services
Montebello, California
Healthcare Administration
$119k - $149k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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See All 12 Government Affairs Manager Jobs in California

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Government Affairs Manager Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
2 jobs
San Francisco
2 jobs
Chino
1 job
Pomona
1 job
San Jose
1 job
Hawthorne
1 job
Palo Alto
1 job
Montebello
1 job
Sacramento
1 job

Government Affairs Manager Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Zoox
Zoox1 open role
Amgen
Amgen1 open role
GEICO
GEICO1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Trucking
  • Automotive
  • Science & Research
  • Aerospace & Defense
  • Healthcare & Medical Services

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in government affairs manager jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, law, or a related field
  • Five or more years of experience in government relations, lobbying, or public affairs
  • Demonstrated knowledge of California's legislative and regulatory processes
  • Experience managing relationships with California state agencies and elected officials
  • Ability to draft policy positions, white papers, and legislative testimony
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for diverse stakeholder audiences

Government Affairs Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a government affairs manager in California?

Most government affairs managers in California enter the role through a bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, law, or communications, followed by several years in a government agency, legislative office, or advocacy organization. California does not require a state-issued license for this role, but candidates who have worked within the California Legislature, the Governor's Office, or a state regulatory agency carry a significant advantage. Experience with Sacramento's budget and appropriations process is highly valued by major employers.

How much do government affairs managers make in California?

Government affairs managers in California earn a median of about $167,980 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $97,800 for the lowest 10% to over $300,800 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire government affairs managers in California?

Employers hiring government affairs managers in California right now include Zoox, Amgen, and GEICO, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's size and regulatory complexity mean large utilities, health systems, and technology companies typically maintain in-house government affairs teams rather than relying solely on contract lobbyists.

Which California cities have the most government affairs manager jobs?

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chino have the most government affairs manager openings in California. Sacramento leads because it is the seat of state government and hosts the California Legislature, attracting both public agencies and private-sector employers who need direct access to policymakers, while Los Angeles and San Francisco generate demand through their dense concentrations of large corporate headquarters in entertainment, technology, and healthcare.

Are there remote government affairs manager jobs in California?

Yes, but they are less common than in purely analytical or desk-based roles, because government affairs work frequently requires in-person presence at the State Capitol, agency hearings, or stakeholder meetings. About 25% of government affairs manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with remote arrangements most often applied to the research, writing, and strategy portions of the role rather than the direct advocacy and relationship-management functions.

How can I get hired as a government affairs manager in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a staff role in the California Legislature, a California state agency, or a Sacramento-based trade association, where policy research and constituent liaison work build directly transferable skills. Adjacent roles such as policy analyst, legislative aide, public affairs coordinator, or regulatory affairs specialist are the common stepping stones that California employers recognize. Large California utilities, health systems, and technology companies occasionally hire associates into government affairs departments for candidates holding a master's degree in public policy or a Juris Doctor, even without prior lobbying experience.

Where can I find and apply to government affairs manager jobs in California?

You can find and apply to government affairs manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings for this role. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.

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