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Mayor

Also called mayoress, lord mayor, civic leader

Mayors chair their jurisdiction's council meetings and act as main supervisor of the local government's administrative and operational policies. They also represent their jurisdiction in ceremonial and official events and promote activities and events. They, together with the council, hold the local or regional legislative power and oversee development and implementation of policies. They also supervise staff and perform administrative duties.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects37 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Chief executives, senior officials and legislatorsWhat does it pay?Well above averageFrom about €3,100 (Latvia) to €11,700 (Luxembourg) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Chief executives, senior officials and legislatorsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree7 in 10 have a degree.Chief executives, senior officials and legislatorsWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Legislators · ILO

What you'd do

Legislators · ILO
  • Presiding over or participating in the proceedings of legislative bodies and administrative councils of national, state, regional or local governments or legislative assemblies
  • Determining, formulating and directing policies of national, state, regional or local governments
  • Making, ratifying, amending or repealing laws, public rules and regulations within a statutory or constitutional framework
  • Serving on government administrative boards or official committees
  • Investigating matters of concern to the public and promoting the interests of the constituencies which they represent
  • Attending community functions and meetings to provide service to the community, understand public opinion and provide information on government plans
  • Negotiating with other legislators and representatives of interest groups in order to reconcile differing interests, and to create policies and agreements
  • As members of the government, directing senior administrators and officials of government departments and agencies in the interpretation and implementation of government policies
Manage government policy implementationPerform government ceremoniesMaintain relationships with government agenciesLiaise with local authoritiesManage administrative systems+ 2 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the related, broader US job "Chief Executives"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as chief executives, senior officials and legislators in the EU
1.63m1.79m1.87m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
93,000 new jobs 567,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Chief executives, senior officials and legislators37
All jobs29
Right now
4 of 27 countries report a shortage of legislators, 3 a surplus.
Legislators · EURES

What does it pay?

Well above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €3,100 a month (Latvia) to €11,700 (Luxembourg), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among managers in the EU, women earn 27% less per hour than men. Managers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in political sciences and civics is the usual route.

Highest qualification of chief executives, senior officials and legislators (EU, 2025)
Degree 71%Vocational 19%General secondary 7%Basic schooling 4%
Field that teaches it
Political sciences and civics
Vocational route, EU
1 in 10 trainees in this field
Social science graduates in a matching job
59% in the EU

927 institutions in the EU offer social science bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.31 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 8 tasks
Determining, formulating and directing policies of national, state, regional or local governments0.36
Investigating matters of concern to the public and promoting the interests of the constituencies which they represent0.34
Presiding over or participating in the proceedings of legislative bodies and administrative councils of national, state, regional or local governments or legislative assemblies0.34
Attending community functions and meetings to provide service to the community, understand public opinion and provide information on government plans0.34
As members of the government, directing senior administrators and officials of government departments and agencies in the interpretation and implementation of government policies0.33
Making, ratifying, amending or repealing laws, public rules and regulations within a statutory or constitutional framework0.29
Negotiating with other legislators and representatives of interest groups in order to reconcile differing interests, and to create policies and agreements0.26
Serving on government administrative boards or official committees0.25

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for legislators. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).