Industry Lobbying Comparison
Compare lobbying spending across industries. Select industries below to see how they stack up. Data from 726,000+ Senate LDA filings (2018-2025).
Total Lobbying Spending (2018-2025)
Healthcare & Pharma
Drug pricing, Medicare, FDA, patents
Technology
Antitrust, AI, privacy, Section 230
Defense & Aerospace
NDAA, weapons systems, procurement
Key Insights
Healthcare Dominates
Healthcare & Pharma spends more than double any other industry on lobbying. With $4.4B+ since 2018, it accounts for roughly 25% of all federal lobbying spending — more than defense and tech combined.
Tech Is the Fastest Growing
Technology lobbying is growing at 15% annually — the fastest of any sector. Driven by AI regulation, antitrust enforcement, and privacy legislation, tech spending has more than quadrupled since 2015.
The Trade Group Multiplier
Industry totals include trade group spending. The National Association of Realtors alone accounts for $387M — more than many entire industries spend. Trade groups amplify industry voice beyond company-level lobbying.
Education: Small but Growing
Education lobbying is the smallest sector at $280M but growing at 9%/year — driven by student loan policy, Title IX debates, and fights over federal education funding.