THE POLICY MAKER
Policy Analyst Salary
By Henry R. Steele – April 15, 2018
Reading Time: 9 minutes
The following article discusses the career path of Policy Analyst. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Policy Analysts.
Job Duties
Policy analysts implement, adjust, or change public policies, laws, and regulations. They often work for the government or for organizations that are involved in government lobbying. In some cases, they may be employed by for-profit organizations who wish to change certain political actions and regulations.
Sometimes, they specialize in certain topics, such as energy. However, most of them focus on general politics and how this affects daily government actions. They provide advice to government executives and legislators, making suggestions for improvement of regulations and laws. They will also develop relevant strategies to bring about their suggested change.
Policy analysts, particularly those who work for the government, must have a solid understanding of the different political factions and their interactions. They should also be able to come up with compromises so that the different political branches can find agreement. Should they work for outside organizations, they will focus on finding those politicians who share the ideals relevant to their targeted policy change and lobby them to take action.
Other job duties of the policy analyst are:
- To monitor, evaluate, and review legislation and policies in order to ascertain their impacts, flaws, and benefits
- To work together with internal and external stakeholders to understand the viewpoints, concerns, and needs that exist
- To gather qualitative and quantitative data and to analyze and integrate this into reports
- To write reports on policies in which information is synthesized and evidence is presented on how constituents benefit from proposed changes
Where We Work
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 7,300 political scientists in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals are:
- Federal government, excluding postal service 48%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services 27%
- Educational services; state, local, and private 7%
- Religious, grant making, civic, professional, and similar organizations 7%
- Self-employed workers 7%
How to Become
Those who want to become policy analysts should seek to obtain a political education, such as a degree in public policy or political science. Some choose more specific degree subjects that are related to politics, such as education. Most hold a master’s degree. Often, they will take on an entry level governmental position to gain experience and to build a contact network. They then grow into the position of analyst. Hours are quite long and irregular and travel is often required.
Education Requirements
A policy analyst is generally expected to hold a master’s degree, with some even having a Ph.D. To do this, they must first have completed a bachelor’s degree, usually in a field related to statistics, public policy, public administration or politics. Internships and work experience are also very important.
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The most popular degrees for policy analysts are the Master of Public Administration (MPA), the Master of Public Policy (MPP), and the Master of Public Affairs. These degrees are quite broad and some students choose a concentration in a policy area that they are particularly interested in. The master’s degree will always teach them about topics like statistics, program evaluation, policy formation, and research methods. Alternatively, a political science degree may be interesting, particularly with an applied concentration.
It is possible for graduates to take on an entry level position at bachelor’s degree level. This will enable them to gain experience and build a network. While working, they then complete their master’s degree, often with sponsorship of the government. Many also do volunteer work with political organizations.
Traits & Qualities
The most effective policy analysts have the following traits to some degree or other:
- Strong analytical skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Creativity
- Great critical thinking skills
- Empathy
- Strong negotiating skills
Minimum Education
Master’s Degree
National Salary
The national average salary estimate for Policy Analyst was $67,742. This number is estimated from over 253,036 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $35.28 and monthly of $5,645.
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- Most Reported
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$17,000
$151,000Salary Distribution
Salary by State
The following section lists Policy Analyst salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, Delaware had the largest quoted salary of $92,960 while Nebraska had the smallest quoted salary of $28,032.
| Arkansas – $50,827 | Rank: 20th |
| The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Arkansas…..Most Reported…..$25,000$77,000Salary Distribution | |
| Arizona – $49,728 | Rank: 22nd |
| The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Maricopa County, State of Arizona, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, and Gould Staffing….Most Reported……$19,000$94,000Salary Distribution | |
| California – $69,256 | Rank: 7th |
| The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Santa Clara County Housing Authority, San Francisco Unified School District, University of California-Riverside, and University of California Berkeley….Most Reported……$24,000$138,000Salary Distribution | |
| Colorado – $66,574 | Rank: 11th |
| The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MHP Salud, Colorado Department of Human Services, and State of Colorado….Most Reported……$21,000$136,000Salary Distribution | |
| DC – $87,370 | Rank: 2nd |
| The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Labor, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Energy….Most Reported……$24,000$190,000Salary Distribution | |
| Delaware – $92,960 | Rank: 1st |
| The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Citi…..Most Reported…..$46,000$141,000Salary Distribution | |
| Florida – $48,680 | Rank: 23rd |
| The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MHP Salud and Express Employment Professionals….Most Reported……$24,000$82,000Salary Distribution | |
| Georgia – $56,769 | Rank: 15th |
| The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Fulton County, GA, Office of Planning and Budget, and DoverStaffing Agency….Most Reported……$17,000$119,000Salary Distribution | |
| Iowa – $76,844 | Rank: 4th |
| The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Iowa Department of Revenue….Most Reported……$22,000$165,000Salary Distribution | |
| Idaho – $45,734 | Rank: 25th |
| The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like IDAHO DEPT. OF LABOR…..Most Reported…..$12.00$36.30Salary Distribution | |
| Illinois – $58,547 | Rank: 13th |
| The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like HSBC….Most Reported……$17,000$125,000Salary Distribution | |
| Indiana – $42,600 | Rank: 27th |
| The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Indiana….Most Reported……$14,000$90,000Salary Distribution | |
| Louisiana – $35,467 | Rank: 29th |
| The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ResCare Workforce Services..Most Reported……..$14,000$92,000Salary Distribution | |
| Massachusetts – $67,716 | Rank: 8th |
| The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Transportation, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Huxley Associates….Most Reported……$18,000$147,000Salary Distribution | |
| Maryland – $78,478 | Rank: 3rd |
| The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, State of Maryland, Ripple Effect Communications, Inc., and Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene….Most Reported……$25,000$161,000Salary Distribution | |
| Michigan – $47,586 | Rank: 24th |
| The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Michigan…Most Reported…….$14,000$113,000Salary Distribution | |
| Minnesota – $57,676 | Rank: 14th |
| The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION, MN Public Utilities Commission, State of Minnesota, and Minnesota Department of Human Services….Most Reported……$9.35$62.20Salary Distribution | |
| North Carolina – $54,034 | Rank: 17th |
| The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Wake County Government and The Greer Group, Inc…..Most Reported……$14,000$119,000Salary Distribution | |
| Nebraska – $28,032 | Rank: 30th |
| The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mutual of Omaha…..Most Reported…..$7.30$21.95Salary Distribution | |
| New York – $61,563 | Rank: 12th |
| The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, CIVILIAN COMPLAINT REVIEW BD, and Department of Finance….Most Reported……$19,000$127,000Salary Distribution | |
| Oregon – $66,768 | Rank: 10th |
| The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Oregon….Most Reported……$2,400$11,000Salary Distribution | |
| Rhode Island – $71,140 | Rank: 6th |
| The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Department of Administration….Most Reported……$33,000$124,000Salary Distribution | |
| South Dakota – $35,654 | Rank: 28th |
| The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like South Dakota State Government…..Most Reported…..$9.30$28.05Salary Distribution | |
| Tennessee – $52,136 | Rank: 19th |
| The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Vanderbilt University Medical Center….Most Reported……$19,000$101,000Salary Distribution | |
| Texas – $50,157 | Rank: 21st |
| The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MHP Salud, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Department of State Health Services, and Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas….Most Reported……$16,000$102,000Salary Distribution | |
| Virginia – $71,941 | Rank: 5th |
| The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Homeland Security, Dynamis, Dept of Housing and Comm Dev, and Commonwealth of Virginia…Most Reported…….$16,000$167,000Salary Distribution | |
| Vermont – $45,024 | Rank: 26th |
| The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Vermont…..Most Reported…..$11.75$35.35Salary Distribution | |
| Washington – $67,416 | Rank: 9th |
| The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Washington, Employment Security Department, and City of Seattle….Most Reported……$27,000$126,000Salary Distribution | |
| Wisconsin – $56,719 | Rank: 16th |
| The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Blueline Consulting, LLC, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Department of Children and Family Services, and University of WisconsinMadison….Most Reported……$25,000$100,000Salary Distribution | |
| Wyoming – $53,964 | Rank: 18th |
| The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Wyoming…..Most Reported…..$2,200$6,900Salary Distribution |
Top 20 National Employers
According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Policy Analyst. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.
| Employer Name | Location | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| United States Department Of Defense Policy Analyst | Virginia | $127,405 |
| U.S. Army Policy Analyst | Virginia | $122,839 |
| Department of Labor Policy Analyst | DC | $122,282 |
| Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Policy Analyst | DC | $120,459 |
| Department of Homeland Security Policy Analyst | DC | $115,858 |
| Department of Energy Policy Analyst | DC | $112,436 |
| Indian Health Service Policy Analyst | Maryland | $110,901 |
| U.S. Government Policy Analyst | Virginia | $109,158 |
| Department of Health and Human Services Policy Analyst | Maryland | $109,082 |
| Department of the Interior Policy Analyst | DC | $109,062 |
| Dept of Health Care Finance Policy Analyst | DC | $106,819 |
| U.S. Department of State Policy Analyst | DC | $104,131 |
| Department of Transportation Policy Analyst | DC | $103,864 |
| City of Seattle Policy Analyst | Washington | $103,846 |
| Executive Office of the President Policy Analyst | DC | $102,387 |
| Huxley Associates Policy Analyst | Massachusetts | $102,318 |
| Citi Policy Analyst | Delaware | $92,763 |
| CyberCoders Policy Analyst | Maryland | $89,669 |
Learn More
- Policy analysts: Shaping society through research and …
- Policy Analysis Positions – OPM.gov
- Planning and Policy Analysis – OPM.gov
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