What Does a Policy Analyst Do?

Before laws and other public policies are implemented, they are well-researched by experts who take every potential logistical and ethical problem into account. They are written, re-written, and tested until the experts have considered all conceivable worst-case scenarios.

However, government officials and business leaders don’t pore over policies alone. Instead, they rely on policy analysts to provide nuanced perspectives and evidence-based suggestions. Whether someone wants to become an analyst in healthcare, public safety, or any other sector, they typically go through advanced education programs and gain first-hand experience in their chosen field.

What Is a Policy Analyst? Specialties and What They Do

A policy analyst is a researcher who evaluates current public policies and new ones. Typically, they specialize in a specific field such as healthcare, economics, criminal justice, or foreign policy. Other policy analysts focus on policies pertaining to a specific geographic region such as a city, state, or country.

Whatever their specialty, most policy professionals share similar duties, including the following:

• Identifying issues that affect the population they serve

• Collecting data through surveys and research

• Researching how policies might affect or be perceived by different groups

• Identifying logistical, budgetary, and ethical problems with current or proposed policies

• Making recommendations to legislators and policymakers based on their findings

• Garnering support for new policies

• Coordinating efforts between different organizations involved in policy making

• Keeping the public and other stakeholders informed about new policies and emerging issues

Entry-level policy analysts are often responsible for just a few of these duties. For example, they might conduct research or prepare reports for legislators. Senior analysts typically take on leadership responsibilities, including overseeing a team, meeting with policymakers, and guiding the overall process of creating new policies.

Where Do Policy Analysts Work?

While many policy analysts work for local, state, and federal government agencies, they can also work in the nonprofit and private sectors. Generally, organizations involved in public or social affairs either employ analysts or work with them on some level.

Organizations that employ policy analysts include:

• Urban planning and housing agencies

• Healthcare providers

• Social service agencies

• Civil rights and social justice advocacy organizations

• Courts and legal consulting services

• Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and Department of Homeland Security

• Foreign affairs agencies, such as the U.S. Department of State

• Political think tanks and lobbying firms

• Energy companies, tech firms, and other corporations involved in building and maintaining infrastructure

Whether analysts work for private or government entities, they often collaborate with organizations in all sectors to enact effective policies.

Policy Analyst Salary

Policy analysts made a median salary of about $64,460 as of July 2024, according to Payscale, with entry-level analysts making about $56,220 and the most experienced professionals making up to $95,050.

Analyst salaries can vary widely depending on their specialty and whether they work in the public or private sector. Similarly, analysts who move into high-level director and manager positions may receive higher compensation.

How to Become a Policy Analyst

Policy analysts are typically familiar with research methods, the laws that regulate their sector, and social issues that affect policy making. To advocate for the policies they’d like to see enacted, they must also be excellent communicators and collaborators. While there are many ways to learn these skills, becoming an analyst often requires earning a degree and gaining experience.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Entry- and mid-level policy analysis positions typically require a bachelor’s degree. Because policy analysts can work in any number of fields, future analysts can prepare for their careers by earning a wide range of degrees.

For example, many students pursue degrees in general topics related to their career goals, such as economics or political science. This path can introduce students to the basics of their fields and allow them to pivot into analyst roles later in their careers.

Others pursue more specialized degrees focused on administration and policy making. For instance, students who want to work on the local or state level often pursue degrees in public administration. Those who want to go into foreign affairs, public safety, or homeland security may want to earn degrees in security studies .

Step 2: Look for Entry- and Mid-level Analyst Positions or Related Roles

After earning a degree, new professionals can start looking for analyst positions. Early in their careers, analysts often take on administrative support roles. This can include conducting research, managing data, and other duties that help new employees learn about their roles.

Some professionals don’t become analysts right away and instead work in other positions in their chosen sector for a few years. This can be a great way to learn about an industry’s unique challenges. Either way, after gaining some experience, early-career professionals can then pivot into analyst roles.

Step 3: Pursue Advanced Degrees, Gain Experience, and Look for Advancement Opportunities

Later in their careers, analysts can move into director and high-level analyst positions. In these roles, experienced analysts often create new policy initiatives, work closely with other teams and organizations, and oversee efforts to improve current policies.

While some of these roles may require a master’s degree, some employers value experience just as much, or more, than an advanced degree. However, a combination of experience and advanced education can make an analyst more competitive for high-level jobs.

Learn How to Enact and Analyze Policies

Professionals in this field help private and government organizations implement policies that can help protect and improve lies. The Online Bachelor of Science Multidisciplinary Studies: Security Studies degree completion program at East Carolina University® offers students the foundation to establish a career in this crucial area.

With coursework covering topics such as network security, foreign policy, and disaster management, the program allows students to dive into the many subspecialties that make up policy analysis. Though many classes focus on developing hard technical skills, the curriculum also includes classes on the social and political issues that often influence foreign and domestic policy.

As a 100% online degree completion program, ECU’s MDST: Security Studies program allows working and nontraditional students to complete their degrees on their own time. To find out how ECU can help you start a career as a policy analyst, read more about the application process and reach out to our admissions staff today.

Sources:

CIA Careers, Political Analyst

Indeed, “How To Become Policy Analyst in 5 Steps (Plus Job Duties)”

Payscale, Average Policy Analyst Salary

U.S. Department of State, About Us—Policy Planning Staff

U.S. Office of Personnel Management, “Policy Analysis Positions”