Policy Analyst Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$73,000
national median salary
$56,000 to $98,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $142,080 for Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094) across the United States, based on 5,540 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$83,350
25th percentile
$114,030
Median
$142,080
75th percentile
$174,180
90th percentile
$195,190
Workers surveyed
5,540
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$139,380
May 2025 release
$142,080
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
Why this differs from the estimate above. The Orbyt estimate of $73,000 is 49% lower than this published figure. That is usually not an error in either number: BLS reports by occupation code, and Political Scientists covers a different population than the Policy Analyst title as it is typically advertised. Both are shown, unreconciled, so you can judge which one describes the job you mean.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094) rather than Policy Analystspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 19-3094Highest Paying
$102,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$76,000
Boston, MA
Lowest Paying
$55,000
Jackson, MS
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 19-3094. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Policy Analyst salary in the United States at $73,000 in 2026, within a range of $56,000 to $98,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $102,000, while Boston offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Employer type creates the widest gaps, with federal agencies and well-funded think tanks paying 15 to 30% more than state government or small nonprofits.
Policy Analyst salary by city.
Skills that increase Policy Analyst pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Policy Analysts based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $10,220 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$10,220 per year
≈ +$9,490 per year
≈ +$8,760 per year
≈ +$8,030 per year
≈ +$8,030 per year
≈ +$7,300 per year
≈ +$7,300 per year
≈ +$6,570 per year
What you should know.
Employer type creates the widest gaps, with federal agencies and well-funded think tanks paying 15 to 30% more than state government or small nonprofits. Subject matter expertise in health, energy, or technology policy commands premiums. Quantitative skills including econometrics and statistical modeling add significant earning power beyond qualitative research ability.
Junior policy analysts start at $56,000 to $65,000. Senior analysts earn $73,000 to $98,000 after four to six years. Policy directors at major think tanks or agencies reach $105,000 to $145,000, with chief policy officers at large organizations exceeding $160,000.
Federal policy analysts receive GS-scale pay with locality adjustments, TSP matching, and federal benefits. Think tanks offer 5 to 10% bonuses and sabbatical programs. Nonprofits provide mission-driven work but typically lower compensation with modest benefits.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Policy Analysts typically earn $66,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Policy Analyst pay.
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