Also called: Public Policy Analyst, Research Analyst
Researches a public problem and recommends what government should do about it.
A policy analyst might spend a week studying how other states reduced traffic deaths, then write a 10-page memo with options and costs. They read research, interview experts, and present to officials. Think tanks, agencies, and nonprofits all hire them.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Bachelor's to start; a Master of Public Policy (MPP) or MPA is common.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Statistics.
Growing about average. Approximate.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI writes literature reviews and first-draft memos well; fewer junior analysts needed, while senior judgment and stakeholder work stay.
Classes: AP Government, AP Statistics, AP English Language.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-3099.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.