Also called: RAND researcher, Defense policy analyst, Military analyst
Researches military strategy, budgets, and technology and advises the government on defense decisions.
Analysts at places like RAND, CNA, or CSIS read reports, build models, run war games, and write studies that end up on Pentagon desks. Some testify to Congress. It's a career for people who love history, data, and writing.
Estimate; senior researchers at major think tanks can exceed $200k.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Master's or PhD in policy, economics, or a technical field.
Ways in: Graduate school, 4-year college. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Political Science, Economics, International Relations, Operations Research.
Growing about average. No direct BLS category; hiring follows defense budgets and grant funding.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI drafts literature reviews and budget analyses; original insight and advising officials stay human.
Classes: AP Government, AP World History, Economics, English composition.
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.