FindAJobAI
Get started
Job description · written by the FindAJobAI team

Policy Analyst Job Description (2026): Duties, Skills and Salary

A policy analyst researches how laws, regulations and programs work in practice, and writes that research up for people who decide what to do next: lawmakers, agency leaders or advocacy directors. The job mixes reading legislation, analyzing data, and writing briefs that are accurate but readable.

Policy analysts work in government agencies, think tanks, nonprofits and corporate public affairs teams, so the subject area shifts with the employer: health care, education, environment, tax or labor policy. Across all of them, the core skill is turning a complicated issue into a clear recommendation.

Policy Analyst job description template

Copy it, replace everything in [brackets] and cut what doesn't apply. Keep the requirements to what the job really needs.

Template · replace the [brackets]

Policy Analyst

[Company] · [City and office days, or remote with the countries or time zones you hire in] · [Full-time]

About [Company]

[Two or three sentences on what your company does, who it serves and why this team matters now.]

About the role

[Company] is hiring a policy analyst to research [policy area] and inform [agency / organization]'s positions and decisions. You'll track legislation, analyze its effects, and write briefs that stakeholders can act on.

What you'll do

  • Research and summarize proposed legislation, regulations and existing programs.
  • Analyze the likely effects of a policy on [the population / industry / budget].
  • Write briefs, memos and reports that explain findings in plain language.
  • Track bills and rulemaking relevant to [policy area] and flag developments.
  • Coordinate with legal, communications or government affairs on positions.
  • Support testimony, public comments or stakeholder meetings with research.
  • Build and maintain data sources used to monitor policy outcomes.

What you'll bring

  • [X]+ years in policy research, government affairs or a related analytical role.
  • Strong research skills: reading legislation, regulations and academic literature.
  • Clear written communication for both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Comfort with data analysis in Excel or a statistical tool.
  • Understanding of the legislative or regulatory process relevant to [policy area].
  • Ability to work independently on long research projects with shifting deadlines.

Nice to have

  • Advanced degree in public policy, economics, law or a related field.
  • Experience with statistical software such as R, Stata or SPSS.
  • Knowledge of [specific policy area, e.g. health care financing or environmental law].
  • Experience briefing legislators, executives or boards directly.

What we offer

  • [Pay range: e.g. $X–$Y base salary, plus bonus or equity if offered]
  • [Student loan assistance, public transit subsidy, professional development for conferences and certifications]
  • [Health cover, retirement or pension plan, paid time off, parental leave]
  • [Work authorization: whether you can sponsor a visa or hire through an employer of record]

[Our process: a recruiter call, a written analysis exercise on a sample policy question, a panel interview with the policy team, and a final conversation with leadership.]

[Your equal opportunity statement, and how candidates can ask for adjustments during the process]

Put the pay range in the ad. Several US states, including California, Colorado, New York and Washington, require it in job postings, and the EU Pay Transparency Directive gives applicants the right to know the starting pay or its range before the interview.

Policy Analyst duties by seniority

What the job usually looks like at each level. Pitch the ad at one level and say which in the title.

Junior

  • Researches narrow questions and drafts sections of larger reports.
  • Tracks bills or regulations and summarizes updates for the team.
  • Learns the policy area and the organization's existing positions.

Mid-level

  • Owns research and briefs on a defined policy area.
  • Represents the organization in stakeholder meetings or coalitions.
  • Shapes recommendations that feed into organizational positions.

Senior

  • Leads policy strategy across multiple issue areas.
  • Advises executives or elected officials directly on positions and risk.
  • Mentors analysts and represents the organization publicly or to press.

Policy Analyst career path

  1. Research Assistant
  2. Policy Analyst
  3. Senior Policy Analyst
  4. Policy Director or Director of Government Affairs

Policy analysts typically enter from degrees in political science, economics, public policy or law, or from legislative staff and research assistant roles. From there, paths lead to senior analyst roles, government affairs leadership, or elected and appointed government positions.

Similar roles

All job descriptions

Policy Analyst job description FAQ

What does a policy analyst do?

Researches legislation, regulations and programs, analyzes their likely effects, and writes briefs and memos that help decision-makers act. Policy analysts also track bills and support testimony or public comments.

What skills should a policy analyst job description require?

Strong research and writing skills, comfort reading legislation and data, and the ability to explain complex issues in plain language. Statistical software and an advanced degree are common nice-to-haves depending on seniority.

Is policy analyst an entry-level job?

It can be, especially with a research assistant or legislative internship background. Senior policy analysts advise executives or officials directly, so state the experience and policy area you expect clearly.