Public policy jobs involve developing and analyzing policies for government and non-profit organizations. Some common public policy jobs include policy analyst, policy advisor, program evaluator, legislative aide, budget analyst, and more. With complex policy issues like healthcare reform, climate change, education, and immigration, there is an ongoing need for talented policy professionals to research these topics and recommend solutions. But is the job outlook for public policy careers strong? Are public policy jobs in high demand?
What are public policy jobs?
Public policy jobs involve working for the government, think tanks, advocacy groups, non-profits, and more to analyze policies and programs. Some common public policy job titles include:
- Policy analyst – Researches policy issues, collects data, and makes recommendations. Works for government agencies or policy research groups.
- Legislative aide – Assists elected officials by researching policy issues, drafting legislation, and meeting with stakeholders. Works in national, state, or local governments.
- Budget analyst – Prepares budget documents, tracks spending, and conducts cost-benefit analyses of programs. Works for government finance departments.
- Policy advisor – Advises elected officials on policy issues. Works in national, state, or local governments.
- Lobbyist – Advocates for organizations by influencing policymakers. Works for interest groups, non-profits, corporations, and other associations.
- Program evaluator – Analyzes effectiveness and outcomes of government programs and policies. Works for government agencies or policy research groups.
Public policy professionals work on important issues like healthcare, education, taxes, social welfare, transportation, housing, and more. Their job duties involve researching issues, collecting and analyzing data, making policy recommendations, drafting legislation and budgets, assessing program effectiveness, meeting with stakeholders, and developing strategic plans to influence policymaking. Public policy jobs require skills like research, critical thinking, writing, public speaking, data analysis, and political savvy.
Public policy job outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for public policy jobs is projected to grow faster than average over the next decade. This is driven by emerging policy issues and the need to replace retiring baby boomers.
Here is a look at BLS projections for some common public policy occupations from 2021 to 2031:
Occupation | Projected Growth Rate |
---|---|
Political scientists | +7% (faster than avg) |
Urban and regional planners | +10% (much faster than avg) |
Legislative assistants | +10% (much faster than avg) |
Paralegals and legal assistants | +10% (much faster than avg) |
This table shows above-average projected job growth for several public policy and government careers. Political scientists, who work as policy analysts and advisors, are projected to grow 7% over 10 years. Urban and regional planners, who develop public policies on topics like transportation and housing, have a 10% projected job growth. Legislative assistant jobs are expected to grow 10% as elected officials continue to need policy expertise. Paralegals, who assist lawyers with legal research and analysis for policy-related cases, also have a 10% job growth outlook.
Overall, the BLS projects solid job growth for many public policy professions, signaling healthy demand. Emerging policy issues around technology, climate change, equality, and demographics will continue to drive the need for policy analysis in the future.
Public policy hiring trends
In addition to projected job growth, current hiring trends indicate ongoing demand for public policy talent. For example, LinkedIn’s 2022 Emerging Jobs Report identified several policy-related roles as emerging jobs with disproportionate hiring growth:
Emerging Job | Hiring Growth Rate |
---|---|
Diversity, equity, and inclusion specialist | +90% |
Environmental sustainability specialist | +86% |
Regulatory analyst | +80% |
Policy analyst | +65% |
This data shows surging demand for policy skills in high-priority areas like diversity, sustainability, and regulatory analysis. Policy analyst roles had 65% hiring growth, demonstrating the need for core public policy skills.
Burning Glass Technologies, a labor market analytics firm, also finds increasing demand for policy expertise based on recent job posting data:
- Job postings for policy analysts grew 69% from 2015 to 2019.
- Government policy job postings grew 24% from 2017 to 2019.
- Non-profit policy job postings grew 22% from 2017 to 2019.
These trends point to robust hiring demand for public policy skills across government, non-profit, and private sector employers. The growth in policy job postings significantly outpaces overall job posting growth, indicating policy roles are a particularly high-need area.
Where are public policy jobs located?
Public policy jobs tend to be concentrated in political hubs where government agencies and policy research organizations are located. According to BLS data, the top five metro areas for political scientist jobs, which include many policy analyst roles, are:
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Other top locations for public policy jobs include state capitals like Sacramento, CA, Austin, TX, Richmond, VA, and Atlanta, GA, along with politically active cities like Chicago, IL and Seattle, WA. Opportunities can also be found in college towns which are home to policy research centers.
Virtual public policy jobs are also growing, allowing professionals to work remotely. But proximity to government decision-making can be beneficial for in-person meetings, collaboration, and networking.
Public policy education requirements
A master’s degree like a Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Public Administration (MPA), or public policy Master of Arts is required for most policy analyst and leadership roles. Higher level policy jobs may require a PhD.
However, there are some entry-level public policy jobs accessible with just a bachelor’s degree, like:
- Legislative intern
- Policy research assistant
- Junior legislative aide
- Government relations coordinator
- Grants coordinator
Relevant undergraduate majors for public policy jobs include political science, economics, public policy, public administration, social work, and urban planning. Coursework in statistics, research methods, public speaking, and writing is valuable. Internships in government also provide a strong foundation.
Certifications like the Certified Public Policy Professional (CP3) are available for mid-career professionals looking to advance. Some employers may cover the costs of a graduate degree.
Public policy job salaries
According to PayScale data, average salaries for common public policy jobs are:
Public Policy Job | Average Base Salary |
---|---|
Policy Analyst | $60,874 per year |
Legislative Assistant | $50,839 per year |
Regulatory Analyst | $77,382 per year |
Political Scientist | $105,778 per year |
Salaries vary based on location, experience level, education, and employer. Government and non-profit jobs tend to pay moderately, while policy advisors and consultants in high demand industries like technology can earn more. Leadership roles like policy directors can earn $140,000 or more.
There is earning potential to gain salary increases through public policy career advancement. Valuable experience and a graduate degree provide pathways to higher paying analyst, advisor, manager, and director roles.
Public policy job satisfaction
Public policy careers offer high job satisfaction for those passionate about serving the public good. In PayScale’s survey of career happiness, public policy jobs scored 7.3 out of 10 overall. Highlights include:
- 87% said their work makes the world a better place
- 80% reported high job meaning
- 76% felt their job responsibilities align with their personal values
The ability to create positive change through policy work is a key driver of job fulfillment. Public policy professionals also cite good work-life balance, stable income, and intellectual challenge as satisfaction factors.
However, some downsides reported include inconsistent funding, bureaucracy, and polarization. Stress can occur working on pressing issues. Workplace environment and quality leadership also impact satisfaction. But overall, public policy careers provide meaning along with solid compensation.
Public policy job outlook conclusion
In conclusion, public policy jobs are definitely in demand. The number of jobs for policy analysts, legislative aides, policy advisors, and other roles is projected to grow over the next decade. Hiring trends show particularly strong demand to support priorities like diversity, sustainability, and regulatory policy. Job postings continue increasing across government, think tanks, and non-profits.
While most public policy jobs are concentrated around political hubs like D.C. and state capitals, remote work opportunities are also increasing. These careers offer moderate pay with potential to earn more in leadership roles or with specialized expertise. Public policy professionals report high job satisfaction from fulfilling work improving society. With pressing policy issues ahead, this field will continue to provide career opportunities making a difference through public service.