Climate Change Policy Analysts Career, Salary and Skills
Climate Change Policy Analysts have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $82,220 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 89,250. Wage data is published for 313 locations.
Occupation description
Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.
O*NET code
19-2041.01
Job zone
5
Typical education
Master's Degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$82,220
Hourly median
$39.53
Employment
89,250
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Active Listening | 4.00 | 3.88 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Writing | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Speaking | 3.88 | 4.25 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.75 | 4.12 |
| Active Learning | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.62 | 3.62 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.50 | 3.88 |
| Time Management | 3.38 | 3.38 |
Typical tasks
- Provide analytical support for policy briefs related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, or climate change.
- Propose new or modified policies involving use of traditional and alternative fuels, transportation of goods, and other factors relating to climate and climate change.
- Prepare study reports, memoranda, briefs, testimonies, or other written materials to inform government or environmental groups on environmental issues, such as climate change.
- Analyze and distill climate-related research findings to inform legislators, regulatory agencies, or other stakeholders.
- Make legislative recommendations related to climate change or environmental management, based on climate change policies, principles, programs, practices, and processes.
- Present climate-related information at public interest, governmental, or other meetings.
- Gather and review climate-related studies from government agencies, research laboratories, and other organizations.
- Review existing policies or legislation to identify environmental impacts.
Technology
- C++
- Community Climate System Model CCSM
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Ferret
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- Geographic information system GIS systems
- Grid analysis and display system GrADS
- Interface definition language IDL
- Linux
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- NCAR Command Language NCL
Climate Change Policy Analysts salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Climate Change Policy Analysts Salary in CAMedian $106,510 · Employment 12,490
- Climate Change Policy Analysts Salary in FLMedian $60,830 · Employment 5,950
- Climate Change Policy Analysts Salary in TXMedian $92,000 · Employment 5,630
- Climate Change Policy Analysts Salary in WAMedian $98,300 · Employment 4,470
- Climate Change Policy Analysts Salary in NCMedian $74,130 · Employment 4,150
- Climate Change Policy Analysts Salary in NYMedian $82,160 · Employment 3,700
- Climate Change Policy Analysts Salary in Sacramento, CAMedian $108,430 · Employment 3,520
- Climate Change Policy Analysts Salary in New York, NYMedian $85,510 · Employment 3,350
- Climate Change Policy Analysts Salary in NJMedian $79,210 · Employment 3,150
- Climate Change Policy Analysts Salary in MIMedian $76,080 · Employment 3,100
- Climate Change Policy Analysts Salary in PAMedian $76,110 · Employment 3,020
- Climate Change Policy Analysts Salary in MAMedian $100,640 · Employment 2,930
Related careers
- Water Resource SpecialistsNational median $167,220
- Political ScientistsNational median $142,080
- Financial Risk SpecialistsNational median $117,330
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and GeographersNational median $101,920
- EconomistsNational median $124,720
- Atmospheric and Space ScientistsNational median $99,070
- Hydrologic TechniciansNational median $64,790
- Environmental Compliance InspectorsNational median $80,730
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.