Climate Change Policy Analysts

People in this career spend their time gathering and analyzing data to address climate issues. They use critical thinking, complex problem solving, and systems analysis to evaluate policies and develop strategic objectives. Strong communication skills are essential, as analysts regularly write reports, speak to audiences, and interpret complex information for supervisors, colleagues, and people outside their organizations.

This role fits individuals with strong investigative interests who enjoy using math, physics, geography, and biology to solve problems. Daily tasks require a solid understanding of law, government, administration, and media. Analysts must manage their time effectively, organize and prioritize their work, and continuously update their knowledge using computers and modern technology.

To enter this field, a bachelor's degree is typically required. Students often major in fields such as sustainability studies, natural resources conservation and research, geography and environmental studies, environmental geosciences, marine sciences, chemistry, public health, or pharmacology and toxicology.

While a bachelor's degree provides entry, most professionals in this career require extensive preparation, typically earning a graduate degree such as a master's, PhD, JD, or MD. Professionals can also seek relevant credentials, such as the Certified Data Science Practitioner certification from CertNexus.

The median annual pay for this career is $82,220, though earnings vary. The lowest 10 percent of workers earn less than $52,520, while the highest 10 percent earn more than $140,010. These wage figures represent the broader occupational group of environmental scientists and specialists, including health.

There are 89,250 people employed in this broader group. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 6.1 percent, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 7,300 job openings each year.