As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Policy Specialist in the United States is $61,602 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.
However, a Policy Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Policy Specialist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Policy Specialist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Policy Specialist | $60,926 |
| Intermediate Level Policy Specialist | $61,119 |
| Senior Level Policy Specialist | $63,800 |
| Specialist Level Policy Specialist | $67,998 |
| Expert Level Policy Specialist | $68,298 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Policy Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 5.79% |
| Market Intelligence | 4.06% |
| Economics | 1.35% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Legal Research
|
$67,146 |
9%
|
|
Stakeholder Engagement
|
$67,146 |
9%
|
|
Strategic Planning
|
$66,530 |
8%
|
|
Innovation
|
$66,530 |
8%
|
|
Sustainability
|
$66,530 |
8%
|
|
Decision Support
|
$64,682 |
5%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Policy Specialists enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Policy Specialist with a Associate's Degree is between $59,074 and $62,470).
Policy Specialist Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 2.7% |
| High School | 40.5% |
| Associates | 12.2% |
| Bachelors | 36.5% |
| Masters | 6.8% |
| Doctorate | 1.4% |
Understanding how a Policy Specialist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026Salaries for a Policy Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $58,009 in 2023 to around $56,753 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Policy Specialist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $58,009 |
| 2024 | $57,088 |
| 2025 | $56,753 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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