Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Policy Director in the United States is $209,259 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $101.
However, a Policy Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
Recruit with AI
Policy Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $232,993 | $19,416 | $4,481 | $112 |
| Average | $209,259 | $17,438 | $4,024 | $101 |
| 25th Percentile | $186,254 | $15,521 | $3,582 | $90 |
Confidential - Columbus, OH
Confidential - Columbus, OH
Legacy Healthcare Services, Inc. - Columbus, OH
Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital - Columbus, OH
A Policy Director'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Policy Director'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 |
|---|---|
| Governmen... Level Policy Director | $146,276 |
| Governmen... Level Policy Director | $189,901 |
| Policy Di... Level Policy Director | $207,513 |
| Governmen... Level Policy Director | $257,964 |
| SVP of Go... Level Policy Director | $317,944 |
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 Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Policy Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Policy Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Policy Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $272,037 | $131.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $261,574 | $126.0 | 25% |
| Healthcare | $251,111 | $121.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $240,648 | $116.0 | 15% |
| Biotechnology | $230,185 | $111.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Policy Director'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $232,993 | $19,416 | $4,481 | $112 |
| Average | $209,259 | $17,438 | $4,024 | $101 |
| 25th Percentile | $186,254 | $15,521 | $3,582 | $90 |
Salaries for a Policy Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $166,857 in 2023 to around $155,709 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Policy Director salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $166,857 |
| 2024 | $161,477 |
| 2025 | $155,709 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Policy Director and their salaries, click below for more details.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Policy Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Titan Medical Group, LLC
Columbus, OH
Titan Medical Group, LLC | Columbus, OH
Travel Or Position. Titan Medical is looking for travelers to fill a travel OR position for a 13-week assignment in Columbus, OH more
17 Days Ago
Aya Healthcare
Columbus, OH
Aya Healthcare | Columbus, OH
Registered Nurse. Pay: $2,017.00 to $2,238.04 weekly. Assignment Length: 13 Weeks. Schedule: 3x12-Hour 19:00 - 07:30. Openings: 1. Start Date: 09/08/2026. ... more
17 Days Ago
Confidential
Columbus, OH
Confidential | Columbus, OH
Associate Vice President, Internal Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare industry. Indu... more
20 Days Ago
C.R. England
Columbus, OH
Confidential
Columbus, OH
Confidential | Columbus, OH
Vice President, Payments Engineering. About the Company. Globally-recognized provider of corporate payment solutions. Industry. Financial Services. Type. P... more
27 Days Ago
Confidential
Columbus, OH
Confidential | Columbus, OH
Senior Vice President of Project Delivery. About the Company. A multi-billion-dollar construction organization with collaborative, servant-minded leadershi... more
27 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Policy Director roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
