Physical Scientists

How to become a Climate Change Policy Analyst

Official title: Climate Change Policy Analysts

Also called: Climate Advisor, Climate Analyst, Climate and Energy Program Associate, Climate Economist, Environmental Policy Analyst, Policy Analyst, Policy Associate, Policy Research Associate, Regional Science Advisor

Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.

Main 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.

How to become one

To enter the occupation, environmental scientists and specialists typically need a bachelor's degree in natural science or a related field.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Science degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US
College: Agriculture & Environment degrees, Offered by 26 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $82,220 a year The middle half earn $64,490 to $107,970.
About 93,400 people work in this job now, and about 99,200 are projected by 2035. (+6.1%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Climate Change Policy Analyst?

To enter the occupation, environmental scientists and specialists typically need a bachelor's degree in natural science or a related field.

How much does a Climate Change Policy Analyst earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $82,220 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $64,490 to $107,970.

Is a Climate Change Policy Analyst a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 93,400 to about 99,200 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Climate Change Policy Analyst?

Usually. 100% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Climate Change Policy Analyst?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.