Side-by-side distribution
Policy Analyst
$101,450
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 59.8%
- Live roles
- 87
Public Affairs
$157,995
median · per year, annualized USD
- Disclosing
- 40%
- Live roles
- 80
Highest-paying jobs
Policy Advisor
Safeguards Policy Analyst, Cyber Harms
Policy & Alliances Relationship Director (Military Spouse & Family Policy Advisor)
Principal Business Economist/Regional Policy Advisor
Senior RF Spectrum Policy Analyst/Engineer
Senior Technology and Policy Advisor
Senior Network Modernization & Policy Analyst
Tactical Communications Policy and Strategy Analyst
Cyber Workforce Policy Advisor
Strategic Plans and Policy Advisor
Highest-paying jobs
Senior Lead Government Affairs Manager - Federal
Senior Manager, Diagnostics Public Affairs (Public Relations)
Senior Strategy Manager, Government Affairs | Housing
Senior Manager, Government & Regulatory Affairs
Manager of Public Affairs and Media Operations
Senior Manager Government Affairs
Manager, Public Affairs
Media & Public Affairs Manager
Senior Manager, Global Oncology Communications, Bladder Cancer and GU Public Affairs
Senior Manager, Established Products and Cross-TA Communications & Public Affairs
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
|
Booz Allen Hamilton
|
$101,450 | 7 |
State of Oregon
|
$7,670 | 6 |
|
The Aerospace Corporation
|
$189,100 | 3 |
|
CACI
|
$133,000 | 3 |
Amentum
|
$130,000 | 2 |
| GR GRVTY | $121,250 | 2 |
Centene
|
$88,375 | 2 |
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
|
$87,568 | 2 |
Top companies hiring
| Company | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
|
Abbott
|
$182,500 | 2 |
|
Johnson & Johnson
|
$167,375 | 2 |
Samsara
|
$137,267 | 2 |
|
EliseAI
|
$225,000 | 1 |
| DE Dexcom | $208,500 | 1 |
|
GEICO
|
$203,463 | 1 |
|
Northrop Grumman
|
$199,400 | 1 |
|
Radiant Industries
|
$198,375 | 1 |
Policy Analyst salary by location
| Location | Median | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | $56,750 | 3 |
Policy Analyst vs Public Affairs: which pays more?
The median for Policy Analyst is $101,450 per year (typically $80,750–$134,000), versus $157,995 for Public Affairs ($124,475–$174,425). That puts Public Affairs about 56% ahead at the median.
Both figures are computed live from active listings on JobsRadar and normalized to annualized USD, so Policy Analyst and Public Affairs are compared on equal terms regardless of the currency each role was originally posted in. Only roles that publish a salary range feed the medians; numbers refresh every few hours as new roles post and older ones close, so this comparison reflects the market right now rather than a fixed survey. Use it as a directional benchmark when weighing one path against the other.