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Health data analyst vs policy analyst

The differences between health data analysts and policy analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a health data analyst and a policy analyst. Additionally, a health data analyst has an average salary of $67,478, which is higher than the $66,359 average annual salary of a policy analyst.

The top three skills for a health data analyst include tableau, public health and data collection. The most important skills for a policy analyst are public policy, policy analysis, and policy issues.

Health data analyst vs policy analyst overview

Health Data AnalystPolicy Analyst
Yearly salary$67,478$66,359
Hourly rate$32.44$31.90
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs148,09469,173
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a health data analyst do?

A health data analyst is responsible for delivering high-quality medical services by managing healthcare data and conducting data analysis to provide recommendations on how to improve health operations. Health data analysts should have excellent knowledge of data processing procedures, especially on creating analytical reports to identify opportunities that would increase reliability and efficiency. They also perform related administrative duties, such as storing patients' information, ensuring the adequacy of supplies, and pulling up information from the system as the management requires.

What does a policy analyst do?

Policy analysts are responsible for developing government policies and providing advice and briefing to senior management. These professionals work to influence both social and political decisions. They typically work in four key areas, including collecting information, analyzing policies, providing recommendations, and sharing information with government officials and the public. Additionally, they are also expected to consult with stakeholders to provide quantitative evidence supporting their policy. The rest of their time is spent on writing, reading, and analyzing information.

Health data analyst vs policy analyst salary

Health data analysts and policy analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Health Data AnalystPolicy Analyst
Average salary$67,478$66,359
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $90,000Between $47,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonConnecticut
Best paying companyMetaApple
Best paying industryProfessionalInsurance

Differences between health data analyst and policy analyst education

There are a few differences between a health data analyst and a policy analyst in terms of educational background:

Health Data AnalystPolicy Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessPolitical Science
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Health data analyst vs policy analyst demographics

Here are the differences between health data analysts' and policy analysts' demographics:

Health Data AnalystPolicy Analyst
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 38.7% Female, 61.3%Male, 46.1% Female, 53.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.6% Asian, 14.7% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 12.1% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between health data analyst and policy analyst duties and responsibilities

Health data analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage the success for the adoption of the EMR into the health center.
  • Manage weapon system project websites via SharePoint, including troubleshooting technical issues and developing guidelines for public/private information and user permissions.
  • Work on Monahrq and CMS Medicare quality contract.
  • Oversee paper and multiple EMR systems data extractions.
  • Follow up on all third party claims and report results to CMS.
  • Create statistical reports on key performance measures, and create PowerPoint presentations.
  • Show more

Policy analyst example responsibilities.

  • Develop comprehensive consumer education material around the changes to behavioral health services in Medicaid manage care.
  • Manage all issues relate to high quality survey administration including training and approval/certification, performance oversight and data collection.
  • Process data using STATA statistical software to get it ready for regressions.
  • Develop research and programmatic reports create in SAS to be used for analysis.
  • Work to maintain, update, and correct SalesForce database for pertinent mailings.
  • Develop PowerPoint presentations on trends for use with legislature, law enforcement, and the public.
  • Show more

Health data analyst vs policy analyst skills

Common health data analyst skills
  • Tableau, 9%
  • Public Health, 6%
  • Data Collection, 6%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Data Management, 5%
  • Visualization, 5%
Common policy analyst skills
  • Public Policy, 7%
  • Policy Analysis, 6%
  • Policy Issues, 6%
  • Public Health, 5%
  • Health Policy, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 4%

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