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Policy advisor vs contracts specialist

The differences between policy advisors and contracts specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a policy advisor has an average salary of $98,220, which is higher than the $63,727 average annual salary of a contracts specialist.

The top three skills for a policy advisor include public policy, policy issues and policy development. The most important skills for a contracts specialist are veterans, DOD, and contract administration.

Policy advisor vs contracts specialist overview

Policy AdvisorContracts Specialist
Yearly salary$98,220$63,727
Hourly rate$47.22$30.64
Growth rate11%-6%
Number of jobs39,65927,244
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does a policy advisor do?

Policy advisors are professionals who are involved in activities related to policymaking while communicating with policy analysts about various issues. These advisors must assist policy analysts in creating policies and look at ways to implement them after they have been approved by upper management or government officials. They must analyze international and foreign policy issues so that they can devise effective advocacy and program strategies. Policy advisors must also attend congressional hearings to propose regulations and changes to existing regulations.

What does a contracts specialist do?

A contract specialist is responsible for evaluating contract agreements between the business and its clients. Contract specialists write beneficial deals that would develop good, professional working partnerships. They negotiate terms with clients, analyzing bid offers, review legislation processes and regulations, provide immediate resolution for breach of contracts, manage procurement proposals, and communicate with potential and existing clients for any amendments and clarifications. A contract specialist must have excellent communication and negotiation skills and broad knowledge of legal terminologies and contract styles.

Policy advisor vs contracts specialist salary

Policy advisors and contracts specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Policy AdvisorContracts Specialist
Average salary$98,220$63,727
Salary rangeBetween $67,000 And $141,000Between $40,000 And $99,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateMassachusettsDelaware
Best paying companyNAICGoogle
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between policy advisor and contracts specialist education

There are a few differences between a policy advisor and a contracts specialist in terms of educational background:

Policy AdvisorContracts Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorPolitical ScienceBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaWestern Carolina University

Policy advisor vs contracts specialist demographics

Here are the differences between policy advisors' and contracts specialists' demographics:

Policy AdvisorContracts Specialist
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 59.7% Female, 40.3%Male, 40.2% Female, 59.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 70.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 70.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between policy advisor and contracts specialist duties and responsibilities

Policy advisor example responsibilities.

  • Manage all issues relate to high quality survey administration including training and approval/certification, performance oversight and data collection.
  • Work over the phone troubleshooting wireless devices, mobile and computers including windows and macs.
  • Facilitate and participate in departmental policy meetings concerning healthcare, Medicaid, social services, telemedicine, grant opportunities and budgeting.
  • Construct business system infrastructure providing the pathway to grow executive, mid-management, and customer facing staff for management consulting firm.
  • Serve as a principle author and key personnel on the successful $25 million DHS contract proposal.
  • Provide technical advice on Medicare including, payment and reimbursement models, and statutory requirements.

Contracts specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage multiple task orders in an IDIQ environment.
  • Provide clarity on medical and drug cover benefits for a Medicare advantage insurance plan.
  • Manage inventory and distribution activities of the third-party logistics provider.
  • Develop marketing strategies to expand Medicaid manage care provider network and enrollment.
  • Manage the influenza vaccine annual contracting and RFP process for a national specialty pharmaceutical distributor.
  • Process purchase orders and subcontracts, including managing insurance requirement compliance and certify payroll documentation.
  • Show more

Policy advisor vs contracts specialist skills

Common policy advisor skills
  • Public Policy, 10%
  • Policy Issues, 8%
  • Policy Development, 8%
  • Policy Recommendations, 5%
  • Policy Analysis, 4%
  • Government Officials, 4%
Common contracts specialist skills
  • Veterans, 7%
  • DOD, 7%
  • Contract Administration, 6%
  • Contract Terms, 5%
  • Contract Management, 5%
  • Market Research, 5%

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