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Policy advisor vs project specialist

The differences between policy advisors and project 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 $65,993 average annual salary of a project specialist.

The top three skills for a policy advisor include public policy, policy issues and policy development. The most important skills for a project specialist are customer service, project management, and project proposals.

Policy advisor vs project specialist overview

Policy AdvisorProject Specialist
Yearly salary$98,220$65,993
Hourly rate$47.22$31.73
Growth rate11%10%
Number of jobs39,65999,583
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
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 project specialist do?

A project specialist's role is to ensure that a project or program's completion is within the allotted time and budget. They are primarily responsible for devising plans and strategies to quicken the pace of production or processes involved, creating a comprehensive schedule, monitoring the progress and producing reports, tracking the budget and expenditures, and coordinating with all department personnel. Moreover, a project specialist may also schedule and attend meetings, all while adhering to the company's policies and standards.

Policy advisor vs project specialist salary

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

Policy AdvisorProject Specialist
Average salary$98,220$65,993
Salary rangeBetween $67,000 And $141,000Between $41,000 And $103,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsCalifornia
Best paying companyNAICMeta
Best paying industryGovernmentProfessional

Differences between policy advisor and project specialist education

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

Policy AdvisorProject Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorPolitical ScienceBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaWestern Carolina University

Policy advisor vs project specialist demographics

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

Policy AdvisorProject Specialist
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 59.7% Female, 40.3%Male, 46.7% Female, 53.3%
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 project 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.

Project specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage all phases of SDLC.
  • Manage SDLC so that all controls are followed.
  • Manage tracking and resolution of defects and reporting of UAT execution results.
  • Purchase and manage inventory for aircraft LCD displays across all Rockwell sites.
  • Manage relational database through SQL programming, as well as ERP and MRP.
  • Design screen layouts and fields in the ERP system to accomplish above goals as well as enhance end user experience.
    • Show more

Policy advisor vs project 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 project specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Project Management, 17%
  • Project Proposals, 10%
  • Telemarketing, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • Patients, 2%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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