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Policy internship vs policy analyst

The differences between policy interns 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 policy internship and a policy analyst. Additionally, a policy analyst has an average salary of $66,359, which is higher than the $64,641 average annual salary of a policy internship.

The top three skills for a policy internship include policy research, public policy and policy issues. The most important skills for a policy analyst are public policy, policy analysis, and policy issues.

Policy internship vs policy analyst overview

Policy InternshipPolicy Analyst
Yearly salary$64,641$66,359
Hourly rate$31.08$31.90
Growth rate8%11%
Number of jobs47,62569,173
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4244
Years of experience44

What does a policy internship do?

A policy intern is responsible for supporting the government in researching and analyzing legislation policies, recommending revisions to match law guidelines and state regulations. Policy interns perform administrative tasks under the guidance of a direct supervisor, such as writing reports, drafting content for policy proposals, scheduling meetings, and facilitating public programs and activities. A policy intern must have excellent communication and organizational skills and should be able to work in a fast-paced environment and strict deadlines.

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.

Policy internship vs policy analyst salary

Policy interns and policy analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Policy InternshipPolicy Analyst
Average salary$64,641$66,359
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $117,000Between $47,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Insurance

Differences between policy internship and policy analyst education

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

Policy InternshipPolicy Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorPolitical SciencePolitical Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNorthwestern University

Policy internship vs policy analyst demographics

Here are the differences between policy interns' and policy analysts' demographics:

Policy InternshipPolicy Analyst
Average age4244
Gender ratioMale, 41.7% Female, 58.3%Male, 46.1% Female, 53.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%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 policy internship and policy analyst duties and responsibilities

Policy internship example responsibilities.

  • Manage all issues relate to high quality survey administration including training and approval/certification, performance oversight and data collection.
  • Create PowerPoint presentation and deliver HIV/AIDS message to high school students and other parallel groups.
  • Produce clear and concise briefing material for senior management including information notes and PowerPoint presentations.
  • Provide technical analyses concerning Medicaid wavier contracts, including policy, management, fiscal and client eligibility requirements.
  • Research policy areas including education, business regulation, and business climate in order to develop new inform initiatives.
  • Conduct analysis of international climate change implications and participate in the selection of tools for government agencies to monitor climate change.
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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.
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Policy internship vs policy analyst skills

Common policy internship skills
  • Policy Research, 7%
  • Public Policy, 6%
  • Policy Issues, 6%
  • Climate, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • Data Collection, 4%
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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