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The differences between senior policy analysts and consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a senior policy analyst and a consultant. Additionally, a consultant has an average salary of $78,912, which is higher than the $68,774 average annual salary of a senior policy analyst.
The top three skills for a senior policy analyst include public policy, policy issues and project management. The most important skills for a consultant are customer service, strong analytical, and project management.
| Senior Policy Analyst | Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $68,774 | $78,912 |
| Hourly rate | $33.06 | $37.94 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 64,894 | 171,733 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Senior policy analysts are legal professionals who are responsible for developing government policies as well as providing advice and briefings to ministers and senior management. These analysts are required to provide detailed information about the law and public policy for both government and the private sector. They must collaborate with the business development division to research and present policies and trends related to health care. Senior policy analysts must also conduct technical assistance and training to advocacy groups and service providers.
Consultants are individuals who were tapped by a company or an organization to work on a specific activity, depending on their field of expertise. They act as guides for the organization in undertaking projects that are related to their field. Consultants would usually assist organizations in planning, often giving advice when the need arises. They would, at times, take the lead in activities that involve data gathering and interpretation of data gathering results so that they can provide solid recommendations on actions that the organization may undertake. They may also guide the organization in implementing any changes brought about by their consultancy and in evaluating the effectiveness of the changes.
Senior policy analysts and consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Policy Analyst | Consultant | |
| Average salary | $68,774 | $78,912 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $95,000 | Between $58,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | L.E.K. Consulting | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior policy analyst and a consultant in terms of educational background:
| Senior Policy Analyst | Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Political Science | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between senior policy analysts' and consultants' demographics:
| Senior Policy Analyst | Consultant | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.9% Female, 46.1% | Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 10.4% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 13.8% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |