Social issues are of critical importance not just on a community level but on a global level. Social policy analysts ensure that the policies intended to counter hunger, poverty, disease and many other terrible things, are running efficiently and as intended. They study these social problems by collecting data, and then propose plans to fix them.
Essential Information
Social policy analysts specialize in researching social issues and finding solutions to problems, such as hunger, crime, discrimination, poverty, disease, violence, and unemployment. Some social policy analysts work for government agencies, while others work for consulting firms or think tanks. Economists, urban planners, political scientists, lawyers, and sociologists often work as social policy analysts. All off these positions require the minimum of a bachelor's degree; some positions may require an advanced degree.
| Required Education | Bachelor's degree in a field such as economics, law, or sociology; advanced degree required in some cases |
| Job Outlook (2019-2029)* | 6% growth for political scientists 4% growth for sociologists 14% for economists 11% for urban and regional planners 4% for lawyers |
| Annual Rates (for all government workers 2019)** | G-7 pay grade: $36,356 to $47,264 G-15 pay grade $106,595 to $138,572 |
| Median Salary (for non government workers 2020)* | $125,350 for political scientists $86,110 for sociologists $108,350 for economists $75,950 for urban and regional planners $126,930 for lawyers |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Job Description
The primary function of a social policy analyst is to study social problems and develop policies to solve them. These professionals are involved in one or more of four general stages of policy analysis. First, social policy analysts gather data, using either existing information or generating new data through research. Next, social policy analysts uncover problem origins or study how well current policies are working and recommend changes. After identifying solutions, social policy analysts examine the results of a new policy, determining whether or not the solution worked and at what cost. Finally, analysts communicate their findings and promote their solutions through newsletters, speeches, reports, or books.
Salary
The earnings for social policy analysts who work for the federal government depend upon the pay grade the analyst has attained. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in 2007 that analysts who have less experience and hold master's degrees are typically paid at the G-7 pay grade. According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the annual salary range for this grade was from $36,356 to $47,264 as of 2019 (www.opm.gov). Experienced government social policy analysts with expertise in a special field were paid within the G-15 grade level. In 2019, this ranged from $106,595 to $138,572 annually, based on data from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
In the private sector, salaries depend on a social policy analyst's research specialty. Analysts specializing in economics, for example, could earn similar pay to that of an economist. The BLS reported that the median annual salary for economists was $108,350 in May 2020 (www.bls.gov). In the same year, professionals specializing in urban and regional planning earned a median salary of $75,950 annually. Political scientists, lawyers, and sociologists earned median incomes of $125,350, $126,930, and $86,110, respectively, for the same time period.
Outlook
The BLS estimates of expected employment for professionals involved in social policy analysis suggest that, between 2019 and 2029, employment of these professionals increase between average and above average. The highest expected growth for the stated decade is 14% for economists, and the lowest is a 4% growth for lawyers and sociologist. Social policy analysts need to understand the logistics behind social policy and the ramifications of enacting these policies on the population. There are a number of potential career paths associated with this field, including those in law, economics, sociology, political science and urban and regional planning.
