What Do Health Policy Analysts Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for health policy analysts?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what health policy analysts do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Health Policy Analysts Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about health policy analysts by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Health Policy Analysts study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.
Popular Job Titles For Health Policy Analysts
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Policy Analysts
- Deputy Directors
- Policy Advisors
- Project Policy Analysts
- Legislative Analysts
- Health Policy Analysts
- Cybersecurity Policy Analysts
- Budget/Policy Analysts
- Legislative Policy Analysts
- Legislative Liaisons
- Data and Policy Analysts
- Medical Policy Analysts
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for health policy analysts can be found.
Best Industries for Health Policy Analysts
Health Policy Analysts Jobs By Industry
- Federal Government, Civilian: 65.5%
- Scientific Research and Development Services: 11.9%
- Social Advocacy Organizations: 5.4%
- Federal Government, Military: 3.1%
- State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals: 2.5%
- Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals: 2.3%
- Other: 9.3%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of health policy analysts can be found working in the Federal Government, Civilian sector. In 2022, about 65.5% of all jobs for health policy analysts were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Scientific Research and Development Services (11.9%), Social Advocacy Organizations (5.4%), Federal Government, Military (3.1%), State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals (2.5%) and Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals (2.3%).
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Degree Options for Health Policy Analysts
Learn the real-world management skills needed to be a leader in government and nonprofit organizations.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Identify opportunities to improve the quality of life for people with a customizable major intended to help you achieve your career goals.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Earn your master's degree online and earn real-world skills to advance your career within public service.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn a 14-month online Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree with a Specialization in Healthcare and gain interdisciplinary communication and decision-making skills alongside specialized knowledge on healthcare policies, operations and analytics.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree with a Specialization in Human Resources and build the leadership skills to advance a government or public service agency alongside an emphasis on strategic HR best practices.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Do Health Policy Analysts Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what health policy analysts do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work health policy analysts do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that health policy analysts tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for health policy analysts, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Health Policy Analysts
Based on 9,872 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Health Policy Analysts
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Analysis | 4,199 | 43% |
| Public Policies | 2,556 | 26% |
| Project Management | 2,121 | 21% |
| Policy Development | 1,672 | 17% |
| Public Administration | 1,313 | 13% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Health Policy Analysts
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 5,611 | 57% |
| Research | 5,281 | 53% |
| Writing | 4,426 | 45% |
| Management | 4,332 | 44% |
| Leadership | 3,351 | 34% |
Based on 9,872 job postings related to health policy analysts, policy analysis was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 43% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for public policies, project management, policy development, public administration and economics were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communications was the most desired skill found in job postings for health policy analysts, followed by research, writing, management, leadership and planning.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Analysis | 4,199 | 43% |
| Public Policies | 2,556 | 26% |
| Project Management | 2,121 | 21% |
| Policy Development | 1,672 | 17% |
| Public Administration | 1,313 | 13% |
| Economics | 1,312 | 13% |
| Data Analysis | 1,263 | 13% |
| Finance | 1,174 | 12% |
| Political Sciences | 1,110 | 11% |
| Policy Research | 958 | 10% |
| Lobbying | 911 | 9% |
| Legislation | 872 | 9% |
| Legal Hearings | 833 | 8% |
| Accounting | 709 | 7% |
| Legislative Procedures | 709 | 7% |
| Public Health | 680 | 7% |
| Auditing | 679 | 7% |
| Medicaid | 677 | 7% |
| Data Collection | 513 | 5% |
| Health Policies | 496 | 5% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 5,611 | 57% |
| Research | 5,281 | 53% |
| Writing | 4,426 | 45% |
| Management | 4,332 | 44% |
| Leadership | 3,351 | 34% |
| Planning | 2,949 | 30% |
| Operations | 2,860 | 29% |
| Coordinating | 2,813 | 28% |
| Presentations | 2,500 | 25% |
| Advocacy | 2,040 | 21% |
| Detail Oriented | 1,905 | 19% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 1,602 | 16% |
| Problem Solving | 1,585 | 16% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 1,584 | 16% |
| Microsoft Excel | 1,567 | 16% |
| Microsoft Office | 1,377 | 14% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 1,292 | 13% |
| Strategic Planning | 1,270 | 13% |
| Organizational Skills | 1,110 | 11% |
| Decision Making | 1,055 | 11% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Health Policy Analysts
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Analysts | 4,205 | 32.4% |
| Deputy Directors | 2,280 | 17.6% |
| Policy Advisors | 1,020 | 7.9% |
| Project Policy Analysts | 725 | 5.6% |
| Legislative Analysts | 486 | 3.7% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2021 and August 2022, the top job sought by employers was policy analysts, with 1,868 unique job postings. Deputy directors were second, with 584 postings, followed by policy advisors, project policy analysts and legislative analysts.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to health policy analysts.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Analysts | 4,205 | 32.4% |
| Deputy Directors | 2,280 | 17.6% |
| Policy Advisors | 1,020 | 7.9% |
| Project Policy Analysts | 725 | 5.6% |
| Legislative Analysts | 486 | 3.7% |
| Health Policy Analysts | 631 | 4.9% |
| Cybersecurity Policy Analysts | 395 | 3% |
| Budget/Policy Analysts | 287 | 2.2% |
| Legislative Policy Analysts | 380 | 2.9% |
| Legislative Liaisons | 265 | 2% |
| Data and Policy Analysts | 324 | 2.5% |
| Medical Policy Analysts | 258 | 2% |
| Legislative Affairs Interns | 257 | 2% |
| Legislative Affairs Specialists | 325 | 2.5% |
| Directors of Legislative Affairs | 195 | 1.5% |
| Research and Policy Analysts | 240 | 1.9% |
| Legislative Directors | 167 | 1.3% |
| Public Policy Analysts | 156 | 1.2% |
| Legislative Coordinators | 191 | 1.5% |
| Policy and Procedure Analysts | 176 | 1.4% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for health policy analysts? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for health policy analysts.
How much do health policy analysts make?
Health Policy Analysts: How do you become one?
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