AI Policy Analyst Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$139,000
national median salary
$98,000 to $177,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $142,080 for Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094) across the United States, based on 5,540 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$83,350
25th percentile
$114,030
Median
$142,080
75th percentile
$174,180
90th percentile
$195,190
Workers surveyed
5,540
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$139,380
May 2025 release
$142,080
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094) rather than AI Policy Analystspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 19-3094Highest Paying
$191,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$145,000
Washington DC, DC
Lowest Paying
$109,000
Jackson, MS
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 19-3094. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average AI Policy Analyst salary in the United States at $139,000 in 2026, within a range of $98,000 to $177,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $191,000, while Washington DC offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. This rapidly growing role pays based on employer type, with tech companies paying 20 to 40% more than government or nonprofits.
AI Policy Analyst salary by city.
Skills that increase AI Policy Analyst pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for AI Policy Analysts based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $19,460 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$19,460 per year
≈ +$18,070 per year
≈ +$16,680 per year
≈ +$15,290 per year
≈ +$13,900 per year
≈ +$13,900 per year
≈ +$13,900 per year
≈ +$12,510 per year
What you should know.
This rapidly growing role pays based on employer type, with tech companies paying 20 to 40% more than government or nonprofits. Expertise in the EU AI Act, NIST AI RMF, and algorithmic accountability frameworks drives premiums. Technical fluency with ML concepts alongside policy writing skills commands the highest salaries.
Junior policy researchers start at $65,000 to $85,000. Mid-level AI policy analysts earn $100,000 to $130,000 within four to six years. Directors of AI policy at major tech firms or senior government advisors reach $150,000 to $200,000.
Tech company roles include equity grants worth $15,000 to $60,000 annually and bonuses of 10 to 15%. Government and think tank roles offer strong benefits, pension plans, and loan forgiveness but lower base salaries.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote AI Policy Analysts typically earn $129,000 (7% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about AI Policy Analyst pay.
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