Policy Analyst Jobs in California
Policy Analyst jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in state government, public health, environmental regulation, higher education, and nonprofit advocacy, with openings from entry-level research roles through senior director positions. Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are the primary hiring hubs, home to anchor employers such as the State of California, RAND Corporation, and Kaiser Permanente. The most in-demand specialties are health policy, environmental and climate policy, and education policy. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Policy Analyst JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 8+ Policy Analyst jobs
Salary & Compensation
*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.
Qualifications
- 3-5 years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. (Required)
- Interpersonal skills to develop cordial and cooperative working relationships with University administrators and staff. (Required)
- Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills to interact effectively and diplomatically with faculty, university administrators, staff, students, and off-campus professionals. (Required)
- Knowledge of the Million Dollar Hoods, Luskin School of Public Affairs & Bunche Center’s goals and objectives. (Preferred)
- Writing skills to present ideas in a logical and concise manner. (Required)
- Ability to think clearly and logically with frequent interruptions and changing priorities. (Required)
- Oral communications skills to serve as a liaison to convey a variety of information concisely and accurately.Skills to interact in a competent manner with colleagues, community members, and outside organization officials and staff from diverse social, cultural, and educational backgrounds. (Required)
- Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft office suite, Google Suite, and other software programs. (Required)
- Experience with campaign-driven community organizing. (Required)
- A working knowledge of LA County government structure and the history of movements in Black LA communities. (Preferred)
- Demonstrated ability in working independently and following tasks through to completion.Skill in defining problems and proposing solutions. (Required)
- Demonstrated project management skills, including developing project plans, establishing timelines and deliverables, coordinating multiple stakeholders, monitoring progress, identifying risks or barriers, and resolving project-related issues. (Required)
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate programs, policies, or projects and develop sound conclusions and recommendations. (Required)
Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations
- Master's Degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience. (Preferred)
- Bachelor's Degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. (Required)
Special Conditions for Employment
- Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
- Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.
Schedule
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Union/Policy Covered
RP-Research and Public Service PR
Complete Position Description
https://universityofcalifornia.marketpayjobs.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=38&JDName=Project%20and%20Policy%20Analyst%203%20RP%20(TBD_1000415) Apply
- Full Salary Range:
Salary & Compensation
*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.
Qualifications
- 3-5 years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. (Required)
- Interpersonal skills to develop cordial and cooperative working relationships with University administrators and staff. (Required)
- Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills to interact effectively and diplomatically with faculty, university administrators, staff, students, and off-campus professionals. (Required)
- Knowledge of the Million Dollar Hoods, Luskin School of Public Affairs & Bunche Center’s goals and objectives. (Preferred)
- Writing skills to present ideas in a logical and concise manner. (Required)
- Ability to think clearly and logically with frequent interruptions and changing priorities. (Required)
- Oral communications skills to serve as a liaison to convey a variety of information concisely and accurately.Skills to interact in a competent manner with colleagues, community members, and outside organization officials and staff from diverse social, cultural, and educational backgrounds. (Required)
- Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft office suite, Google Suite, and other software programs. (Required)
- Experience with campaign-driven community organizing. (Required)
- A working knowledge of LA County government structure and the history of movements in Black LA communities. (Preferred)
- Demonstrated ability in working independently and following tasks through to completion.Skill in defining problems and proposing solutions. (Required)
- Demonstrated project management skills, including developing project plans, establishing timelines and deliverables, coordinating multiple stakeholders, monitoring progress, identifying risks or barriers, and resolving project-related issues. (Required)
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate programs, policies, or projects and develop sound conclusions and recommendations. (Required)
Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations
- Master's Degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience. (Preferred)
- Bachelor's Degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. (Required)
Special Conditions for Employment
- Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
- Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.
Schedule
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Union/Policy Covered
RP-Research and Public Service PR
Complete Position Description
https://universityofcalifornia.marketpayjobs.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=38&JDName=Project%20and%20Policy%20Analyst%203%20RP%20(TBD_1000415) Apply
- Full Salary Range:
See All 8 Policy Analyst Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Policy Analyst JobsPolicy Analyst Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Policy Analyst Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in policy analyst jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in public policy, political science, or a related field
- Experience conducting quantitative and qualitative policy research and analysis
- Proficiency with data analysis tools such as Excel, R, STATA, or Tableau
- Strong written communication skills including policy memos, briefs, and reports
- Knowledge of California legislative processes, regulatory frameworks, or state agencies
- Experience engaging stakeholders, presenting findings, and supporting public comment processes
Policy Analyst Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a policy analyst in California?
Most policy analyst positions in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, economics, or a closely related field, with a master's degree preferred for senior roles. California has no state-issued license for policy analysts, so hiring is credential- and experience-driven. Strong candidates build their record through graduate programs at California institutions, internships with state agencies like the California Department of Finance or Legislative Analyst's Office, and experience with California-specific regulatory or legislative processes.
Which companies hire policy analysts in California?
Employers hiring policy analysts in California right now include UCLA Health, Google, and Child Development Associates, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's combination of a large state government, major research institutions, and a dense nonprofit and advocacy sector means demand for policy analysts is spread across public, private, and mission-driven organizations.
Which California cities have the most policy analyst jobs?
Los Angeles, Berkeley, and San Jose have the most policy analyst openings in California. Sacramento dominates because it is the state capital and home to the legislature, executive agencies, and affiliated advocacy organizations, while Los Angeles and San Francisco draw demand from large health systems, environmental nonprofits, research institutions, and technology-adjacent policy work.
Are there remote policy analyst jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 75% of policy analyst openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting that most of the work involves research, writing, and data analysis that can be done off-site. Research and report-writing roles tend to be the most remote-compatible, while positions requiring regular legislative testimony or agency liaison work typically require in-person presence in Sacramento or a regional office.
How can I get hired as a policy analyst in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an internship or fellowship with a California state agency, such as the Legislative Analyst's Office, the California Department of Finance, or a policy-focused nonprofit in Sacramento or Los Angeles. Many candidates move into analyst roles from adjacent positions like program coordinator, research assistant, or legislative aide. A master's degree in public policy from a California program, a strong writing sample, and demonstrated knowledge of California's legislative or regulatory environment give early-career applicants a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to policy analyst jobs in California?
You can find and apply to policy analyst jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and specialization, and apply directly to the positions that fit.
See All 8 Policy Analyst Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Policy Analyst Jobs