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Policy Advisor Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Guidehouse

DHS Policy & Strategy Advisor

Washington, DC · On-site

$98K - $163K/yr

The Strategy & Policy Advisor will support the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This role provides highvisibility, missioncritical support across six integrated task areas involving strategic ...

Son

Chief Legal and Policy Advisor

Annapolis, MD

$30.06 - $44.31/hr

JR2026-00023012 Chief Legal and Policy Advisor (Open) Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed): Provides professional legal services to the ...

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Policy Advisor information

See Washington salary details

$49.8K

$118.7K

$177.3K

How much do policy advisor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for policy advisor in Washington is $118,651.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $89,500.00 and $144,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a policy advisor?

Policy advisors research and analyze the policies in a specific field. As a policy advisor, your job duties involve reviewing current policies, developing more effective strategies, and communicating these changes to those in charge. Policy advisors often work for schools, medical facilities, and government agencies. Positions are also available as political policy analysts with the federal government, political think tanks, and private firms. Your exact job responsibilities as a policy advisor vary greatly depending on your field and specific employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a policy advisor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Policy Advisor, you need strong analytical skills, a solid understanding of public policy, and typically a relevant degree such as in political science, public administration, or law. Familiarity with data analysis tools, legislative tracking systems, and policy research databases is important to conduct thorough evaluations. Excellent written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and stakeholder management are standout soft skills in this role. These skills are vital for effectively shaping policy recommendations, influencing decision-makers, and ensuring policies are evidence-based and impactful.

How does a policy advisor typically collaborate with various stakeholders when developing new policies?

Policy Advisors frequently work with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, subject matter experts, advocacy groups, and community representatives. Effective collaboration involves conducting consultations, facilitating meetings, and synthesizing feedback to ensure policies are both practical and broadly supported. Strong communication and negotiation skills are essential, as Policy Advisors must balance differing interests while maintaining alignment with organizational objectives. This collaborative approach is crucial for creating well-informed and implementable policy recommendations.

What is the difference between Policy Advisor vs Policy Analyst?

AspectPolicy AdvisorPolicy Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in public policy, political science, or related field; often advanced degrees preferredBachelor's or master's in public policy, political science, economics, or related areas
Work EnvironmentAdvises government officials or organizations, often in office settings, attending meetings and briefingsResearch-focused, analyzing data and policy options, working in offices or research institutions
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, NGOs, think tanks, consulting firmsGovernment departments, research organizations, think tanks, consulting firms

While both Policy Advisors and Policy Analysts work within the policy field, Policy Advisors primarily provide strategic advice and recommendations to decision-makers, whereas Policy Analysts focus on researching, analyzing, and evaluating policy options. The roles often overlap, but Advisors tend to have more direct influence on policy development and implementation.

What education is needed to be a policy advisor?

A policy advisor typically needs at least a bachelor's degree in political science, public administration, law, economics, or a related field. Many roles prefer or require a master's degree or higher, along with strong analytical, communication, and research skills. Relevant experience and knowledge of government processes or policy analysis are also important.

What is the typical policy advisor salary?

The salary for a policy advisor typically ranges from $60,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior policy advisors or those in specialized fields may earn higher salaries, often exceeding $120,000. Compensation can also include benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.
More about Policy Advisor jobs

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For Policy Advisor jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Policy Advisor jobs in Washington are:

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Policy Advisor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Policy Advisor job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,651 per year, or $57 per hour.

DHS Policy & Strategy Advisor

Guidehouse

Washington, DC • On-site

$98K - $163K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 24 days ago

Guidehouse rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 72 rated business consultants

Job description

Job Family:

Strategy & Transformation Consulting


Travel Required:

None


Clearance Required:

Ability to Obtain Public Trust

What You Will Do:

The Strategy & Policy Advisor will support the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This role provides highvisibility, missioncritical support across six integrated task areas involving strategic alignment, analytics, automation, process improvement, executive secretariat support, and content development. The consultant will work closely with DHS senior leadership, crosscomponent stakeholders, and strategic planning teams to advance department-wide policy execution and longterm strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities include the following:

  • Advise senior DHS leaders on strategic priorities, policy issues, and organizational initiatives that support departmental mission objectives.

  • Conduct policy research, analysis, and stakeholder engagement to inform leadership decisions and develop actionable recommendations.

  • Prepare executive-level briefings, reports, decision memoranda, strategic communications, and other high-visibility deliverables.

  • Support governance, strategic planning, and performance management activities, including coordinating executive meetings, tracking action items, and monitoring progress toward organizational goals.

  • Lead and coordinate cross-functional projects and special initiatives, driving collaboration across DHS components and stakeholders to advance strategic outcomes.

What You Will Need:

  • Must be able to OBTAIN and MAINTAIN a Federal or DoD "PUBLIC TRUST"; Candidates with an ACTIVE PUBLIC TRUST or SUITABILITY are preferred.

  • Bachelor's Degree

  • THREE (3) or more years of experience supporting strategy, policy, program management, management consulting, or a related field

  • Strong writing and communication skills for seniorlevel audiences.

  • Ability to collaborate effectively in fastpaced, highvisibility environments with diverse stakeholders.


What Would Be Nice To Have:

  • Experience supporting DHS, federal policy organizations, or government strategy and operations initiatives.

  • Knowledge of DHS mission areas, including immigration enforcement, border security, counterterrorism, international affairs, or other homeland security functions.

  • Familiarity with DHS headquarters operations, including policy coordination, Executive Secretariat (ExecSec) processes, and engagement with senior executives and political appointees.

  • Experience supporting strategic planning, performance management, organizational modernization, or digital transformation initiatives within the federal government.

  • Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data, develop dashboards and visualizations, and translate findings into actionable recommendations for leadership.

  • Experience with process improvement, workflow design, and automation tools (e.g., Power Automate) to improve operational efficiency and reporting.

  • Exposure to AI-enabled analytics, data-driven decision support, or emerging technologies in a government environment.

  • Experience supporting political appointees.

The annual salary range for this position is $98,000.00-$163,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.


What We Offer:

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include:

  • Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance

  • Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays

  • Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus

  • Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance

  • 401(k) Retirement Plan

  • Basic Life & Supplemental Life

  • Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

  • Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

  • Student Loan PayDown

  • Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities

  • Skills Development & Certifications

  • Employee Referral Program

  • Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach

  • Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program

  • Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer-Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at RecruitingAccommodation@guidehouse.com. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or guidehouse@myworkday.com. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse's Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact recruiting@guidehouse.com. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant's dealings with unauthorized third parties.

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.

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