Policy Analyst Salary – Government of Canada (2026)
How much do federal policy analysts make? Classification mapping, salary by level, and career path.
How Policy Analyst Roles Are Classified
The Government of Canada doesn't advertise positions as “Policy Analyst” — instead, each role is assigned a classification code that determines its pay scale. Here's how policy analyst roles map to federal classifications:
| Classification | Role | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| EC-04 | Policy analyst (most common) | $83,862 – $97,051 |
| EC-05 | Senior policy analyst | $100,265 – $115,404 |
| EC-03 | Junior policy analyst | $77,690 – $87,907 |
| EC-06 | Principal analyst / section head | $113,278 – $131,375 |
| PM-04 | Policy analyst (program-focused) | $80,612 – $87,108 |
| PM-05 | Senior policy analyst (operations) | $96,235 – $104,044 |
What Federal Policy Analysts Do
Policy analysts in the federal government research issues, analyze data, develop policy options, and write briefing notes that inform government decisions. Most are classified as EC (Economics and Social Science Services), though some program-focused policy roles are classified as PM. Policy analysts work across virtually every department — Finance Canada, Health Canada, ESDC, IRCC, Environment Canada, and central agencies like PCO and TBS. The work ranges from quantitative economic analysis to qualitative social policy research.
Policy Analyst Salary Breakdown
The typical working-level policy analyst (EC-04 or EC-05) earns $91,953–$112,437. Senior analysts at EC-06 earn up to $127,608. Policy analysts classified as PM earn the same salary as their AS equivalents — a PM-04 earns $74,180–$80,612. The EC classification generally pays more than PM at equivalent levels because EC positions require higher educational qualifications.
How to Get Hired
Most EC policy analyst positions require a master's degree in economics, public policy, political science, or a related social science. PM policy positions are more flexible on education but may require program delivery experience. Entry is typically at EC-02 or EC-03 through GC Jobs competitions. Many analysts enter through student bridging (FSWEP/COOP) or post-graduate recruitment campaigns. Bilingualism (English/French) is often required at EC-04 and above.