Climate Change Policy Analysts
Machines can already do 50% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 78%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Climate Change Policy Analysts in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 50% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 5% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 78% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 89,250 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $82,220 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 64% for contact with people.
- Also called: Climate Advisor, Climate Analyst, Climate and Energy Program Associate, Climate Economist.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provide analytical support for policy briefs related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, or climate change | 13% | 25% to 55% | |
| Prepare study reports, memoranda, briefs, testimonies, or other written materials to inform government or environmental groups on environmental issues, such as climate change | 13% | 70% to 95% | |
| Analyze and distill climate-related research findings to inform legislators, regulatory agencies, or other stakeholders | 10% | 58% to 88% | |
| Gather and review climate-related studies from government agencies, research laboratories, and other organizations | 10% | 70% to 95% | |
| Propose new or modified policies involving use of traditional and alternative fuels, transportation of goods, and other factors relating to climate and climate change | 7% | 35% to 65% | |
| Review existing policies or legislation to identify environmental impacts | 7% | 60% to 90% | |
| Research policies, practices, or procedures for climate or environmental management | 7% | 55% to 85% | |
| Make legislative recommendations related to climate change or environmental management, based on climate change policies, principles, programs, practices, and processes | 6% | 35% to 65% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills climate change policy analysts use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers65% of tasks by 2035 · US median $141,900
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors70% of tasks by 2035 · US median $80,730
- Sustainability Specialists77% of tasks by 2035 · US median $83,050
- Chief Sustainability Officers65% of tasks by 2035 · US median $213,990
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Climate Change Policy Analysts?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of climate change policy analysts?
Machines can do 50% of the tasks of climate change policy analysts today and 78% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 19-2041.01 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Climate Change Policy Analysts: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/climate-change-policy-analysts/