What Does it Take to Be a Climate Change Analyst?
Job Description & Duties Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.
A Day in the Life of a Climate Change Analyst
- Review existing policies or legislation to identify environmental impacts.
- Write reports or academic papers to communicate findings of climate-related studies.
- Present and defend proposals for climate change research projects.
- Prepare study reports, memoranda, briefs, testimonies, or other written materials to inform government or environmental groups on environmental issues such as climate change.
- Propose new or modified policies involving use of traditional and alternative fuels, transportation of goods, and other factors relating to climate and climate change.
- Research policies, practices, or procedures for climate or environmental management.
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Climate Change Analyst Skills
Climate Change Analysts state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Senior Climate Advisor
- Energy Assessor
- Scientist
- Greenhouse Gas Climate Change Specialist
- Ecological Risk Assessor
What Kind of Climate Change Analyst Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 89,500 jobs for Climate Change Analyst in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 9,900 new jobs for Climate Change Analyst by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 9,500 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Climate Change Analyst are Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Climate Change Analyst
The salary for Climate Change Analysts ranges between about $42,520 and $124,620 a year.

Climate Change Analysts who work in District of Columbia, California, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.
How much do Climate Change Analysts make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $67,630 |
Alaska | $80,220 |
Arizona | $72,150 |
Arkansas | $58,540 |
California | $91,890 |
Colorado | $93,010 |
Connecticut | $83,220 |
Delaware | $59,890 |
District of Columbia | $115,190 |
Florida | $58,790 |
Georgia | $72,860 |
Hawaii | $69,780 |
Idaho | $60,470 |
Illinois | $78,640 |
Indiana | $62,590 |
Iowa | $74,140 |
Kansas | $76,780 |
Kentucky | $51,740 |
Louisiana | $68,570 |
Maine | $67,390 |
Maryland | $77,300 |
Massachusetts | $82,580 |
Michigan | $69,430 |
Minnesota | $74,880 |
Missouri | $53,820 |
Montana | $68,660 |
Nebraska | $61,020 |
Nevada | $63,920 |
New Hampshire | $75,520 |
New Jersey | $80,350 |
New Mexico | $87,200 |
New York | $79,340 |
North Carolina | $64,850 |
North Dakota | $72,860 |
Ohio | $74,750 |
Oklahoma | $65,490 |
Oregon | $77,980 |
Pennsylvania | $74,430 |
Rhode Island | $82,160 |
South Dakota | $61,250 |
Tennessee | $72,470 |
Texas | $80,880 |
Utah | $68,480 |
Vermont | $66,440 |
Virginia | $85,550 |
Washington | $85,090 |
West Virginia | $56,380 |
Wisconsin | $61,030 |
Wyoming | $68,940 |
What Tools do Climate Change Analysts Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Climate Change Analysts may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Python
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- SAS
- Linux
- UNIX
- R
- Practical extraction and reporting language Perl
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Interface definition language IDL
- C++
- Ferret
- Grid analysis and display system GrADS
- Unidata Integrated Data Viewer IDV
How do I Become a Climate Change Analyst?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Climate Change Analyst?

What work experience do I need to become a Climate Change Analyst?

References:
Image Credit: Lynn Betts via Photo by Lynn Betts, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
More about our data sources and methodologies.