GovernmentUpdated Q1 2026

Policy Analyst Salary
in Winston-Salem, NC

Research, analyze, and evaluate public policies to advise government decision-makers. Median salary in Winston-Salem: $74K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$74K
per year
Take-home: $49K

Salary range in Winston-Salem

Entry level (25th)$55,000
Median (50th)$74,000
Senior (75th)$96,000
Top earner (90th)$124,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Winston-Salem

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

5% discount vs national median

Policy Analysts in Winston-Salem earn approximately 5% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $4,000 discount on annual base salary. Winston-Salem's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 85 (US avg = 100).

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Winston-Salem's cost-of-living index (85), the median Policy Analyst salary buys the equivalent of $87,059 in a US-average-cost city. That's $9,059 more purchasing power than the national median β€” a meaningful real-wage advantage.

Key facts for Winston-Salem

Median salary
$74K
annual
Take-home pay
$49K
after fed/state tax
COL index
85
100 = US avg
State income tax
4.75%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,100
per month
YoY growth
+3.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Winston-Salem Policy Analyst to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $74K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Winston-Salem

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Policy Analyst salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$62K$68K$73K$79K$84K201920212023202520272029
2026
$76K
projected
2027
$78K
projected
2028
$80K
projected
2029
$82K
projected
2030
$84K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$74,000+$0
2028 projected$74,000+$0
2029 projected$74,000+$0
2030 projected$74,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Policy Analyst Salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Policy Analyst salary in Winston-Salem, NC is $74,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Winston-Salem–NC metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Policy Analyst in Winston-Salem

Entry-level Policy Analysts in Winston-Salem with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $55,000 and $74,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $74,000 to $96,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $96,000 to $124,000 or more.

Cost of living in Winston-Salem for Policy Analysts

Winston-Salem has a cost of living index of 85 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 15% further in Winston-Salem than the national average. North Carolina has a 4.75% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Policy Analyst

Bachelor's or Master's in Public Policy or Political Science. 40% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Policy Analyst salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Winston-Salem (current)$74K85
Charlotte$76K100
Raleigh$78K102
Greensboro$74K88
Durham$78K100
Fayetteville$73K82