Program Evaluation Analyst
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Define evaluation goals and success measures
- Develop evaluation plans and timelines
- Design surveys and interview guides
- Collect data from program systems and stakeholders
- Clean and organize datasets for analysis
- Analyze outcomes, trends, and differences across groups
- Assess program reach, quality, and participant experience
- Summarize findings in reports and presentations
- Create practical recommendations for program improvement
- Support continuous improvement with regular tracking and updates
- Coordinate with program teams to align on data needs
- Protect data privacy and follow ethical research practices
Top Skills for Success
Analytical Thinking
Written Communication
Stakeholder Management
Project Management
Survey Design
Interviewing
Data Cleaning
Data Visualization
Impact Measurement
Program Monitoring
Statistics
Research Methods
Privacy Compliance
Grant Reporting
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Senior Program Evaluation Analyst
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
Research Analyst
Data Analyst
Program Manager
Transition Opportunities
Evaluation Manager
Insights Manager
Policy Analyst
Research Manager
Analytics Lead
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Evaluation DesignOutcome DefinitionCausal InferenceStatistical ModelingData VisualizationData Quality ManagementExecutive StorytellingChange Management
Development SuggestionsBuild a small portfolio with one end to end evaluation example. Strengthen core statistics and reporting skills, then practice translating findings into clear decisions for nontechnical audiences.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 55,000 to 75,000
Mid LevelUSD 75,000 to 100,000
Senior LevelUSD 100,000 to 135,000
Growth Trend
Steady demand, driven by increased focus on accountability, impact measurement, and evidence-based funding across government, healthcare, education, and nonprofits.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
Federal agenciesState and local government departmentsPublic health systemsHealth insurersHospital networksSchool districtsUniversitiesNonprofit organizationsFoundationsInternational development organizationsManagement consulting firmsResearch organizations
Industry Sectors
GovernmentPublic HealthHealthcareEducationNonprofitSocial ServicesInternational DevelopmentConsultingResearch
Recommended Next Steps
1
Create a one page evaluation plan template you can reuse2
Build a sample dashboard that tracks program inputs, outputs, and outcomes3
Practice survey writing by drafting a short participant survey and refining questions for clarity4
Take a course in statistics and research methods focused on applied program evaluation5
Learn one analysis tool deeply and publish a small analysis project6
Collect examples of concise reports and replicate the structure for your own work7
Prepare interview stories that show how you turned findings into program changes8
Join a professional community focused on evaluation and impact measurement