What Can I Do With a Public Administration Degree?

Careers in Public Administration

Public administration integrates interdisciplinary coursework in government, political science, economics, and business to prepare individuals for a variety of professional roles. Public administration degrees emphasize public relations, management, and analysis skills. This knowledge can benefit learners looking to pursue employment in fundraising, public services, and healthcare.

If you enjoy working with people, assessing qualitative and quantitative data, developing and implementing policy, and providing valuable support to others, a public administration degree may offer an ideal education. The following information explores some available public administration career pathways, along with median salaries and projected job growth rates.

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Median Annual Salary (2020): $125,130
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 3%

Compensation and benefits managers oversee payment programs for businesses and organizations. These professionals supervise staff, work with fellow managers, and advise employees about payment and benefit structures. They also ensure that companies allocate payment and benefits in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Human Resources Managers

Median Annual Salary (2020): $121,220
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 6%

Human resources managers manage recruiting, hiring, and dismissal practices, working with other managers to ensure employees fit well within companies. They handle staffing issues and disputes, oversee budgets, and ensure that employees follow government regulations and company policies.

Public Relations and Fundraising Managers

Median Annual Salary (2020): $118,430
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 9%

A public relations manager prepares and distributes information to craft an organization's public image. Fundraising managers coordinate efforts to raise money by working with private donors. Both public relations and fundraising managers must possess strong communication skills, engage with the media, and supervise staff.

Top Executives

Median Annual Salary (2020): $107,680
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 4%

Top executives develop and implement strategies and policies to guide organizations and businesses. They work with managers to oversee daily operations, monitor budgets, and consult with employees. These roles include chief executive officers, city managers, and university presidents.

Medical and Health Services Managers

Median Annual Salary (2020): $104,280
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 32%

Medical and health services managers work in clinical settings and healthcare organizations, often as facility managers. Often referred to as healthcare administrators, they oversee healthcare services, maintain efficiency and quality, recruit and train employees, and monitor budgets. These professionals also implement and ensure adherence to appropriate laws and regulations.

Administrative Service Managers

Median Annual Salary (2020): $98,890
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 6%

Administrative service managers oversee the entirety of organizational operations. They supervise staff, budgets, record keeping, and facilities to ensure safety and efficiency. Administrative service managers also direct information management practices and policies.

Postsecondary Education Administrators

Median Annual Salary (2020): $97,500
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 4%

Postsecondary education administrators work at colleges and universities in academic and student services roles. As provosts and academic deans, for example, they serve as intermediaries between faculty and other administrators. These professionals also include admissions officers, who work closely with students; registrars, who oversee student records; and student affairs administrators, who coordinate nonacademic programs and services.

Social and Community Service Managers

Median Annual Salary (2020): $69,600
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 17%

Social and community service managers engage with individuals and groups to assess their needs, implement effective programs, and allocate resources. By working with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders, these professionals interact with policymakers and the public alike.

Public Relations Specialists

Median Annual Salary (2020): $62,810
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 7%

Public relations specialists manage the public image of individuals and organizations. They provide the media with information, oversee social media accounts, assess public opinion, and write speeches and statements for clients. They may also help create advertisements for written and visual media.

Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers

Median Annual Salary (2020): $59,660
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 0%

Property, real estate, and community association managers take care of land and facilities. They oversee budgets, safety, and maintenance while interacting with occupants and owners alike. These professionals collect fees and dues, handle complaints, and ensure that residents comply with property and association rules and regulations.

Source:Bureau of Labor Statistics

Public Administration Degree Program Accreditation

Colleges and universities hold national or regional accreditation, a designation granted by third-party agencies. Schools with national accreditation provide vocational, career, and technical programs, while schools with regional accreditation typically offer certificates and degrees of a more academic nature. Regional accreditation generally holds more prestige.

Students should determine each prospective school's accreditation, as the status can influence transfer options, financial aid, and overall employment options. Along with national and regional accreditation, many departments maintain additional programmatic accreditation.

Awarded by a discipline-specific body, programmatic accreditation demonstrates that the program meets the highest standards and policies in the industry. The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration accredits public administration programs.

Public Administration Professional Organizations