Public administration is the focus on public programs and policy management. As a result, most public administration, or public service jobs, are found in local, state, and federal government, from transportation to safety, but there are select careers in nonprofit organizations and businesses, too. Individuals in these careers often focus on identifying public (or customer) needs and problems to then help develop solutions. Below, we’ve explained what you need to know about public administration as a major and outlined jobs you should consider with your degree in public administration.
What Is a Public Administration Major?
Flickr user Michael Gorey
Students studying public administration in college will learn a mix of political science, management skills, and public policy and how they relate to government agencies and/or nonprofit organizations.
Courses can cover how local, state, and federal agencies operate, the roles of various public administration, and legislative processes. Other classes explain how to create and implement public policies, analyze policy issues, budget, and strategically plan. Other subject matter might include ethics, transparency, public trust, legal frameworks, taxes, communication, and crisis management.
Public administration students might want to choose a concentration, such as public policy, public financial management, nonprofit administration, public management, emergency management, criminal justice, or human resources. The exact concentrations available depend on the college.
Top Schools for Public Administration Majors
Some of the best colleges for public administration are:
- Indiana University – Bloomington
- Total Enrollment: 47,005
- Location: Bloomington, IN
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Syracuse University
- Total Enrollment: 22,698
- Location: Syracuse, NY
- Acceptance Rate: 42%
- University of Oregon
- Total Enrollment: 23,163
- Location: Eugene, OR
- Acceptance Rate: 85.2%
- West Carolina University
- Total Enrollment: 11,635
- Location: Cullowhee, NC
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- University of Hawaii – West Oahu
- Total Enrollment: 2,913
- Location: Kapolei, HI
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
12 Public Administration Jobs
Public administration jobs are usually found in the public sector, everywhere from city governments to federal departments and hospitals to state universities. However, they can also be in nonprofit organizations, such as American Red Cross, or private sector business, including universities and policy research companies.
If you’re thinking about entering public service, here are 12 public administration jobs you could consider with information on their median wages, projected job growth between 2022 and 2023, and more.
1. URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNER
- Median annual wage: $81,000
- Projected job growth: 3.8%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s or Master’s
- Other potential majors: Sustainability Studies, Urban Studies, Real Estate Development
Urban and regional planners design and organize cities, towns, and regions, focusing on creating functional and sustainable areas for inhabitants. Common responsibilities include assisting with zoning laws, planning road layouts, and incorporating green spaces.
2. HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
- Median annual wage: $136,000
- Projected job growth: 5.2%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Other potential majors: Business Administration and Management, Human Resources Management, Organizational Leadership
A human resources (HR) manager helps manage aspects within an organization, such as an agency or business, while also overseeing the HR department. They’ll recruit employees, onboard and train new hires, and promote a positive work environment.
3. COMPLIANCE MANAGER
- Median annual wage: $133,000
- Projected job growth: 2.4%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Other potential majors: Business Administration and Management, Political Science and Government, Business/Commerce
Compliance managers make sure an organization follows all applicable laws and regulations, which minimizes risk and penalties. They often develop internal policies that align with requirements, communicate those policies with the right team members, and conduct audits.
4. PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER
- Median annual wage: $134,000
- Projected job growth: 6%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Other potential majors: Speech Communication and Rhetoric, Public Relations, Mass Communication
Public relations managers help agencies, organizations, and businesses maintain a positive public image. Managers oversee their public relation specialists. Strong communication skills are a must, as those in these roles will have to be able to communicate in a crisis, develop plans that promote the organization’s goals, and nurture relationships with journalists and media outlets.
5. BUDGET ANALYST
- Median annual wage: $84,000
- Projected job growth: 3.3%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Other potential majors: Accounting, Finance, Public Finance
A budget analyst focuses on helping organizations plan, manage, and monitor their financial resources to stay within budgets. Common tasks include monitoring and tracking expenses, performing financial analyses, and planning budgets.
6. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE MANAGER
- Median annual wage: $106,000
- Projected job growth: 3.2%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Other potential majors: Business Administration and Management, Business/Commerce, Office Management and Supervision
Agencies, businesses, and nonprofits have a lot of moving parts. Administrative service managers make sure those parts are moving smoothly. They help support an organization’s records, information management strategies, mail distribution, and more.
7. ECONOMIST
- Median annual wage: $115,000
- Projected job growth: 6.3%
- Degree required: Master’s
- Other potential majors: Economics, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Business/Managerial Economics
Public-sector economists analyze economic data, trends, and behaviors to provide recommendations to governments and related organizations. Some areas they may investigate include inflation, unemployment, and GDP.
8. SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE MANAGER
- Median annual wage: $77,000
- Projected job growth: 9.1%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Other potential majors: Business Administration and Management, Business/Commerce
A social and community service manager develops and oversees social services and programs that support individuals and communities. Some projects might include housing assistance, mental health services, substance abuse recovery, or grants.
9. PROPERTY, REAL ESTATE, AND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MANAGER
- Median annual wage: $62,000
- Projected job growth: 5.4%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Other potential majors: Real Estate, Real Estate Development
Property, real estate, and community association managers are responsible for the daily operations of public properties and real estate assets. They’ll create strategies to maintain the properties, to remain compliant with laws and regulations, and to ensure the properties service the needs of the community.
10. SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGER
- Median annual wage: $99,000
- Projected job growth: 8.2%
- Degree required: High school diploma, some college, or Bachelor’s
- Other potential majors: Business Administration and Management, Business/Commerce, Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management
Supply chain managers focus on getting the materials their agency or organization needs from their suppliers. Efficiency is key, but these managers also need to follow budgets, negotiate contracts, and manage inventory.
11. POSTMASTER OR MAIL SUPERINTENDENT
- Median annual wage: $88,000
- Projected job growth: -6.9% (While this number seems low across the US, some states do have better growth potential like Colorado at +5%, and Florida at +3%)
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
Just about every town has a post office, and every post office has a postmaster. Postmasters and mail superintendents oversee the location’s customer service and mail services, including mail sorting and delivery. They also assist and manage their team members, such as postal clerks and carriers.
12. MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES MANAGER
- Median annual wage: $110,000
- Projected job growth: 7.6%
- Degree required: Bachelor’s
- Other potential majors: Health/Health Care Administration/Management, Public Health, Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration/Management
Medical and health services managers, often called healthcare administrators, manage everything that goes on in a healthcare facility, from emergencies to surgery. They manage staff, create short and long term goals, and design strategies to maintain equipment and the building.
A career in public administration can be extremely rewarding. It helps you give back to the community and directly be a part of your town or city’s growth and development. These are only some of the many public service jobs that exist out there, but they’re a good start if you’re debating careers.
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