Find Public Administration Schools near you.

Enter your zip code below to find top
Public Administration Colleges and Schools in your area.
    ENTER YOUR ZIP CODE:  
Public Administration Degree and Career Overview
Average Salary & Job Outlook
Police Chief Median wages (2006)
$78,547 annual
Local Government Managers Median wages (2006)
$74,950 annual
State Government Management Analysts Median wages (2006)
$50,270 annual
Police Corporal Median wages (2006)
$44,160 annual
Probation Officers Managers Median wages (2006)
$42,500 annual
U.S. Minimum Wage
$10,712 Annually

*Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Since there are a wide variety of career options in the public administrationfield, individuals working in this industry have a broad range of salaries. For example, city managers can make between $51,000 to $79,000 annually, depending on the size of their communities. The median overall income for public administrators generally ranges from $35,000 to $45,000.


Graduates of Public Administration school are generally called upon to fill governmental positions at both the state and federal levels, though an increasing number of public administration graduates are filling managerial roles within businesses as well.

Public Administrators work toward developing and implementing government policy in order to enhance the public good. Whether a public administrator works with a government agency or another organization with a similar structure, the main purpose of the public administrator is to provide services to the public. As such, a variety of different career paths can fall within the umbrella of a public administrator. Some of these include:

  • Analyst
  • Auditor
  • Border guard
  • City manager
  • Manager of a government agency
  • Probation officer
  • Police officer
  • Firefighter

Regardless of the position held, those who pursue a public administration degree take coursework in the areas of administrative law, political science, management, economics and sociology. In this way, the public administrator is prepared for a career that involves carrying out public services in the most efficient, effective and just way possible.

The educational requirements for those interested in public administration vary according to the career path one wishes to pursue. In addition, obtaining some positions within the field requires being elected to the position. Students who are working towards a degree in public administration often find themselves in a variety of jobs in the local, state, and federal government, as well as non-profit organizations.

The bottom line is—if you are looking to make a difference in your community, a public administration degree is the way to go!

   © 2009 Top Colleges LLC. Affiliate Program Advertise with us Privacy Policy Newsletter Sign Up Press Releases Blog

Although our site is called Top-Colleges, we feature a variety of educational
options, including schools, training centers, universities and other institutions
that may not be classified as colleges.