Public Administration Education and Career Guide

• Overview
• Master of Public Administration
• Career Paths
• Salaries

Geography

Geographic location can affect the rate of pay for two reasons. First, salaries are often closely linked to the cost of living. For example, employers in areas with a high cost of living, such as urban centers, will often pay higher salaries than those in rural areas. Additionally, salaries are influenced by the demand for workers in that geographic location versus the supply of qualified applicants.

In public administration, many higher-paying jobs tend to be concentrated in populous urban areas or centers of government, such as the District of Columbia or state capitals. In municipal governments, jobs in the largest cities will pay higher salaries than similar positions in small towns.

However, it's difficult to make a blanket statement regarding location and salaries. Smaller cities also need managers, planners, medical directors, and emergency management specialists, and they may offer competitive salaries to attract qualified applicants. Many public administrators work in universities, colleges, veterans hospitals, prisons, and other facilities that may be located in less populated areas.

Degree Level

Many people in public administration jobs begin their careers with a bachelor's degree and later decide to pursue a master's degree, either to qualify for a more advanced position or to move into an area of specialization. A person with a master's degree may earn a higher salary, though the rate of pay is also greatly influenced by other factors.

Experience

As public administrators gain experience, they may apply to higher-level management positions, which tend to pay more. For example, a deputy city manager may aspire to become the city manager. The advance in position tends to come with a pay raise.

"Generally speaking, compensation within public agencies scales upward with seniority," says Joshua Holder, instructor in public administration at the University of Central Florida.

He added that in some fields, experience can be more important than education in terms of pay. "Agencies value the institutional knowledge and confidence that comes with years on the job," Holder says.

It's not usual for public administrators to move from one job to another, even between government and nonprofit jobs. The skills learned in a master's of public administration transfer to all management positions.

Certificates

Certificate programs provide continuing education for professionals already working in the field. They serve as an alternative for people who may not want to enter a master's degree program but still desire to further their education.

A certificate program will not necessarily lead to higher pay but it will demonstrate to employers your dedication to the job and a desire for continuous improvement. For example, Certified Public Manager is a nationally recognized certificate for government workers.

At some universities, some credit hours earned toward a certificate will transfer if the person decides to pursue a master's degree later on.

He added that in some fields, experience can be more important than education in terms of pay. "Agencies value the institutional knowledge and confidence that comes with years on the job," Holder says.

It's not usual for public administrators to move from one job to another, even between government and nonprofit jobs. The skills learned in a master's of public administration transfer to all management positions.

Industry

Generally speaking, jobs in private companies tend to pay more than government jobs, although certain management specialties on the state and federal levels offer competitive salaries. Managers and directors of state and federal agencies and departments can make high salaries.

Working in the public sector may have other advantages.

"While most public sector jobs tend to bring in a lower base salary than equivalent positions in the private sector, public agencies are known to offer some of the best benefits in any industry," Holder explained. These benefits can include retirement options, healthcare, and time off.

Jobs with nonprofit organizations tend to have slightly lower salaries, with the exception of management positions in high-profile organizations.

Fields that tend to pay well at all levels are healthcare administrator jobs and positions that involve finances, statistics, and economics. The median salary of a medical and health services manager rests around $110,680, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Similarly, financial analysts can earn a median salary of $99,010.