Public Administration
Public Administration & Social Service
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $62,424 | $55,750 to $70,266 | 51 | 98% |
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | $74,416 | $74,213 to $81,812 | 5 | 100% |
| Master's Degree | $76,032 | $64,682 to $85,305 | 263 | 100% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +4% (2023 to 2033), about 528,800 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $101,280 | +4.4% | 308,700 |
| Managers, All Other | $133,560 | +4.5% | 106,700 |
| Construction Managers | $104,900 | +8.7% | 46,800 |
| Chief Executives | $206,680 | +4.3% | 22,200 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $77,030 | +6.4% | 18,600 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $99,200 | +6.1% | 18,500 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, so this lists where the major commonly leads, not any one graduate's job.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.