Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Public Administration
Prepares you to serve as managers in the executive arm of local, state, and federal government and that focuses on the systematic study of executive organization and management. Covers the roles, development, and principles of public administration; the management of public policy; executive-legislative relations; public budgetary processes and financial management; administrative law; public personnel management; professional ethics; and research methods.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 3 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Public Works Management
- Study that focuses on public works management skills and public works operation. Covers accountability, budget, conflict resolution strategies, ethics, finance, human resources, labor and employee relations, and operations management.
- Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies
- Focuses on the economic, social, spatial, and environmental aspects of transportation and infrastructure planning. Covers economics, environmental analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), logistics, risk analysis, transportation economics, transportation evaluation, transportation planning, transportation policy, and urban transportation planning.
- Public Administration, Other
- Public administration not listed above.
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Managers, All Other
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.9%
- Job openings a year
- 100,900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingGeneral and Operations Managers
- Median pay
- $105,770
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.0%
- Job openings a year
- 285,000
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing fastConstruction Managers
- Median pay
- $114,990
- Hiring change through 2035
- 9.1%
- Job openings a year
- 49,700
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingTransportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
- Median pay
- $107,230
- Hiring change through 2035
- 6.1%
- Job openings a year
- 18,300
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing with the economyChief Executives
- Median pay
- $213,990
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.2%
- Job openings a year
- 19,100
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingSocial and Community Service Managers
- Median pay
- $80,390
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.2%
- Job openings a year
- 18,500
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyUrban and Regional Planners
- Median pay
- $89,320
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.9%
- Job openings a year
- 3,200
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this career ShrinkingPostmasters and Mail Superintendents
- Median pay
- $96,660
- Hiring change through 2035
- −0.3%
- Job openings a year
- 900
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing with the economyTraffic Technicians
- Median pay
- $59,090
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.0%
- Job openings a year
- 900
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $38,151 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Few of the careers connected to this field are measured as substantially in-person or active work. Compare the specific occupations to see how much time each one involves with people, equipment, and movement.
College options
Where to study it
Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.