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Public Administration Majors’ Salary Over the Career
This figure shows median earnings by age for those who majored in Public Administration but have a bachelor’s degree only: “This Major (BA only)”, and those who majored in Public Administration but obtained a masters degree or higher: “This Major (Grad Degree)”. For reference, “All Majors (BA only)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a bachelor’s degree only, and “All Majors (Grad Degree)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a Master’s degree or higher.
This table highlights key outcomes for Public Administration majors, compared to averages for all college graduates.
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Top 10 Early-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Public Administration majors aged 25-35 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Public Administration majors aged 25-35 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 63,000 |
| 4 | Police Officers and Detectives | 86,600 |
| 3 | Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Specialists | 63,500 |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 61,900 |
| 3 | Customer Service Representatives | 40,600 |
| 3 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 47,100 |
| 2 | Social Workers | 43,200 |
| 2 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 2 | Firefighters | 81,100 |
| 2 | Office Clerks, General | 38,700 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Public Administration majors aged 45-55 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Public Administration majors aged 45-55 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 113,000 |
| 6 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 4 | Police Officers and Detectives | 117,000 |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 83,200 |
| 3 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 56,200 |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | 118,000 |
| 2 | Social Workers | 66,900 |
| 2 | First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 90,900 |
| 2 | Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Specialists | 97,700 |
| 2 | Customer Service Representatives | 66,700 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Master’s Degree or higher)
These are the top occupations for Public Administration majors aged 45-55 who have completed graduate work (Masters, PhD, Professional Degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Public Administration majors aged 45-55 with graduate degrees who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 130,000 |
| 6 | Lawyers, and judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers | 151,000 |
| 4 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 4 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 171,000 |
| 4 | Education Administrators | 113,000 |
| 4 | Social Workers | 76,600 |
| 3 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 81,800 |
| 3 | Police Officers and Detectives | 120,000 |
| 3 | Management Analysts | 105,000 |
| 3 | Postsecondary Teachers | 86,700 |
Top 10 Early-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Public Administration majors aged 25-35 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Public Administration majors aged 25-35 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Justice, public order, and safety | 79,800 |
| 9 | General government, n.e.c. | 68,000 |
| 7 | Colleges and universities | 56,000 |
| 4 | Social services, n.e.c. | 56,700 |
| 4 | Elementary and secondary schools | 55,000 |
| 3 | Membership organizations, n.e.c. | 64,500 |
| 3 | Insurance | 61,900 |
| 3 | National security and international affairs | 84,100 |
| 3 | Administration of human resources programs | 70,300 |
| 3 | Hospitals | 80,400 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Public Administration majors aged 45-55 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Public Administration majors aged 45-55 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Justice, public order, and safety | 113,000 |
| 7 | General government, n.e.c. | 100,000 |
| 6 | Elementary and secondary schools | 66,800 |
| 6 | Colleges and universities | 81,100 |
| 5 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 3 | National security and international affairs | 132,000 |
| 3 | Insurance | 96,400 |
| 3 | Administration of human resources programs | 90,900 |
| 3 | Legal services | 119,000 |
| 2 | Hospitals | 92,200 |
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