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Public Policy Majors’ Salary Over the Career
This figure shows median earnings by age for those who majored in Public Policy but have a bachelor’s degree only: “This Major (BA only)”, and those who majored in Public Policy 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 Policy 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 Policy 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 Policy majors aged 25-35 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 90,700 |
| 4 | Management Analysts | 96,400 |
| 4 | Customer Service Representatives | 53,400 |
| 3 | Managers in Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations | 75,600 |
| 3 | Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Specialists | 58,000 |
| 3 | Social Workers | 36,700 |
| 3 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 40,700 |
| 2 | Computer Scientists and Systems Analysts/Network systems Analysts/Web Developers | 75,600 |
| 2 | General and Operations Managers | 77,000 |
| 2 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 89,000 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Public Policy 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 Policy majors aged 45-55 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 9 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 147,000 |
| 5 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 261,000 |
| 4 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 80,100 |
| 3 | Retail Salespersons | 48,000 |
| 3 | Accountants and Auditors | 47,700 |
| 2 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 38,700 |
| 2 | Sales Representatives, Services, All Other | 86,700 |
| 2 | First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 68,000 |
| 2 | Management Analysts | 62,400 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Master’s Degree or higher)
These are the top occupations for Public Policy 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 Policy majors aged 45-55 with graduate degrees who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Lawyers, and judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers | 198,000 |
| 9 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 177,000 |
| 5 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 5 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 305,000 |
| 5 | Management Analysts | 113,000 |
| 4 | Postsecondary Teachers | 130,000 |
| 3 | Social and Community Service Managers | 117,000 |
| 3 | Education Administrators | 99,800 |
| 2 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 68,900 |
| 2 | Counselors | 38,300 |
Top 10 Early-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Public Policy majors aged 25-35 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Public Policy majors aged 25-35 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Legal services | 127,000 |
| 7 | Management and public relations services | 96,700 |
| 6 | Membership organizations, n.e.c. | 79,000 |
| 5 | Elementary and secondary schools | 71,100 |
| 4 | Security, commodity brokerage, and investment companies | 145,000 |
| 4 | General government, n.e.c. | 80,000 |
| 4 | Computer and data processing services | 98,400 |
| 4 | Colleges and universities | 62,400 |
| 4 | Social services, n.e.c. | 50,100 |
| 3 | Justice, public order, and safety | 85,500 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Public Policy majors aged 45-55 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Public Policy majors aged 45-55 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 6 | Elementary and secondary schools | 68,900 |
| 6 | Legal services | 167,000 |
| 6 | Management and public relations services | 92,200 |
| 5 | Colleges and universities | 119,000 |
| 5 | General government, n.e.c. | 145,000 |
| 4 | Membership organizations, n.e.c. | 150,000 |
| 3 | Justice, public order, and safety | 109,000 |
| 3 | Computer and data processing services | 188,000 |
| 3 | Security, commodity brokerage, and investment companies | 263,000 |
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