PlanexAI

Law & Public

What Can You Do With a Public Administration Degree?

Manage the public sector: budgets, policy, and programs that serve communities. We track 9 careers that a Public Administration degree commonly leads to, with median pay from $59,280 to $114,130 depending on the role and how far you take it.

How these numbers work: A major does not have its own salary. The pay above comes from the 9 careers below that a Public Administration degree commonly leads to, using each one's national median wage from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Entry-level roles sit toward the bottom of that range and advanced or graduate-level roles toward the top, so where you land depends on the specific career and any further education. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).

Careers this major leads to

Administrative Services Manager$114,130 median · Faster than averageSchool Principal (K-12 Administrator)$105,870 median · About averageCollege Administrator (Postsecondary)$104,590 median · Slower than averageEmergency Management Director$93,330 median · About averageBudget Analyst$91,640 median · Slower than averageCommunity Services Manager$80,390 median · Faster than averageCriminal Justice / Law Enforcement$76,210 median · About averageFundraiser$72,550 median · About averageFirefighter$59,280 median · About average

Related majors

Political ScienceCriminal JusticeLegal Studies

Frequently asked questions

What can you do with a Public Administration degree?

A Public Administration degree commonly leads to 9 careers we track, including Administrative Services Manager, School Principal (K-12 Administrator), and College Administrator (Postsecondary). Median pay across those roles runs from $59,280 to $114,130 a year (BLS).

How much do Public Administration majors make?

A major does not have its own salary. The 9 careers a Public Administration degree leads to have national median wages from $59,280 to $114,130 a year (BLS). Entry-level roles sit toward the bottom of that range and senior or graduate-level roles toward the top.

What jobs can a Public Administration major get?

Common roles include Administrative Services Manager, School Principal (K-12 Administrator), College Administrator (Postsecondary), and Emergency Management Director. Administrative Services Manager is among the higher-paying, at $114,130 median.

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Salary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.