Public Administrator Job Description and Salary

More than 99 million Americans utilize housing assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and other federal aid programs, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported in 2023. However, federal programs are only one source of support for people in need. State, city, and county agencies and nonprofit organizations are all important parts of the social safety net.

No matter what services an agency provides, it needs to be staffed by a diverse team of compassionate professionals, including talented public administrators — the highly-trained public service professionals who are experts at empowering their organization and the communities they serve.

What Is a Public Administrator?

Public administrators are managers who oversee programs that serve the general public or a specific population. They typically work for the local, state, or federal government or a nonprofit organization, and they are supported by staff members including case managers, counselors, policy advocates, and researchers.

These administrators manage a wide variety of programs in areas such as the following:

• Public health and health care access
• Housing and homelessness
• Emergency management
• City and community planning
• Criminal justice, homeland security, and public safety
• Civil rights and social justice
• Mental health and substance use disorders
• Social services

In addition to managing specific programs for their organization, public administration professionals can be instrumental in shaping public policy at the community, state, or federal level.
 

Job Responsibilities: What a Public Administrator Does

Public administrators are often in charge of the day-to-day managerial tasks of their organization such as budgeting and personnel management. However, overseeing public service programs usually comes with additional unique duties.

Common job responsibilities for public administrators include the following:

• Evaluating current programs and policies
• Helping colleagues and community stakeholders develop new programs and policies
• Researching community or population needs
• Coordinating efforts between their organization and other agencies
• Seeking funding from private donors and writing grant proposals
• Writing press releases, speaking to the media, and maintaining community trust
• Advising legislators and other government officials on proposed public policy changes

Hard skills such as accounting and resource management are often vital to carrying out these duties, but public administrators also need to be able to communicate effectively, make ethical decisions, and lead diverse teams of professionals toward a common goal.
 

Different Types of Public Administrators and Their Duties

While many public administrators share similar duties, public administration is a diverse field. These professionals have a number of different roles, and each role comes with a unique set of responsibilities. Public administrator roles include the following:

Budget Analyst

Along with helping their organization allocate budgets and make economic projections, budget analysts in the public sector must also have a firm grasp of the financial transparency and ethics laws that govern how public funds are used and ensure their organization remains compliant with them.

Human Resources Manager or Analyst

Human resources managers are typically in charge of hiring new employees and helping current employees manage their compensation and benefits. They may also handle conflict resolution, manage employee records, and oversee training programs.

Program Manager

Whether they’re managing social service programs or public health education campaigns, program managers oversee the day-to-day operations of public service programs. This can include resource planning and coordinating with other departments and organizations.

Director

Director roles are some of the highest-level positions public administrators can hold. Directors set goals, devise strategies to meet them, and develop policies that match their organization’s mission and values. Some directors oversee their entire organization while others are in charge of a specific area such as economic development or public policy.
 

Steps to Become a Public Administrator

Because there are so many specialized roles in public administration, the field needs the talents of people from all backgrounds. However, many future administrators follow a similar path to prepare for their career.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Most public administrator jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree. Students who’ve already decided to go into public administration often pursue a degree in public administration or a related field such as public sector management. Programs for these degrees typically take four years to complete and include classes on topics such as organizational leadership, financial management, and other essential skills.

Step 2: Gain Experience in Entry-Level Positions

With a bachelor’s degree, new professionals can qualify for a number of support roles in public administration. Exact titles vary based on the employer, but entry-level professionals often help their colleagues conduct research, meet with clients and partners, and prepare reports. After a couple of years in these roles, many administrators move into midlevel management positions.

Step 3: Earn a Master’s Degree

Midcareer professionals often decide to earn a graduate degree to gain more advanced skills and broaden their career options. In public administration, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) is typically the degree of choice for high-level positions.

MPA programs offer classes on topics such as financial administration, program assessment, and resource development. Many programs also give students the option to specialize in a specific type of administration, such as nonprofit management or public sector administration. Full-time students can usually earn an MPA in two years.
 

Public Administrator Salary

According to Payscale, individuals with MPAs have a median annual salary of about $77,000 as of April 2024. Individual salaries vary based on the person’s job title and experience.

For example, Payscale reports that project managers with MPAs have a median annual salary of about $81,000, while the highest-paid managers make up to around $117,000. Meanwhile, executive directors with MPAs have a median salary of about $96,000. The top-earning directors make up to around $177,000.
 

Public Administrator Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects strong job growth for many public administrator positions.

For example, the BLS projects the following employment growth between 2022 and 2032:

• Public relations and fundraising manager: 6%
• Social and community service manager: 9%
• Medical and health service manager: 28%

These growth rates are faster than the 3% average rate projected for all occupations over the same time period. This indicates that public administrators in many different roles may be in high demand over the next decade.
 

Make Your Management Career Meaningful

Whether you’re new to the field of public administration or looking to advance your career, you have a wide range of educational paths to explore. The Master of Public Administration program at Tseng College at California State University, Northridge, can help you find one that’s right for you.

Tseng College’s MPA program features two specialized degree tracks. On the Nonprofit Sector Management track, students take classes on fundraising, stakeholder relations, and other sector-specific skills. Students who choose the Public Sector Management and Leadership track learn how to create, manage, and evaluate public sector initiatives of all kinds.

Designed with working students in mind, the Master of Public Administration program has options to complete coursework online, on campus, and through on-site employer cohort programs. Learn more about your MPA options today.