Graduates of Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs have the opportunity to make an impact in numerous career fields across a variety of sectors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), careers in administration can include nonprofit management, government work, administrative jobs and various careers in the private sector. But this only scratches the surface as careers in outlying fields may also be available to MPA degree holders.

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Earn an EMPA online from Syracuse University's Maxwell School

Syracuse’s online MPA for Executives program prepares mid-career professionals for leadership and management roles in public service. The program can be completed in as few as 15 months. No GRE required.

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Online MPA from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government

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The question of what can you do with a public administration degree is difficult to answer because a master’s in public administration can prepare you for so many different careers. The MPA is a graduate-level degree in the study of implementing government policies. Because such policies touch on nearly every facet of society, there are many sectors that a Master of Public Administration (MPA) can equip you to enter besides government such as nonprofits, education, healthcare or the private sector, as per the specializations recognized by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration. So the question really is what do you want to do with an MPA? Which industries, roles and benefits most attract you?

Some components to consider in choosing a career path within public administration are interest areas, salary, job availability and potential for upward mobility.

These areas will differ from:

To provide you with a look at the career options available for MPA graduates, Teach.com has compiled an outline of some of the sectors you can enter as well as examples of MPA careers within those sectors.

The most straightforward description of a public administrator role is an administrative services and facilities manager, which involves planning, directing and coordinating activities that help an organization run efficiently, as per the BLS. The organization could be in the healthcare, education, professional, government or financial sectors. That said, a Master in Public Administration may prepare graduates for roles in government other than public administrator, such as compensation and benefits manager, political scientist or urban and regional planner, according to the specializations recognized by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration. In fact, MPA program specializations may allow students to apply the essential skills of a public administrator to sectors outside of government like nonprofits, education, healthcare or even the private sector.

Learn more about how to become a public administrator.

Is an MPA worth it? First, remember that a Master of Public Administration degree does not necessarily prepare graduates for only one career. One job for an MPA graduate is public administrator, sometimes known as an administrative services manager, which drew a median annual salary of $96,940 in 2019, according to the BLS. But an MPA may also prepare you for a career as a compensation and benefits manager, whom the BLS estimates earns a median annual salary of $122,270 — or an occupation outside of government altogether, such as an executive, earning $104,690 annually, according to the BLS median salary.

Salaries in the field of public administration, similarly to most other occupations, vary widely based on what subsect of the field you choose to enter and your years of experience in the profession. For example, entry-level salaries in the nonprofit field might not compare with the entry-level salaries for consulting firms, and a seasoned professional working for a government agency will make more than a recent graduate at that same agency. It may be important to enter into an MPA career with the right mentality about the salary outlook the field holds.

Two more factors to consider in determining your career outlook and salary potential are geographic location and level of education. Locations that cover large metropolitan areas and have higher populations, such as New York City and Washington, D.C., will likely offer higher salaries than small towns and cities, but it’s important to keep in mind that cost of living will also be higher in these areas. Finally, there is an income disparity based on the highest degree one has earned in their chosen field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, in 2019, the average master’s degree holder earned $249 more per week than their bachelor’s degree counterparts. It’s important to note that this is across all career fields—and in many areas, the wage premium is much higher. Education administrators, for example, may make more money after earning a master’s degree.

Learn more about why you should earn an MPA degree.

The master’s in public administration salary outlook is complicated by the particular careers that MPA graduates choose to pursue. The median salary for an administrative services manager, for example, is $96,940 per year, according to the BLS. The BLS estimates that the median salary for management analysts, on the other hand, is $85,260 annually. Industry, role and experience all influence MPA salaries. For more information about MPA salaries for particular occupations, please see below.

As with master’s in public administration salaries, MPA careers and job outlook are complicated by the specific roles that graduates choose to fill. Demand for MPA graduates varies by title. Two examples are an administrative services manager, which is projected at 6% from 2019 to 2029, and a management analyst, which is projected to grow 11% during the same period, according to the BLS. Regardless of the particulars, MPA jobs could see relative professional stability with master’s degree holders facing unemployment rates of just 2%, as per a BLS report.

The jobs that you can get with a Master’s in Public Administration vary according to industry, specialization, and interest. According to the specializations recognized by the Network of School of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration, MPA graduates can study to work in diverse sectors, such as nonprofits, government, education, healthcare or the private sector. Prior education and professional experience combined with elective MPA coursework can further specialize your employment in emergency management, the natural sciences, construction or other fields, as per the specializations recognized by the Network of School of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration. Ultimately, your particular interests might dictate the job you get with your master’s in public administration. Well-paying careers for MPA graduates could include:

The top cities where MPA jobs are in demand differ according to the particular profession. In the most straightforward sense, the demand for MPAs could be considered highest in the metropolitan areas employing administrative services and facilities managers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that would include the cities listed below. But keep in mind that an MPA degree may qualify graduates for many other positions, which may be in greater demand elsewhere.

The top states where public administration related jobs are in demand will vary according to the particular job being considered. Taking public administration jobs in a general sense, the states where administrative services and facilities managers are most in demand are listed below, as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That said, public administration jobs can come in many other forms, and employment in those careers may be greater elsewhere. Demand for public administration jobs can also vary from one part of a state to another.

Frequently asked questions about Master of Public Administration careers abound. Below, we answer some common questions regarding MPAs, such as how much the degree program costs, whether it pays better than a Master of Business Administration, how online MPA programs can be reviewed and more.

Last Updated January 2021