Government & Public Administration

Careers in the government and public administration cluster involve planning and performing government functions at local, state and federal levels, including governance, national security, foreign service, planning, revenue and taxation, and regulations.

A primary goal of virtually all careers in public service is to help improve the quality of life and livelihood for the citizens represented, while supporting the betterment of the overall community.

Would a career in government and public administration be a good fit for me?

People who work in public service, from workers in government offices to military service members and legislators, often feel drawn to the opportunity to make a positive difference in people's lives and to create a better society.

Here are some points to keep in mind:

1. Careers in this cluster may offer the opportunity to influence public policy and programs that affect many people's lives.
2. In general, people who work in government and public administration experience high job satisfaction.
3. Typically, 9-to-5 work schedules (without overtime), flexible schedules, and part-time opportunities are more common than in private sector jobs.
4. Elected positions require campaigning, public speaking, handling conflict, and maintaining voter support.
5. High-demand fields include government program eligibility interviewers, construction and building inspectors, license clerks, and revenue agents.

What are some careers in government and public administration?

In addition to many more familiar occupations, this cluster includes some unique career categories: military and elected officials. Military occupations vary tremendously; enlisted service members may operate equipment, conduct combat operations, or build airfields, bridges, and water purification systems. Officers typically enter the military with a bachelor's degree, and perform duties such as organizing operations, managing enlisted personnel and providing medical, legal, and technical services.

Elected officials are also included in this cluster; they create laws and oversee government operations at different levels. Typically, they have at least a bachelor's degree and a law degree, though most offices have no formal education requirements.

Explore the list below to learn about government and public administration careers at different levels of education. Click any link to find out more about a career, including typical tasks, average wages, employment projections, training requirements, and more.