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Job outlook for public policy professors in the United States
Are public policy professor jobs in demand?
Public policy professor job and salary trends over time
Public policy professor jobs over time
Public policy professor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 536 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 577 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 601 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 606 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 618 | 0.00% |
Average public policy professor salary over time
Public policy professor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $121,916 | $58.61 | --0.2% |
| 2024 | $122,158 | $58.73 | +3.1% |
| 2023 | $118,519 | $56.98 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $115,761 | $55.65 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $112,605 | $54.14 | +3.7% |
Public policy professor jobs by state
Most common states for public policy professors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 278 | 40% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 75 | 12% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 639 | 8% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 372 | 7% |
| 5 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 281 | 7% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 73 | 7% |
| 7 | Alaska | 739,795 | 49 | 7% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 185 | 6% |
| 9 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 116 | 6% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 109 | 6% |
| 11 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 60 | 6% |
| 12 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 55 | 6% |
| 13 | New York | 19,849,399 | 998 | 5% |
| 14 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 297 | 4% |
| 15 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 238 | 4% |
| 16 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 238 | 4% |
| 17 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 171 | 4% |
| 18 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 133 | 4% |
| 19 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 117 | 4% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 58 | 4% |
Most common cities for public policy professors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 10 | 1% | $162,880 |
| 2 | Cambridge | 1 | 1% | $149,221 |
| 3 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $130,565 |
Public Policy Professor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of public policy professor experts
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Ashford University
University of La Verne
University of Toledo
California State University
What general advice would you give to a Public Policy Professor?
Adam Butz Ph.D.: Thanks! We've found we get better responses over email than the phone because it gives you some time to think about it. We were hoping you could answer the following questions:
What Public Policy Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Adam Butz Ph.D.: Hi Alex, Your Zippia inquiry was directed to me by a colleague Dr. David Powell. I've recently taken over as Chair of the Public Policy & Administration Department. I could potentially provide you with necessary quotes/information about public administration careers. Please let me know exactly what you are looking for and the format for submission, etc.
What will help Public Policy Professors increase their earning potential?
Adam Butz Ph.D.: Thanks! We will be sure to feature your response in the article and send a draft over for your review before we promote it.
What general advice would you give to a Public Policy Professor?
Dr. Paula Holoviak Ph.D.: Social media skills are important along with grant writing, financial management (expertise in EXCEL) and land use planning. A course in GIS is a helpful addition to the toolbox along with familiarity with spreadsheets and SPSS.
What Public Policy Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Paula Holoviak Ph.D.: Starting salaries are already quite good even for those with no job experience which leads me back to my first statement. Get some experience through internship opportunities. Don't be afraid to start at the bottom (especially in state government) and work your way up through the system.
What will help Public Policy Professors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Paula Holoviak Ph.D.: Get an internship in the field especially if you have no work experience in government administration or nonprofit management. Most jobs ask for 3 to 5 years of experience.
What general advice would you give to a Public Policy Professor?
Craig Maher: Know your market. Know what others in similar positions are making. One of the beauties of the public sector is that financial information is publicly available. Use the information to help figure out salary comparisons.
What Public Policy Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Craig Maher: Public administration is a dynamic field and it covers a variety of professions in the public and nonprofit sectors. For graduates beginning their careers in this field, I strongly encourage them to build their network. Mentorship, support, learned practices, etc are critical for anyone beginning their career. This includes attending local/regional/national conferences, joining professional associations, and simply informally reaching out to peers who can help support and mentor you.
What will help Public Policy Professors increase their earning potential?
Craig Maher: In the field of PA where we focus on management, it is easy to say that there are certain skills that remain unchanged – human resource management, budgeting and financial management, leadership, policy analysis, etc. However, at a time when there is growing skepticism about government, the ability to resolve conflict and engage with the community is paramount. So, community engagement/facilitation skills are growing in importance. Furthermore, the ability to harness the ever-evolving field of artificial intelligence for policy analysis, data visualization, and community engagement will be important.
Fabio Lanza
ProfessorAshford University
History
What Public Policy Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Fabio Lanza: To put it bluntly, if you want to make money, this is really not the career for you.
Marcia Godwin Ph.D.
Professor of Public Administration, Master of Public Administration (MPA) DirectorUniversity of La Verne
College of Business and Public Management
What Public Policy Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Marcia Godwin Ph.D.: Adaptability, ethics, and respect for the public are ever-more important. These skills go hand-in-hand with the basics of customer service, analytical work, budgeting and grant management, and keeping up with technology. I have the most professional experience working in local government offices that interact with elected officials and the public. I would seek out applicants who could adapt to a wide variety of situations, were professional in working with others, and had a passion for public service.
What will help Public Policy Professors increase their earning potential?
Marcia Godwin Ph.D.: This is a great time to seek out a public service career. We have had a generational shift with the retirement of baby boomers, the emergence of new technology and work flexibility, and the ability to make a huge difference in local communities. I especially encourage students to look at the whole range of positions: city, county, state, federal, special districts, public health, and education. It is also important to consider your own preferred work environment, schedule, and style.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Public Policy Professors?
Dr. Jami Taylor: Yes, there tends to be a long-term effect to graduating in a recession. If you can find a job, there is a tendency to make less. Economic studies note that this low pay may persist for some people.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Public Policy Professors?
Dr. Jami Taylor: The MPA is a professional degree. You should focus your education toward courses that provide marketable skills. Fully engage with your budgeting class. Learn human resources management. Fundraising is certainly important if you are going into nonprofits.
What will help Public Policy Professors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jami Taylor: Do things that are needed that other people cannot do. Take advantage of incentives that your current employer may provide for additional training/education. Always remember that getting a job or a better offer is about what your bring to an employer and not what an employer can do for you. Develop yourself so that you have market options. Having an option to go elsewhere is a good way to increase your pay.
Sara McClellan
ProfessorCalifornia State University
Department of Public Policy & Administration
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Public Policy Professors?
Sara McClellan: I suspect graduates completing public policy and administration programs will experience significant employment uncertainty and instability for at least the next two to three years. Numerous public sector agencies have implemented hiring freezes, early retirement options, or other cost-cutting strategies to minimize COVID-related economic impacts. Many nonprofits also face an uncertain future in terms of funding sources. Nearly all organizations are working with tremendous uncertainty; public sector organizations like municipal government agencies are particularly uncertain about if, how, and when additional federal assistance might help to offset growing economic challenges.
Therefore, we are likely to see fewer full-time permanent hires in many areas of public sector work, including education and basic municipal services. However, essential service jobs related to public health and emergency services may remain strong options for graduates during and in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. Longer-term public sector job prospects will likely depend on a strong, coordinated national response to the coronavirus pandemic. The November elections will certainly shape government jobs in significant ways over the next several years.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Public Policy Professors to find work opportunities?
Sara McClellan: Graduates are likely to find more public sector job options in the areas of health care, technology, and emergency services over the next several years. In terms of geography, graduates will do better to search outgrowing rather than contracting regions and urban areas that typically offer a greater diversity of employment options. Graduates may also improve their longer-term job prospects by serving in temporary and part-time roles to gain experience and build their networks during this present period of uncertainty.
How do you envision technology impacting Public Policy Professors in the next 5 years?
Sara McClellan: If the next administration prioritizes closing connectivity gaps, we will likely see a variety of technology job options open up in the public sector. Beyond that, new technologies like self-driving vehicles and clean energy solutions will likely open up demand for innovation and regulatory roles that don't currently exist.