provided that employees sign a three-year
10
Top-Paying Careers
agreement with an agency. But aren’t all
those federal jobs a long way from Texas, in
Washington, D.C.? No way.
Occupation
Average Entry-Level Experienced
Wage Wage Wage
“Eighty-four percent of all federal jobs are economist $38.91 $22.27 $47.23
located outside the Washington area,” reports
administrative law judge and Hearing officer $34.90 $13.91 $45.39
McManus. “There are jobs all over the U.S. and
judge, magistrate judge, and magistrate $31.42 $10.87 $41.70
the world. In fact, Texas is one of the top states in
terms of concentration of federal employees.”
administrative services manager $31.42 $16.46 $38.89
Hazardous materials removal worker $27.35 $20.95 $30.56
Making a Difference Tax examiner, collector, and revenue agent $24.48 $13.75 $29.85
A great reason to pursue Government & Public
compliance officer, except agriculture, construction, Health and safety $23.68 $15.48 $27.77
Administration is the chance to improve lives.
urban and regional planner $22.66 $15.80 $26.10
“I find that a lot of students want to do
something that serves the greater good,” says
emergency management specialist $21.32 $12.29 $25.84
Matthew Upton, director of student services
postal service mail carrier $20.78 $16.81 $22.77
for the Bush School of Government and Public
This is a chart of hourly wages for 10 of the top-paying careers in the Government & Public Administration cluster in Texas. Note how entry-level
Service at Texas A&M University.
wages are often much lower than pay for the average worker and experienced workers in each profession. Source: Texas Workforce Commission.
“For example, I’ll hear students say, ‘I’m
interested in education and I want to help
change policies for the better.’ While the salaries at $24,980 for entry-level workers, with of public employment.
in Government & Public Administration are $60,776 possible for experienced employees. “If you look at these areas,” he says,
certainly decent, students often are looking for “Starting salary for students graduating “the demand is not much different than
more than just a paycheck.” with a master’s degree ranges from $35,000 in the private sector. The government
McManus agrees. “As an employee of the to $45,000 depending on work experience,” has to compete for the same talent as
government, you’re really making a difference in adds Upton. “Students with three years of other employers.”
the lives of Americans,” he says. work experience—those who worked while
in school—tend toward the $45,000 level.”
A Range of Pay
Because government hires people from almost Expanding Careers
every profession, salaries for Government & The government’s not going anywhere, so
Public Administration positions vary widely there will continue to be jobs available in
depending on occupation and experience. every field, but some are expanding more
The Texas Workforce Commission says the quickly than others.
average wage for substance abuse and behavioral McManus lists business functions
disorders counselors is $13.65 an hour, while the (especially accounting), security and
average social and community service manager protection, scientific research and
earns $20.60 an hour. For those interested in engineering, and medicine and public
volunteer service coordination, salaries begin health as some of the fastest-growing areas
Q
is government & Public Administration the right cluster for you?
U
Take this quiz to find out. Answer “yes” or “no” to the following questions.
I
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Do you like Do you like Do you have Do you pay Do you Does the Are you active Do you is job security have you
Z
to help people organizing a flawless attention to believe it’s idea of public in student take part important to ever done
with their and playing police the news important to service government? in student you? volunteer
problems? team sports? record? and current be honest? appeal to organizations work?
events? you? and clubs?
If you answered “yes” to five or more of the above questions, Government & P

ublic Administration may be the right cluster for you.
To get a more specific and scientific measurement of your attitudes and abilities, ask your guidance counselor or teacher about taking
a career assessment test or interest inventory.
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