Expected salaries for different positions

[Wozezeka]

I know many schools post their salary info online, but I'm curious what your expectations/experiences are. What would you anticipate the following agencies/positions to earn?

 

Policy Analyst

 

Researcher

 

Non-Profit field

 

Local Gov

 

State Gov

 

Federal position

 

Think Tank

 

Consultant

 

 

I am not sure which route I want to take. I am primarily interested in envrionmental policy but I also think that policy analysis would be interesting, profitable, and provide job security.

 

I am currently a teacher making 50K, so I am REALLY hoping to make at least 60K upon graduation. Money isn't a huge focus in my life, but I don't want to invest in school only to make what I made before. However, I am very excited about all the career opportunities and lifestyle changes that this degree (MPA - haven't picked a university yet!) will bring. (Yes teachers get summer, but we more than make up for it at other times and typically work on developing curriculum in the summer without pay!)

 

What path do you want to pursue and what do you hope to earn?

[thevillagersid]

Have you checked out glassdoor.com? You can search reported salaries by job title, organization, and location. 

[chelaylay]

There's a group that runs a nonprofit sector salary survey in the DC area every year, the results are always higher than I expect!

 

http://www.nonprofitstaffing.com/dc-area-salary-survey-report-for-2013-2014/

 

InsideNGO does a annual salary survey as well, but you can't see it if you're not a participating organization which is annoying...

[KenBesonders]

For federal position, you can simply look at the General Schedule pay scale. Most students with a bachelors likely enter into the G-5/G-7 area where those with a Masters or Law degree (or experience equivalent to the level) will start out at around a G-9 level.  

[RCtheSS]

NASPAA provided some information comparing salary ranges for different positions and sectors: http://www.naspaa.org/students/careers/salary.asp