by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Public Works Management involves the study of A Program Of Study That Focuses On Public Works Management Skills And Public Works Operation. Includes Instruction In Accountability, Budget, Conflict Resolution Strategies, Ethics, Finance, Human Resources, Labor And Employee Relations, And Operations Management. Read on to learn the key facts every public works management major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering public works management programs.
Nationwide, public works management is a widely-pursued major, with 24 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Public Works Management Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for public works management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of public works management programs later in this article.
Programs in Public Works Management develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations public works management graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a public works management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a public works management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several public works management degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 24 |
People currently working in careers related to public works management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 54.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 9.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.1% |
| Master’s degree | 7.1% |
| Some college courses | 5.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in public works management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in public works management opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to public works management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to public works management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Managers | 496,716 | -0.3% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | 107,541 | 10.1% |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | 105,398 | -1.9% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of public works management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $60,712 |
| 4 years | $65,901 |
| 5 years | $73,920 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for public works management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers public works management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Construction Managers | $83,791 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
With 1 different public works management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased public works management school rankings to help you.
Those considering public works management, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | 13,898 |
| Public Administration, Other | 53 |
| Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies | 18 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
