What Is a Program Analyst in the Public Sector?

Finding a fulfilling career can bring significant personal satisfaction, and working in the public sector is a great way to realize that goal. When professional services firm Accenture surveyed 3,000 people working in public service around the world in 2022, an impressive 95% of respondents said they considered their work to be meaningful. 

Many roles in the public sector offer challenging and rewarding work, but becoming a program analyst in the public sector enables individuals to make lasting differences in the lives of others. Program analysts make significant contributions by identifying ways to ensure that government programs reach their full potential and maximize the use of public funds. 

Anyone who has an interest in pursuing a career in public sector management can benefit from learning about becoming a program analyst in the public sector, the requirements for the position, and what working in the role entails.
 

What Is a Program Analyst?

Individuals who work as program analysts review all types of programs to identify ways to improve those programs’ effectiveness and efficiency. 

Program analysts examine program performance and apply their expertise in areas such as quantitative analysis, management, policy, and budgeting to find opportunities to strengthen the programs they review. The results of their work typically include recommendations for improving program operations.

What Does a Program Analyst Do in the Public Sector?

When working in the public sector, program analysts focus on strengthening government programs at the local, state, and national levels. They can direct their efforts toward an individual problem in a government program or examine the effectiveness and efficiency of a program as a whole. The programs they examine can cover a wide range of topics, from health care to education to social services. 

Public sector program analysts’ responsibilities include the following: 

• Gathering information on program operations through examination of program records, policies, and procedures 
• Interviewing program management and staff 
• Analyzing program performance and financial data 
• Observing program operations in real time 
• Comparing program goals with program outcomes 
• Examining program organizational structures 
• Communicating with program stakeholders 
• Forming recommendations for improving program effectiveness and efficiency 
• Writing reports that summarize findings
   

Where Does a Program Analyst Work?

All kinds of government agencies hire program analysts to strengthen public sector programs. 

The following are just a few examples of potential federal employers for program analysts: 

• General Services Administration 
• U.S. Department of Defense 
• U.S. Department of Education 
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 
• U.S. Department of Justice 
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State and local government agencies also hire program analysts to examine many of their programs.
   

Public Sector Program Analyst Career Path

Becoming a public sector program analyst involves meeting certain requirements in education and experience. The steps on the career path for program analysts who work in the public sector are outlined below.

Step 1: Earn a Degree in a Relevant Discipline

Finding the right degree program is the first stop on the program analyst career path. Earning a degree in a subject such as public sector management, public administration, or economics can provide a strong foundation of knowledge and skills to prepare aspiring public sector program analysts. 

For example, completing a bachelor’s degree program in public sector management can equip an individual with expertise in a variety of areas that are useful in analyzing and evaluating public sector programs. Students in public sector management degree programs acquire knowledge and skills in areas such as the following: 

• Management and organizational behavior 
• Leadership 
• Human resource management 
• Public administration 
• Policy analysis 
• Policy implementation and program evaluation 
• Social science research 
• Social welfare institutions 
• Social legislation and policy

Step 2: Gain Experience in the Field

People who want to become program analysts in the public sector can benefit from acquiring experience related to analyzing and evaluating public programs. They can do this in various ways, such as the following: 

• Complete internships. Bachelor’s degree programs in public sector management typically offer students the opportunity to participate in internships. Students can apply what they’ve learned in school toward improving public programs, while gaining additional knowledge through real-world experience. 
• Volunteer expertise. Volunteering at a government agency or a nonprofit organization enables individuals to apply their program analysis and evaluation skills and gain experience that they can include on their resumes. 
• Shadow or assist a mentor working in the field. Connecting with a mentor already working as a program analyst can provide opportunities to shadow or provide assistance to someone working in the field.

Step 3: Enter the Workforce

After meeting education and experience requirements, individuals are ready for entry-level positions as program analysts. Organizations that hire individuals for entry-level positions will typically provide training on their policies, procedures, and approaches to program evaluation.

Step 4: Continue Progressing on the Program Analyst Career Path

Program analysts who want to advance on their career paths can consider enhancing their knowledge and skills to become qualified for higher-level roles by conducting tasks such as the following: 

• Earn certifications. For example, individuals can earn project management professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute or certified business analysis professional (CBAP) certification from the International Institute of Business Analysis. 
• Consider earning a graduate degree. Earning a master’s degree in a field such as public administration can help program analysts enhance their skills in the field and qualify for higher levels of responsibility. 

With experience and more advanced expertise, program analysts can move into positions such as the following: 

• Senior program analyst 
• Director of program analysis 
• Chief program officer
   

Program Analyst Salary and Job Growth Information

Salaries and employment prospects for program analysts are both attractive. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies program analysts as a subset of management analysts. The BLS reports the following for management analysts: 

• Median annual salary of $99,410 as of May 2023 
• Projected job growth of 10% between 2022 and 2032 (which exceeds the 3% growth projected across all occupations)
   

Becoming a Program Analyst in the Public Section Can Be a Rewarding Career Choice

In executing their responsibilities, program analysts who work in the public sector have the opportunity to improve government programs that strengthen our society. Program analysts get to conduct fulfilling work that strengthens the effectiveness and efficiency of public sector programs. 

Individuals who are interested in careers of this nature can explore the online Bachelor of Arts in Public Sector Management degree program offered by the Tseng College at California State University, Northridge, to learn how the program can help them achieve their goals. Designed for working adults who have 60 hours of transferable units, the 2.5-year program can set students on the path toward career advancement. Start enhancing your credentials in public sector management today.