Program Evaluation Specialist
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Define evaluation goals and success measures with program stakeholders
- Create evaluation plans and timelines for programs and projects
- Develop data collection tools such as surveys and interview guides
- Manage data collection using ethical and privacy aware practices
- Analyze quantitative data to track progress and outcomes
- Analyze qualitative data to understand experiences and drivers of change
- Translate findings into practical recommendations for program improvement
- Build reports and presentations for leadership, funders, and community partners
- Support continuous improvement by monitoring actions taken after findings
- Document methods so results are credible and repeatable
Top Skills for Success
Evaluation Design
Measurement Strategy
Survey Design
Interviewing
Facilitation
Quantitative Analysis
Qualitative Analysis
Data Visualization
Report Writing
Stakeholder Management
Project Management
Research Ethics
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Senior Program Evaluation Specialist
Evaluation Manager
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
Learning and Development Specialist
Research Associate
Quality Improvement Analyst
Transition Opportunities
Director of Evaluation
Director of Programs
Impact and Learning Lead
Data Insights Manager
Public Policy Analyst
Grants and Compliance Manager
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Advanced Statistical MethodsMixed Methods ResearchData ManagementData PrivacySampling StrategyCost Effectiveness AnalysisOutcome MeasurementDashboard Development
Development SuggestionsBuild one complete evaluation portfolio piece, including an evaluation plan, data collection tools, analysis, and a short findings report. Strengthen analysis skills with a focused statistics course and practice with real program datasets. Improve communication by creating a one page summary template for nontechnical audiences.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 55,000 to 75,000
Mid LevelUSD 75,000 to 100,000
Senior LevelUSD 100,000 to 135,000
Growth Trend
Steady demand, driven by funding accountability, public sector reporting needs, healthcare quality improvement, and nonprofit outcomes measurement.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
Local and state government agenciesFederal agenciesHospitals and health systemsUniversities and research centersNonprofit organizationsFoundationsInternational development organizationsConsulting firms focused on public sector work
Industry Sectors
Public HealthEducationSocial ServicesWorkforce DevelopmentInternational DevelopmentHealthcarePublic PolicyPhilanthropy
Recommended Next Steps
1
Create a sample evaluation plan for a program you know well2
Develop a survey and an interview guide aligned to program outcomes3
Practice analysis using a public dataset and publish a short insights brief4
Build a simple dashboard that tracks key program measures over time5
Collect two writing samples such as a findings memo and a slide deck6
Seek a project role on an evaluation team through a nonprofit or university partner7
Prepare interview stories that show how your findings changed decisions