Program Evaluation Specialist

Career Guide

A Program Evaluation Specialist measures how well programs are working, why results are happening, and how to improve outcomes. They design evaluation plans, collect and analyze data, and share clear findings with leaders, funders, and program teams.

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Key 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

Create a sample evaluation plan for a program you know well

Develop a survey and an interview guide aligned to program outcomes

Practice analysis using a public dataset and publish a short insights brief

Build a simple dashboard that tracks key program measures over time

Collect two writing samples such as a findings memo and a slide deck

Seek a project role on an evaluation team through a nonprofit or university partner

Prepare interview stories that show how your findings changed decisions