Despite the strength and frequency of these themes in the public administration literature, empirical research about public service motivation is almost nonexistent (Rainey 1982). The purpose of this study is to begin closing the gap between assertion and empirical research. It reports initial steps to develop a public service motivation scale that could be used for systematic research. First, I discuss the theoretical dimensions of public service motivation identified in the public administration literature. I then review the procedures that were used for translating the theoretical dimensions into a scale. The scale's reliability and validity were assessed with survey data from 376 respondents using confirmatory factor analysis. I conclude the study with a discussion of the validity of the theoretical construct and future steps to refine the scale