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Communications Majors’ Salary Over the Career
This figure shows median earnings by age for those who majored in Communications but have a bachelor’s degree only: “This Major (BA only)”, and those who majored in Communications but obtained a masters degree or higher: “This Major (Grad Degree)”. For reference, “All Majors (BA only)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a bachelor’s degree only, and “All Majors (Grad Degree)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a Master’s degree or higher.
This table highlights key outcomes for Communications majors, compared to averages for all college graduates.
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Top 10 Early-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Communications majors aged 25-35 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Communications majors aged 25-35 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Managers in Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations | 75,500 |
| 5 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 74,200 |
| 4 | Customer Service Representatives | 50,800 |
| 4 | Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Specialists | 69,300 |
| 4 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 60,000 |
| 3 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 45,400 |
| 3 | Other Business Operations and Management Specialists | 64,500 |
| 3 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing | 76,100 |
| 3 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 2 | Retail Salespersons | 45,100 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Communications majors aged 45-55 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Communications majors aged 45-55 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 6 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 107,000 |
| 5 | Managers in Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations | 124,000 |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 88,400 |
| 3 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing | 120,000 |
| 3 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 47,800 |
| 3 | Retail Salespersons | 44,200 |
| 2 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 177,000 |
| 2 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 44,100 |
| 2 | Customer Service Representatives | 54,000 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Master’s Degree or higher)
These are the top occupations for Communications majors aged 45-55 who have completed graduate work (Masters, PhD, Professional Degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Communications majors aged 45-55 with graduate degrees who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 76,400 |
| 7 | Lawyers, and judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers | 161,000 |
| 6 | Postsecondary Teachers | 82,600 |
| 6 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 130,000 |
| 5 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 5 | Education Administrators | 104,000 |
| 4 | Managers in Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations | 142,000 |
| 3 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 181,000 |
| 2 | Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Specialists | 111,000 |
| 2 | Counselors | 67,400 |
Top 10 Early-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Communications majors aged 25-35 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Communications majors aged 25-35 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Elementary and secondary schools | 54,400 |
| 4 | Colleges and universities | 54,800 |
| 4 | Advertising | 75,700 |
| 4 | Computer and data processing services | 82,600 |
| 4 | Eating and drinking places | 36,600 |
| 4 | Radio and television broadcasting and cable | 62,000 |
| 3 | Insurance | 63,400 |
| 3 | Management and public relations services | 68,900 |
| 3 | Real estate, including real estate-insurance offices | 61,000 |
| 2 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Communications majors aged 45-55 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Communications majors aged 45-55 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Elementary and secondary schools | 61,100 |
| 7 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 5 | Colleges and universities | 75,700 |
| 4 | Insurance | 98,200 |
| 3 | Computer and data processing services | 130,000 |
| 3 | Radio and television broadcasting and cable | 100,000 |
| 3 | Management and public relations services | 92,200 |
| 3 | Real estate, including real estate-insurance offices | 76,400 |
| 2 | Health services, n.e.c. | 61,800 |
| 2 | Advertising | 105,000 |
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