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General Education Majors’ Salary Over the Career
This figure shows median earnings by age for those who majored in General Education but have a bachelor’s degree only: “This Major (BA only)”, and those who majored in General Education 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 General Education 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 General Education 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 General Education majors aged 25-35 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 50,900 |
| 8 | Secondary School Teachers | 52,700 |
| 7 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 4 | Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers | 41,300 |
| 2 | Special Education Teachers | 51,600 |
| 2 | Other Teachers and Instructors | 37,100 |
| 2 | Childcare Workers | 19,800 |
| 1 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 49,200 |
| 1 | Teacher Assistants | 26,300 |
| 1 | Retail Salespersons | 32,400 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for General Education 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 General Education majors aged 45-55 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 60,000 |
| 12 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 5 | Secondary School Teachers | 65,900 |
| 3 | Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers | 38,700 |
| 2 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 37,800 |
| 2 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 89,500 |
| 2 | Teacher Assistants | 25,000 |
| 2 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 55,300 |
| 2 | Special Education Teachers | 59,300 |
| 2 | Other Teachers and Instructors | 38,000 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Master’s Degree or higher)
These are the top occupations for General Education 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 General Education majors aged 45-55 with graduate degrees who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 78,700 |
| 10 | Education Administrators | 109,000 |
| 8 | Secondary School Teachers | 82,600 |
| 5 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 3 | Special Education Teachers | 73,700 |
| 3 | Counselors | 77,500 |
| 3 | Postsecondary Teachers | 79,400 |
| 2 | Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers | 64,500 |
| 2 | Other Teachers and Instructors | 57,600 |
| 1 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 99,800 |
Top 10 Early-Career Industries
These are the top industries for General Education majors aged 25-35 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of General Education majors aged 25-35 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 64 | Elementary and secondary schools | 55,600 |
| 5 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 3 | Child day care services | 29,900 |
| 3 | Colleges and universities | 53,700 |
| 2 | Educational services, n.e.c. | 42,100 |
| 2 | Eating and drinking places | 29,000 |
| 1 | Health services, n.e.c. | 49,500 |
| 1 | All construction | 39,800 |
| 1 | Hospitals | 54,800 |
| 1 | Social services, n.e.c. | 43,200 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Industries
These are the top industries for General Education majors aged 45-55 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of General Education majors aged 45-55 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | Elementary and secondary schools | 71,800 |
| 8 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 3 | Colleges and universities | 73,800 |
| 2 | Child day care services | 30,900 |
| 1 | Health services, n.e.c. | 44,100 |
| 1 | Hospitals | 68,900 |
| 1 | Educational services, n.e.c. | 46,100 |
| 1 | Eating and drinking places | 30,200 |
| 1 | All construction | 53,100 |
| 1 | Social services, n.e.c. | 50,800 |
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