Back to Majors Explorer
Liberal Arts Majors’ Salary Over the Career
This figure shows median earnings by age for those who majored in Liberal Arts but have a bachelor’s degree only: “This Major (BA only)”, and those who majored in Liberal Arts 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 Liberal Arts majors, compared to averages for all college graduates.
Back to Majors Explorer
Top 10 Early-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Liberal Arts 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 Liberal Arts majors aged 25-35 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 50,800 |
| 6 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 4 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 53,400 |
| 3 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 60,800 |
| 3 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 36,800 |
| 2 | Retail Salespersons | 33,900 |
| 2 | Customer Service Representatives | 38,100 |
| 2 | Waiters and Waitresses | 29,500 |
| 2 | Designers | 53,400 |
| 2 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing | 61,900 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Liberal Arts 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 Liberal Arts majors aged 45-55 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 7 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 67,200 |
| 5 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 104,000 |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 71,600 |
| 3 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 48,900 |
| 2 | Retail Salespersons | 39,500 |
| 2 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing | 103,000 |
| 2 | Customer Service Representatives | 45,700 |
| 2 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 145,000 |
| 1 | Teacher Assistants | 23,900 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Master’s Degree or higher)
These are the top occupations for Liberal Arts 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 Liberal Arts majors aged 45-55 with graduate degrees who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 92,200 |
| 7 | Lawyers, and judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers | 152,000 |
| 5 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 5 | Education Administrators | 124,000 |
| 4 | Postsecondary Teachers | 76,800 |
| 4 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 140,000 |
| 3 | Secondary School Teachers | 80,000 |
| 2 | Counselors | 73,300 |
| 2 | Physicians and Surgeons | 305,000 |
| 2 | Clergy | 57,900 |
Top 10 Early-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Liberal Arts majors aged 25-35 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Liberal Arts majors aged 25-35 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Elementary and secondary schools | 54,300 |
| 6 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 4 | Eating and drinking places | 31,600 |
| 3 | Colleges and universities | 46,500 |
| 3 | Hospitals | 60,100 |
| 2 | Health services, n.e.c. | 52,000 |
| 2 | Insurance | 61,100 |
| 2 | Computer and data processing services | 75,600 |
| 2 | Child day care services | 25,100 |
| 2 | All construction | 52,700 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Liberal Arts majors aged 45-55 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Liberal Arts majors aged 45-55 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Elementary and secondary schools | 77,400 |
| 9 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 4 | Colleges and universities | 68,500 |
| 3 | Hospitals | 77,400 |
| 3 | Insurance | 90,700 |
| 3 | Real estate, including real estate-insurance offices | 63,000 |
| 2 | Health services, n.e.c. | 66,800 |
| 2 | Justice, public order, and safety | 95,700 |
| 2 | Computer and data processing services | 115,000 |
| 2 | Legal services | 112,000 |
Back to Majors Explorer
