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Humanities Majors’ Salary Over the Career
This figure shows median earnings by age for those who majored in Humanities but have a bachelor’s degree only: “This Major (BA only)”, and those who majored in Humanities 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 Humanities 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 Humanities 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 Humanities majors aged 25-35 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 4 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 50,100 |
| 4 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 55,400 |
| 3 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 61,800 |
| 3 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 48,200 |
| 3 | Managers in Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations | 61,400 |
| 2 | Customer Service Representatives | 39,100 |
| 2 | Retail Salespersons | 26,200 |
| 2 | Computer Scientists and Systems Analysts/Network systems Analysts/Web Developers | 54,300 |
| 2 | Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Specialists | 53,400 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Humanities 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 Humanities majors aged 45-55 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 5 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 124,000 |
| 4 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 53,400 |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 53,200 |
| 3 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 40,800 |
| 2 | Food Service and Lodging Managers | 68,000 |
| 2 | Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Specialists | 91,400 |
| 2 | Retail Salespersons | 14,700 |
| 2 | Editors, News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents | 73,300 |
| 2 | Teacher Assistants | 11,800 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Master’s Degree or higher)
These are the top occupations for Humanities 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 Humanities majors aged 45-55 with graduate degrees who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Postsecondary Teachers | 92,300 |
| 10 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 73,300 |
| 6 | Lawyers, and judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers | 212,000 |
| 5 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 4 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 117,000 |
| 3 | Clergy | 63,000 |
| 3 | Counselors | 72,500 |
| 3 | Secondary School Teachers | 86,800 |
| 3 | Education Administrators | 155,000 |
| 3 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 240,000 |
Top 10 Early-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Humanities majors aged 25-35 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Humanities majors aged 25-35 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Elementary and secondary schools | 54,000 |
| 7 | Colleges and universities | 43,300 |
| 5 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 4 | Eating and drinking places | 27,500 |
| 3 | Health services, n.e.c. | 53,700 |
| 3 | Legal services | 49,500 |
| 3 | Computer and data processing services | 58,400 |
| 2 | Membership organizations, n.e.c. | 57,000 |
| 2 | Hospitals | 73,500 |
| 2 | All construction | 38,200 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Humanities majors aged 45-55 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Humanities majors aged 45-55 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Elementary and secondary schools | 63,500 |
| 9 | Colleges and universities | 88,200 |
| 7 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 3 | Real estate, including real estate-insurance offices | 76,800 |
| 3 | Health services, n.e.c. | 55,000 |
| 3 | Hospitals | 68,400 |
| 2 | Computer and data processing services | 150,000 |
| 2 | Management and public relations services | 91,800 |
| 2 | Eating and drinking places | 29,400 |
| 2 | Legal services | 142,000 |
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