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| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 171 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 175 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 182 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 180 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 179 | 0.00% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $62,531 | $30.06 | +2.5% |
| 2025 | $61,023 | $29.34 | +1.4% |
| 2024 | $60,185 | $28.94 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $59,415 | $28.56 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $58,510 | $28.13 | --0.6% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 136 | 20% |
| 2 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 256 | 4% |
| 3 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 21 | 4% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 262 | 3% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 235 | 3% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 133 | 3% |
| 7 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 82 | 3% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 25 | 3% |
| 9 | Vermont | 623,657 | 19 | 3% |
| 10 | California | 39,536,653 | 757 | 2% |
| 11 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 223 | 2% |
| 12 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 166 | 2% |
| 13 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 157 | 2% |
| 14 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 147 | 2% |
| 15 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 110 | 2% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 98 | 2% |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 21 | 2% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 20 | 2% |
| 19 | Alaska | 739,795 | 18 | 2% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 16 | 2% |
SUNY College at Oswego
Utah State University
Fairfield University
University of San Francisco
The University of the Arts
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Molloy College
Ursinus College
Saint Anselm College
Grand Valley State University
Indiana University Kokomo
University of Miami
California State University - Fullerton
American University
York College of Pennsylvania
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Terry Nugent: Graduates with a BA in English have more opportunities than ever before in the job market. While most think only about the degree as a stepping stone into K12 teaching or graduate school, the degree can also be a stepping stone into the corporate world. Large corporations need people who have experience writing complex texts, applying critical thinking and analytic abilities, and audience awareness when communicating with stakeholders at all levels of their industry. Industries that hire English majors include nonprofit organizations, government agencies, medical institutions, journalism, publishing, and entertainment. Basically, I would encourage a senior or new graduate to think outside the box—hone in on the industry you think you would be most interested in, think about the kind of work environment you are best suited for, and then look for entry-level positions with companies in that industry.
Dr. Terry Nugent: Maximizing your salary potential will largely be dependent on how well you have navigated your undergraduate opportunities. Participating in student organizations, internships, and electives such as music appreciation or theatre can open up unexpected opportunities or make you a good fit for local nonprofit organization. Taking advantage of traveling opportunities and study abroad will also broaden your opportunities. Finally, realizing that education is a life long endeavor and obtaining certifications will document added skills.
Nicole Walker: My main advice is to show potential employers how it's done!
Nicole Walker: English majors make it clear what's going on in other disciplines, in other sectors, in other businesses, and in government and politics. We are the great connectors between people and between ideas.
Soma Frazier: AI can do a lot of things writers do, and quickly. It's mastered the hard skills of writing, but it's not yet proficient in the soft skills: in short, it's not human. So, I think soft skills like applying context, nuance and audience awareness to the tone of written work will become evermore crucial.
Shane Graham: All the skills I mentioned above. Humanities degrees, and the kinds of thinking they encourage, will only become more important in the years to come. AI chatbots can only regurgitate and mimic thinking that already exists in the world; the well-trained human brain can create something new.
Fairfield University
Rhetoric And Composition/Writing Studies
Rachel Robinson-Zetzer PhD: People are scared of the blank page. Too often, they think that what they write needs to be perfect in its first iteration; however, that’s a myth and a romantic notion of the lone, solitary writer. In fact, much writing happens in collaboration with others, and people are either drawn to that environment, or they aren’t. Once people realize that writing is malleable, meaning it can be changed and revised again and again, that desire to seek perfection lessens, and Writers are more willing to kill their darlings.
Dean Rader: Well, writing, reading, and communication skills are always going to be vital. AI won't change that. In fact, the very things AI can't do yet is be human. And no major trains people better to interact with humans than English. Right now, video game manufacturers need writers, tech companies need editors, Websites need copywriters. But, every field can use an English major. Every field needs people with vision and ideas. The world needs people with clarity, who can articulate ideas, and who can make connections. That defines an English major.
Michael Pennell: Find or develop your niche and consider your strengths and weaknesses. What can or do you do that others don't or can't? Why and what would someone ask your advice on or for your input on a question or concern? What is your expertise? Embark on your career with a 5- and 10-year goal or lifestyle in sight. How does this job or career help you target that lifestyle? What skills or experience do you need, and can you get those from the current job? Also, network, both with those inside and outside of your specific field. Generally, breaking through the barrier to your first job may be the toughest stage; after that, more opportunities will appear, especially if you consider how that first job can position you for next move.
Michael Pennell: Gain experience while in college, through internships, coursework, service, etc. Find your niche and differentiate yourself from others in the field. Consider how a specific minor or certificate may give you an edge. For example, a certificate or minor in professional and technical writing can enhance a candidate's appeal to employers, as well as maximize salary potential. Adding an internship and other 'real world' experience on top of that minor or certificate further maximizes one's earning potential. Develop a strong portfolio! Finally, networking may also maximize salary potential—do people know you and do they see you as an asset for their company or organization? Much of this advice applies equally to those pursuing freelance and contract work, as well.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
English Language And Literature
Liam Callanan: Be the best writer on the team. And avoid multiple exclamation points!!! Better yet, avoid them altogether. Better to be your own singular exclamation point.
Liam Callanan: Writing, writing, writing. And in whole sentences. Not like these. Communication will be key in every field, and people who are trained to be critical thinkers, who practice good listening, who write clearly, concisely, and thoughtfully, will be highly valued.
Liam Callanan: Read. Read everything, including, especially, things on paper—books, magazines, newspapers. Paper-based reading exercises your focus muscles and broadens your mind.
Prof. Laura Betz PhD: Please use the skills I mentioned in my bolded quote as my answer for this question.
Prof. Laura Betz PhD: Any graduate beginning a career should feel very confident in the skills of critical thinking, writing, and public speaking that the English major has provided, and should be bold in putting those skills to work in many different professional contexts.
Katherine Kim Ph.D: -Again, it depends on the field, as jobs that center on skills you learn by being an English major vary widely. If it is jobs in teaching and studying English language and literature, then being open to interdisciplinary work and the digital humanities/new media will continue to be important. Studying English already requires a certain level of interdisciplinary work, and technology keeps adding to the ways people interact and circulate ideas. In addition, learning how to communicate clearly and understand/interpret what others communicate will always be vital. Given the divisiveness that exists in this world, understanding different perspectives and being able to communicate well with those who hold those perspectives will continue to be important in the field and beyond it.
Katherine Kim Ph.D: -You should have your application documents polished and organized. In addition, students can take advantage of opportunities to highlight themselves while still in school. For instance, getting published in a school literary magazine, heading a school-sponsored literature club or author event, or working for a school (or outside) publication can show your skills and interests before you even apply for full-time positions. Also, part of the situation deals with striking a balance between how you want to be desired by the person doing the hiring and how you want to show desire for the position. While you want to cast a wide net sometimes when looking for jobs, you also want to put in that extra effort with the applications for jobs that would be really great fits. If the hiring person and you both see how well you would fit in the position, that can help make the case for trying to secure you for the job!
Katherine Kim Ph.D: -I think it depends on what field you are discussing, as 'English' doesn't necessarily need to be seen as a field (unless you are speaking of teaching or studying English language or literature). However, I can say that the great thing about an English degree is that it can be beneficial for people to have in a variety of fields. In fact, for quite a few years now, people in fields like business have been wanting new hires with better communication, writing, interpersonal interaction, and close analysis skills, as well as mental flexibility, than they have been seeing. These are all skills that can be practiced and honed through being an English major! Sometimes people think of English degrees as useful only if someone is going to teach English, but that is definitely not the case!
Ursinus College
English Language And Literature
Jay Shelat: Remember that your major in college does not guarantee you a job. Instead, the skills you've learned in your time as an English major will. You're an expert in writing and analysis for any job. Use that to your advantage to understand how places run, what tasks you need to complete, and why they matter.
Jay Shelat: The skills that will be important in the next three to five years are literacy, writing, and analysis. These are helpful skills for whichever job you might have.
Jay Shelat: Learn to negotiate for a higher salary!
Saint Anselm College
English Language And Literature
Dr. Joshua Potter: The best way to maximize your potential growth, both in terms of salary and long-term fulfillment, is to find a line of work that meets your interests and inspirations. This will catalyze creativity, unlock new skills and unforeseen directions through the broader economy. We are living in times of incredible change and transition; the path that is currently visible may be gone tomorrow; being prepared to make orthogonal moves when opportunities open and close is imperative for any line of work. English majors, however, are especially well prepared to do this.
Dr. Joshua Potter: Follow your passion, use your intuition, and be creative. A humanistic education, especially within the discipline of English, prepares you to be a clear communicator, critical thinker, empathic builder of relationships, and creative wayfinder through shifting cultural landscapes. It is imperative to stay nimble, assert oneself into social institutions and fields of work that stoke one’s inspiration, and be prepared to help build fields and institutions that don’t yet exist.
Grand Valley State University
Rhetoric And Composition/Writing Studies
Laurence José PhD: The easy answer here is writers write. But admittingly this can mean different things since writing takes different forms and involves different tasks. At the minimum, writing requires reading, brainstorming, drafting, and editing. But it can also require tasks such as conducting field research, analyzing data and documents, providing and receiving feedback, conducting interviews, tailoring content to different media, etc. In other words, what a writer does on a day-to-day basis is highly dependent on the genre(s) in which they write and the context in which they work. Whether one identifies as a creative writer, business writer, or technical writer, a writer creates and shapes meanings that must appeal to a specific audience in a specific context.
Laurence José PhD: Writing enables us to understand and act on the world around us. In this way, Writer has always been an important profession. But today, the information overload that comes with the digital age amplifies the need for people with skills to make content relevant and accessible for different audiences. This includes writing for social media contexts, crafting stories for a blog or news website, translating a text-based document into an infographic, writing a podcast script, designing slides for a presentation, or synthesizing research findings via a report for decision makers. These skills are relevant in different job sectors. In many ways, the rise of generative AI and the spread of misinformation makes the need for writers and information literacy skills even more prominent.
Laurence José PhD: Among the likes, I’d say the creative aspect of writing. As a writer, you get to create stories to inspire readers. This can range from convincing an audience to browse a website or give money for a specific cause, to inspiring an audience to rethink their approach to a specific subject. Being a writer also means constant learning, whether it is learning about new topics, interacting with different people, and working with new technologies and modes of meanings. Some of the likes can easily become dislikes too. If one does not like research or is not able to handle negative feedback, then, Writer may not be the right profession for them. Also, writing is hard. It takes time. It requires focus, planning, and the ability to create a space free of distractions. Finally, at a time when technology can generate content in a few seconds, being a writer can also mean having to reassert the value of writing and its significance. This too can be difficult.
Jim Coby: I think that there's a tendency for recent graduates, regardless of their major, to undervalue their skillsets and abilities. Be confident! You weren't simply given a degree; you earned your degree, and you did so by developing and employing a number of significant skills. In the case of English majors, you're a creative thinker who works well with others, can perform research and assess the validity of sources; you can connect disparate ideas by seeking out common grounds, and you can craft thoughtful and robust arguments by synthesizing large amounts of information. On top of all of that, you've become skilled in presenting your ideas in accessible, cogent arguments. If you had an internship or worked during your time in college, you can absolutely leverage those experiences on your resume. But even if you didn't, your classroom experience provided you with invaluable skills. Think back on those formative classroom experiences and be prepared to use them to buttress your answers in an interviewing setting. The more evidence you can provide of your expertise, the stronger a chance you have at securing a lucrative and fulfilling job.
Jim Coby: A degree in English does not necessarily provide you with a 1 to 1 employment opportunity. Unlike, say, engineering students, who will most likely move into engineering as an occupation, English majors do not necessarily end up English teachers. Many do, but most don't. Instead, it's useful to think of your employment search more broadly. If you've taken a number of classes in literary studies, then you're likely skilled in locating several points of evidence and making strong arguments with that evidence. You're going to be taking those skills in order to make a case for yourself. Think on the skills you've gained over the years, how you developed those skills, examples of time when you employed those skills, and ways you can improve those skills. Considering yourself as a fully fleshed out "round" character (akin to those you've read so much about) in your own storyline may well help you to conceive of novel and interesting employment opportunities.
Jaswinder Bolina Ph.D., M.F.A.: Salary follows success. If you invest yourself deeply and fully into whatever sector you find yourself in, whatever postgraduate degree you decide to pursue, you will become the kind of rare and original thinker the world needs and that employers reward. Be yourself and pursue your passions, and if you’re stuck in a job that doesn’t match those passions, then figure out a way to bring them into that space. Or find someplace else to work. We don’t always have the luxury of the latter option, but we do always have a chance to bring what we love to whatever it is we happen to be doing, whether writing our own novels and poems, working on PowerPoint presentations and white papers, or slinging coffee or cocktails. Your job isn’t you, so shape your job to fit the person you really are and the person you hope to be.
Irena Praitis: Always ask for the top of the salary range offered. Stress that the skills you bring will strengthen and grow as you learn and adapt to a particular organization's work environment.
Chelsea Horne Ph.D.: Use and develop the skills you have already gained during your degree. And be on the lookout for opportunities to continue expanding your skill toolkit, such as professional development workshops, certificates, and graduate programs (like the innovative MA in Literature, Culture, and Technology we offer at American University), where you can further hone expertise that can make you stand out. We are at a moment full of potential; maintaining flexibility and supporting the expansion of your skillsets can help you maximize your position.
Chelsea Horne Ph.D.: It is important to remember that even if this moment feels daunting and uncertain, you are at a very exciting stage of your life and career. Think about all your options and possibilities and focus on where and how you want to contribute to the world through your writing and profession. As you step into your career, consider building your network: at your workplace, with alumni groups, and with industry professionals. A strong network can offer opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, development, and more.
Dr. Gabriel Cutrufello: *With the increasing use of AI in everyday life, one of the most important skills for new graduates to learn is interacting successfully with AI (depending on their specific career/organization's expectations). Closely related to that, editing skills (both developmental and line editing) will be the most important to hone. AI is adept at generating first-draft materials (when prompted successfully), but the content needs development to meet standards of accuracy and readability. After those skills, the soft skill of adaptability is paramount. The ability to continue to learn and adapt will serve future writers well.*
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Criminal Justice And Corrections
Dr. Arthur Garrison LP.D.: Have integrity. Be open to learn. Work to be the best You and let time let people know you have talent. Your talents will make room for you and you will grow into your talents and abilities. Money comes after ability not before.
Dr. Arthur Garrison LP.D.: In CJ, writing skills and the ability to work with people and the ability to learn new things.
Gabriel Aguilar PhD: In my field, generative AI will become the most important research area. Scholars and students are both excited and concerned about the possibilities of AI, and there is much research to do. I would recommend two recent special issues on generative AI from the journals Computers & Composition and the Journal of Business and Technical Communication (JBTC). The research there is great.
Gabriel Aguilar PhD: Department chairs will be the first to tell you in a job interview that salary compression is a real thing when making new hires. The starting salary for an Assistant Professor might eclipse the current salary of tenured Associate Professors, but that's just how the market is. I would recommend that candidates to have multiple offers before negotiating a contract. You may be able to bump the salary up a bit which is great because raises and retirement contributions are calculated from percentages from base salary. If a candidate can't and doesn't have multiple offers, then I recommend looking at other non-salary negotiations such as startup funds, course releases, and moving funds.