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| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 571 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 586 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 614 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 606 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 605 | 0.00% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $52,440 | $25.21 | +2.1% |
| 2025 | $51,347 | $24.69 | +2.5% |
| 2024 | $50,108 | $24.09 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $49,187 | $23.65 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $48,017 | $23.08 | +1.7% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 119 | 17% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 193 | 14% |
| 3 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 388 | 13% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 719 | 12% |
| 5 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,412 | 11% |
| 6 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,023 | 11% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 621 | 11% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 591 | 11% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 690 | 10% |
| 10 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 216 | 10% |
| 11 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 109 | 10% |
| 12 | Delaware | 961,939 | 93 | 10% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 170 | 9% |
| 14 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 795 | 8% |
| 15 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 672 | 8% |
| 16 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 527 | 8% |
| 17 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 231 | 8% |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 911 | 7% |
| 19 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 706 | 7% |
| 20 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 673 | 7% |
Mercy College

Arlington Heights School District 25

Arkansas State University
University of La Verne

University of Mary Washington
Dr. Alan Hartman: Being fluent in two or more languages is essential in today's work. We are becoming increasingly globalized and tethered together as a world community. The more languages one speaks, reads, understands, and writes fluently the more opportunities one will find. Many people speak a second language, especially in New York, however very few can command a professional level of cultural or linguistic fluency in more than one language. Understanding another culture and language is power, and the more languages one speaks fluently while also holding an elevated level of cultural understanding, the more opportunities of all kinds will become apparent.
I think it is also important to note that there is a record lack of languages teachers in general at the moment and this is one field into which many of our graduates enter. Italian, French, Spanish, and TESOL teachers are all in tremendous need and now is an excellent moment for new teachers to find immediate, meaningful, and well-paying positions with excellent benefits.
Similarly, many government agencies, among them the FBI, Foreign Service, and others, are actively seeking to attract recent graduates into their field and a background in languages well positions future candidates who wish to do so.

Brian Kaye: I anticipate that incoming staff will need to be flexible in adapting to an evolving educational environment. Teachers will not only need to be content experts with instructional strategies to motivate students but more than ever they will need to support the social-emotional needs of our students. Collaborative relationships with colleagues will also serve them well as we've learned that supporting one another through this crisis is what has allowed schools to thrive under these conditions.

Arkansas State University
Department of English, Philosophy, and World Languages
Dr. Vicent Moreno Ph.D.: I wouldn't say that there is one course or certification that has a bigger impact. In general, bilingualism or the ability to communicate in a language other than English with clients is definitely what most employers will be looking for. In addition to this, skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, intercultural competence, and public speaking are always sought after by employers across all markets and industries. Any degree in Romance Languages should provide you with the skills I just mentioned through the classes offered, regardless of its focus in literature and culture or language.
However, depending on which field you want to work in, you may want to pursue a level of specialization through specific credentials. For example, certificates such as Spanish for the Professions have become increasingly popular for graduates who want to have an edge when applying for jobs in law enforcement, health professions, or business, among others. Those who wish to teach K-12 will usually need a specific state license and a BSE degree in the target language. In some other cases, like for those wanting to teach in Higher Education or become a certified translator or interpreter, a Masters or a PhD in the language will typically be required.
Dr. Vicent Moreno Ph.D.: I don't think there will be an enduring impact, at least not in a negative sense. I can see how, for certain professions, the old models of working 9-5 in an office space might have been disrupted and perhaps changed forever as a result of the pandemic. Thus, flexibility and ability to work from home might be key assets for graduates entering the job market. A similar situation applies to graduates wishing to work in the education field, which is the career of choice for a lot of graduates in Romance Languages. The ability and willingness to work both remotely and in person are very important elements that the pandemic has brought about and will probably stay on even after the crisis is over. Related to this, online education has gained even more momentum, exacerbated by the need to work from home. In this sense, the skills to develop engaging pedagogical materials for use in online or hybrid classes will definitely be a must in the years to come for those entering the field now.
University of La Verne
Modern Languages Department
Dr. Ann Hills: The coronavirus has had a devastating effect on many industries and, by extension, job options. Pre-pandemic, I would routinely suggest that language students consider positions in countries in which their language(s) of study are spoken. Many recent graduates teach English abroad right out of college, allowing them to earn money as well as cross-cultural and professional experience; current times have made such opportunities more challenging.
Nevertheless, I believe that graduates with degrees in languages and cultures have skill sets and knowledge that can be translated (pardon the pun) into many fields that continue to be in high demand-indeed, into some fields that are in even higher demand as a result of the pandemic, such as education, healthcare and community engagement. Students of language and culture tend to have a highly developed sense of understanding of, empathy for, and often experience communicating and working with, diverse populations; organizations and private sector employers are realizing that these are critical traits in today's global society and markets, as are concerns for inclusion and equity. In addition to positions that specifically require multilingualism, those that call for critical thinking, superior verbal and written communication skills, and linguistic sophistication should be a good fit for language majors as well.
There are many variables that make a job "good," of course: a livable wage, a reasonable work-life balance, a supportive and respectful environment, a rewarding work product... If you're not fortunate enough to attain your dream job right away-few people are!-take stock of your true passions and future career goals. Consider an entry level job in your desired field or an allied field: this allows you to bank valuable knowledge and experience in that area as you give it a "test drive." If you're interested in education but don't find an available teaching position, apply as a tutor, teaching assistant or substitute teacher. If your passion is literary translation, earn some practical experience working for a commercial translation company.
It's my hope that with determination, creativity and a strong work ethic, we can face the challenges occasioned by the pandemic and find new opportunities for productive collaborations.

University of Mary Washington
College of Education
Janine Davis Ph.D.: For our teacher education graduates, the impact of the pandemic will most likely work in their favor when it comes to finding jobs-the pandemic has led to many retirements, which will mean that we will need even more teachers to fill those empty positions. At the same time, the advent of increased virtual learning means that it will no longer be an option that teachers know and use technology, including teaching online and using learning management and data analysis systems-those skills will almost certainly be a non-negotiable for future teaching positions. Finally, I think that this event has highlighted the importance of working as part of a team of teachers and other school leaders.