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| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 77 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 69 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 71 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 70 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 70 | 0.00% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $63,400 | $30.48 | +6.2% |
| 2024 | $59,697 | $28.70 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $58,724 | $28.23 | +0.6% |
| 2022 | $58,394 | $28.07 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $57,846 | $27.81 | +1.6% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 135 | 19% |
| 2 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 281 | 5% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 259 | 4% |
| 4 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 22 | 4% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 294 | 3% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 138 | 3% |
| 7 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 92 | 3% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 25 | 3% |
| 9 | Vermont | 623,657 | 20 | 3% |
| 10 | California | 39,536,653 | 761 | 2% |
| 11 | New York | 19,849,399 | 329 | 2% |
| 12 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 188 | 2% |
| 13 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 183 | 2% |
| 14 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 170 | 2% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 110 | 2% |
| 16 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 51 | 2% |
| 17 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 39 | 2% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 25 | 2% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 25 | 2% |
| 20 | Alaska | 739,795 | 18 | 2% |
University of Cincinnati Clermont College
Utah State University
Fairfield University
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
University of San Francisco
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Molloy College
University of Richmond
Ursinus College
Saint Anselm College
Grand Valley State University
Indiana University Kokomo
University of Miami
California State University - Fullerton
American University
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Dallas Baptist University
University of Baltimore
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.
Laura Wilson: Writing and editing will always be important and prevalent. Clear communication is increasingly important. Encourage writers to work WITH AI by learning how to use the software and edit the output. Encourage exploration of certificates to make them more marketable.
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.
Rachel Robinson-Zetzer PhD: Writing is a great profession to enter now because it’s a way to reach a specific audience for a specific purpose. With all the misinformation in the world today, Writers have a lot of power. It’s an exciting time to let your voice be heard, whether that’s through fiction, newswriting, memoir, cartoon, or something else.
Dr. Allison Rittmayer: I think the key to this is through experience and continuing education. Explore volunteer work that will give you the opportunity to use writing skills you don't use in your day job. Stay current with your technological skills, learn new programs and apps, and pay attention to trends in writing, language use, graphic design, and other related fields.
Dean Rader: There is an interesting study I saw recently that shows how humanities majors tend to start out with a lower beginning salary than most other fields. However, in five years, their salaries and their job satisfaction are higher than those from many other disciplines. English majors who can do another thing, who minor in marketing or who can do coding or Web design often have an easier time landing that first job. But, I also often recommend a graduate degree. That may sound counterintuitive given the reports out there about how college and graduate school admissions are plummeting; however, if fewer people are going to graduate school--especially in the humanities--there could very well be a deficit of people in the workforce with advanced training. If you can get an MBA or a JD or a master's without going into too much debt, research shows it pays off down the road.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
English Language And Literature
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.
University of Richmond
Rhetoric And Composition/Writing Studies
Justin Wigard: Critical textual analysis is key. With a degree in writing, you’ll be able to parse multiple forms of writing effectively: grants, data reports, creative works, and more! You’ll be prepared to work with anything that conveys information through written form (digitally, verbally, even visually). Digital writing, rhetoric, and publishing is also going to become increasingly prevalent as our world becomes more digitally connected. So, learning the ins and outs of writing is great, but you will become even more proficient if you have a little bit of experience working with digital projects. Programming, data science, basic web design, or proficiency with digital publishing suites will give you more understanding of how to write and create in a technologically-mediated world.
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.
Saint Anselm College
English Language And Literature
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: 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 we will find ourselves increasingly working with generative AI in the near future. That's not to say that we all need to know the programming behind it, but we should develop a knowledge of how it operates and what gen AI can and cannot help us with. Certainly, gen AI helping us with rote and repetitive tasks will be a boon for creativity, but there's also a potential threat with its creative abilities. The pandemic brought with it a wave of students who were removed from their social and educational school settings for months at a time. Undoubtedly a necessary move from a public health perspective, but there were very clearly some downsides. Chief among those is that many young people have difficulties communicating with their peers. Developing strong communication skills - both in print and in person - are going to become increasingly important. While others may struggle with interpersonal relationships, you can separate yourself by becoming proficient.
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.: If you were an English major in college, you’re probably an excellent reader, writer, researcher, and learner. The start of your career is a great time to demonstrate your skills as a quick study and an adaptive thinker. Take a deep dive into whatever company or sector you’re working in, reading everything you can get your hands on, while identifying the challenges your employer needs help with. Then, sort out how to help. If you’re still on the job market, showcase those exceptional writing skills in crafting a thoughtful, unique, and enthusiastic application letter and portfolio. Be unique and set yourself apart from every other job applicant you’re up against.
Irena Praitis: There’s a major concern that AI will be replacing people in a number of areas. People working with people—as leaders, collaborators, communicators, planners—those educated in the humanities, might possibly be in increasing demand. There are few areas of life more complicated than understanding and working with people. That’s what a degree in English begins to prepare someone for—that complication at the heart of human nature and how to begin to understand it and work with it.
Irena Praitis: English majors are excellent communicators, collaborators, and critical thinkers. Communication skills are highly sought as are skills for people working together. Graduates should emphasize their communication and critical thinking skills, emphasizing also creative thinking and working with and understanding others.
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.
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Criminal Justice And Corrections
Dr. Arthur Garrison LP.D.: Don’t chase salary. Seek a job that will point you in the direction you want to go. Your first job is not your last. You have your whole life ahead of you. You don’t need to have all the answers to your life’s plans. You still have time to learn what you want in life and what you can achieve.
Chance Gamble: More important? Confidence. When I graduated, I walked straight into a field of business I knew nothing about. I was later hired as a professional private tutor by a company that charged our clients $150 for an hour of my time. I believe that is because they saw I was confident that I could do whatever was asked of me. By confidence, I don't mean arrogance. Confidence is that peace that comes from knowing who you are, what you have accomplished, and how hard you will work to overcome future challenges. It is cultivated by a quality education, and it's authentic. In a meta-world of virtual realities where we can't trust the validity of the photos or videos we see, genuine, solid people will only increase in necessity and value. More prevalent? Creativity. Digital humanities is an exciting branch of academia exploring literature, composition, and rhetoric through digital mediums, and English majors are increasingly pushed to consider their interests through multiple modalities. As they move into the workforce, they will bring a blend of technological expertise and literary acumen that will be an explosive, distinct creativity in a world inundated by soulless AI generations.
Betsy Boyd: Social media savvy as social evolves; navigating the conversation regarding AI; good writing and improving your writing and communication skills, always important. Brave journalism is going to be key.
Betsy Boyd: Become the best writer and communicator you can possibly be. By reading and writing as often as possible. By taking notes. By staying excited about your own perspective and the good work of others. Going back to school can be a good way to strengthen your abilities, gain community support, and earn an advanced degree that commands a higher salary.