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| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,250 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,424 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 3,611 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 3,295 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 3,391 | 0.00% |
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $50,696 | $24.37 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $48,976 | $23.55 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $47,571 | $22.87 | +4.8% |
| 2022 | $45,392 | $21.82 | +4.1% |
| 2021 | $43,605 | $20.96 | +4.0% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 196 | 28% |
| 2 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 306 | 5% |
| 3 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 29 | 5% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 351 | 4% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 302 | 4% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 172 | 4% |
| 7 | Alaska | 739,795 | 26 | 4% |
| 8 | Vermont | 623,657 | 24 | 4% |
| 9 | New York | 19,849,399 | 636 | 3% |
| 10 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 191 | 3% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 84 | 3% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 52 | 3% |
| 13 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 21 | 3% |
| 14 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 169 | 2% |
| 15 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 121 | 2% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 121 | 2% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 67 | 2% |
| 18 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 26 | 2% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 22 | 2% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 20 | 2% |
University of Cincinnati Clermont College
SUNY College at Oswego
Utah State University
Fairfield University
The University of Findlay
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
University of San Francisco
The University of the Arts
Western Kentucky University
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Molloy College
University of Richmond
Ursinus College
Saint Anselm College
Grand Valley State University
Indiana University Kokomo
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.
Dr. Terry Nugent: Despite evolving AI technology, effective communication requires an understanding of the rhetorical situation and how language works. That being said, learning to use both current and emerging technology will be critical as writing will increasingly incorporate mixed media and be published in digital form. Familiarity with both Google and Microsoft based programs, graphic designing and editing tools, and tools for creating charts, graphs, and infographics will be critical. Additionally, graduates will need to hone their teamworking and collaborative skills since almost all work requires working with diverse groups which leads to a final skillset that should be developed. Businesses often operate on a global level requiring employees to be able to work closely with diverse cultures therefore, some knowledge of linguistics will be very helpful.
Nicole Walker: My main advice is to show potential employers how it's done!
Nicole Walker: AI is the current threat to creative careers, but I believe that English majors will be highly sought after to write and communicate in distinct voices. English majors learn tone, nuance, metaphor, subtly. Hone those skills because those are things AI cannot just algorithmically recreate.
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.
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.
Laura Wilson: Be ready to explain how a degree in English translates to the working world. Be passionate and knowledgeable about why a company would need a writer/humanitarian. Develop an elevator pitch that explains soft skills and hard skills in relation to work they'd do in any field.
Laura Wilson: Encourage majors to explore certificates that will make them more marketable. Combine soft skills with hard skills. Knowing all the tech platforms will likely earn more money out of the gate.
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.
Soma Frazier: Take on a variety of jobs. For instance, while teaching and writing creative works, I was also freelancing and writing grants. In doing so, I developed multiple income sources as well as a broad skill base that ultimately equipped me to secure higher-paying opportunities. Beyond that, each job shaped my creative writing: crafting pithy articles taught me to revise down, while developing grant proposals taught me to make a specific mission or topic feel relevant to the everyday reader. You may hit the jackpot and land your dream career straight out of school. If you're like the rest of us, though, there will be a period of uncertainty in which you're building your portfolio and finding your stride. That's the perfect time to take a note from improv comedians and be receptive to opportunities and ideas by saying 'Yes.'
Soma Frazier: Leverage social media and your network to find a mentor. Mine had authored a bestselling book and was thriving as a freelance brand and content strategist for clients including Hershey and E&J; Gallo Winery. I truly respected her experience, so I treated for coffee and let her know I wanted to be her when I grew up! She laughed, offered advice, and eventually hired me to write for her food blog—which came with snazzy perks like wine and chocolate. I ended up taking on her overflow. Though I wound up in higher education rather than content strategy, those years taught me to adopt a specific style and tone, and to cut a 500-word piece to 150 words without sacrificing anything essential. I still apply what I learned from my mentor to my own career and writing—and it helped shape my debut novel, which sold to a Big 5 publisher.
Shane Graham: Remember the skills you honed as an English major: pay close attention to detail, ground your thinking in evidence, find reliable sources of information, and put things in their larger context. All of these skills will serve you well in whatever job you pursue.
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.
Shane Graham: I suppose the same way the business majors do it: by putting networking and sycophancy ahead of competence and hard work. Most students don’t become English majors because they’re focused on maximizing salary potential, though.
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.
Rachel Robinson-Zetzer PhD: On a day-to-day basis, a Writer really works on their bread and butter—their writing process. This can mean actually drafting and outlining texts, brainstorming, taking walks to get ideas flowing, you name it! The writing process is unique to every Writer, and because of that, there is really now one answer to the question How does a Writer spend their day? Instead, it’s best to think of the time a Writer has devoted to their craft as sacred, whether that be drafting pages out long-hand or chatting with friends over drinks about their ideas. Daily, Writers need to read. Great Writers are great readers.
Amy Rogan: People working in journalism probably most dislike the hours and the pay but it’s truly one of the most rewarding fields to work in. It can be stressful but also exciting and challenging. Whether at the local level or a larger stage, it’s truly a service to your community to provide vital information.
Dr. Allison Rittmayer: The rise of AI is something graduates looking for jobs in writing need to take seriously. I think we will see more collaborative use of AI in writing jobs in the next several years as employers seek to make the most out of the technology while recognizing its limitations and ethical quagmires.
Dr. Allison Rittmayer: Don't undercut your skills and experience. You are likely qualified for more jobs than you think you are. You need to promote your experience writing in different genres and across media. Likewise, don't be afraid to take on new projects in unfamiliar formats or unfamiliar roles. That is the key to continual growth.
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: English is a fantastic, nimble, relevant degree. Because people with an English degree can do so many things--not just one thing, like accounting for example, we have to work a little harder to brand or market ourselves for the specific job we want. We have to hustle a little bit harder. We have to network with our friends a little more. Our resumes and cover letters have to be impeccable. We may have to start at the very bottom and work our way up the ladder. So, I encourage students and recent graduates to take any job that gets their foot in the door. And then, once you have that job. Do it well. And don't be a jerk. Be kind. Be helpful. Make yourself indispensable. Employees who can do many things--write, create, collaborate, communicate--are necessary and can often find themselves advancing in a career they may not have imagined. I just encourage students to not have a fixed mindset about a job, work hard, and be open.
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.
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.
Paul Cook: English is way more than just the study of literature. English majors learn how to read, write, and speak well—three essential and timeless skills that will serve you well in your professional lives, in a knowledge economy, and in the (post)digital era.
Paul Cook: Finding the human in what we do is critical. This is what humans can do that machines (like Generative AI platforms) simply can’t. I predict that being able to pinpoint the human element—and then build on it through creation and innovation—in a sea of AI-generated content will remain a marketable skill for decades to come.
Paul Cook: I will let you know when I figure that out. 😉
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: Adaptability and flexibility. The type of writing, the genres of writing, the styles of writing, and the technologies around writing may/will change, so be adaptable. Learn how to learn, especially on the fly. Your college instructors can't teach you every type or genre of writing you may encounter in your career; so, develop skills in learning new genres of writing. Ask yourself, what worked in the past that will work as I learn this new type/style of writing. Adapting to different audiences and formats is key. The ability to research and in turn translate that research to your audience, even if it involves SEO and writing for the web with a less concrete audience or for search engines. In this sense, the skill of creating transferrable content is key. Also, storytelling is very important in many writing-based careers—how to tell a story. Another skill is differentiating what you can offer that AI can't or where does AI complement your work and writing? Avoiding or ignoring AI is not wise.
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.
Professor Mac McKerral: Produce quality work for student publications while in school. Do multiple internships. Hold onto and use what you are taught in school. Be capable of doing anything needed: A/V news gathering and editing; visual work; editing; basic design. Be self-motivated and take initiative. Show a wiliness to learn.
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.
Prof. Laura Betz PhD: I don't have a reply for this one.
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!
University of Richmond
Rhetoric And Composition/Writing Studies
Justin Wigard: Think big and be open to new opportunities. Written communication is present in all fields, so the writing skills you obtain can translate across disciplines and professional contexts. Having some experience with digital tools or data science, even just a little bit, will allow you to combine your qualitative writing experiences with quantitative approaches.
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.
Justin Wigard: Writing graduates are primed to quickly, innately, analyze many forms of communication. Learning the fundamentals of writing and rhetoric gives you the capacity to work in any written genre and context. My advice would be to read deeply and widely! Read poetry and nonfiction, study business memos and film scripts, annotate law briefs and scholarly monographs. The more you read, the more styles and approaches to writing you’ll be familiar with. Likewise, I would recommend writing constantly, and getting as much feedback from your peers, faculty members, and writing center consultants as you can. That way, you’ll get used to editing, revising, and publishing. Most of your courses will require writing of some kind. Use each class as an opportunity to practice your writing experiences. Follow up with your professors afterward to continue honing those skills. Lastly, think about how you can extend those writing skills beyond the classroom. Explore opportunities contribute your writing skills with faculty mentors, student organizations, local newspapers or publications, and even community groups.
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: This may sound counterintuitive, given the way that AI is currently being heralded as a paradigm-shifting technology, but writing is a foundational skill that will remain the bedrock of human communication, storytelling, news reporting, public relations, multimedia production, cultural interpretation, advocacy, and countless other domains of human life and labor. Rather than obsolesce writing, automation technologies are going to demand a sharper, more incisive, form of reading and a more expansive, creative form of writing to reassert the irreducible value of human thought.
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: 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.