You can get all the information you need on BA English literature job opportunities as well as for all colleges and universities here on Collegelearners. We address questions on BA English literature job opportunities so you don’t have to go on a wild goose chase

visit Collegelearners for similar answers on jobs for English literature students, government jobs for English majors, high paying jobs for English majors, job opportunities for English and literary studies, jobs for English majors besides teaching as soon as possible.

The most effective way to develop your career prospects and gain future opportunities is still to earn a college degree. An undergraduate degree is a valuable step towards your future. To fit any student’s ambitions, a number of different types of programs are available. The size of their ambition will also depend on how many of these degree levels a person wants to complete.

Careers in English Literature

Today, we live in a world where thankfully, there is a plethora of career options, fit to everybody’s liking. A lot of us grew up with Harry Potter and Enid Blyton, and over the years, this affinity for reading grew to be more than just a hobby. Everyone who’s irresistibly drawn to those big, heavy, hardbound books, (or, you know, kindles)  has thought of pursuing a degree in English Literature, only to be hit with the question – what next?

English Literature, despite common misconceptions, is a lucrative career option. Although definitely leaning to the creative side, pursuing a degree in English Literature also entails reading and analysing a hefty amount of print, deciphering works of fiction and finding the meaning behind words.

English literature is a highly acclaimed field of study because there is always a demand for copywriters in companies, and people who have a strong grip overwritten and oral proficiency in English. Out of the many career options available, here are five common fields where a degree in English Literature is useful, or even necessary.

CAREERS

MEDIA AND JOURNALISM

A career in the media is as high paying as it is taxing. Careers extend to everything from scriptwriting, directing, dialogue writing, blogging and filmmaking. A career in the media is glamorous, but has long working hours with little to no break. Journalism, on the flip side of media, pertains to writing about events and opinions, writing articles for newspapers and being up to date with current events. A career in the various types of journalism entails hard work and persistence, and a flair for using words to stir people’s emotions.

PUBLISHING

Recently, more and more people opt for freelance work, which means, they write sporadically for magazines, companies, newspapers and online journals. They don’t attach themselves to a certain company, or one fixed job, but are flexible in their approach. Getting started as a freelancer requires immense talent and tactful time management. Graduates can take up job at an IT or Digital Marketing sector as a content writer, copywriter, proof-reader, and editor.

ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

You can take up a job as an advertising copywriter, creative executive or director, campaign manager, event organizer, PR manager, and others, as English literature students are known for their creativity, communication skills, writing skills, imagination, logic and reasoning. The advertising industry trends are known for their employees with a different way of thinking, their quirky and upcoming ideas, and their liberalism.

THEATRE AND ACTING

Acting is one of the many fields you can enter into, without needing a degree in that specific subject. Many English Literature majors, the Shakespeare nerds, the drama club kids with a cornucopia of quotes from Othello, choose to pursue a career in the theatrical arts after they graduate. An English literature degree equips you with an understanding of complicated texts and the feelings behind the texts, which in turns helps them to enact these feelings.

EDUCATION

One of the most common fields English Major Graduates enter into is education, which has ample prospects. Graduates can either choose to teach secondary schools, or with further study, can conduct lectures in universities and colleges. Other than conventional teaching, graduates can choose to teach English as a second language to foreigners, or can even get high paying jobs as translators in governments and consulates.

REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE

As English Literature is a non-vocational course, students pursuing English Literature are expected to do activities to build their resume simultaneously. This means, students have to snag internships and jobs related to their chosen field of work, or have a portfolio displaying their work in the subjects. This isn’t necessary, but employers always hold people with work experience and/or records of personal work of more importance, as compared to those with only a degree to show. Blogging, writing reviews, interning at magazine companies/newspapers, attending and conducting workshops to share your skills, reviewing books, restaurants or movies in your free time, spending time making short films, or writing scripts are all things you can do to make yourself stand out to a potential employer.

Best Universities for English Literature in the world

Besides obvious top choices like Oxford, Stanford, Cambridge and Harvard, here’s a list of Universities best known for their English Literature course.

• Yale
• Princeton
• University of Sydney
• National University of Singapore
• University of Toronto
• UCL
• University of British Columbia
• Lady Sri Ram College
• Xavier’s College
• Delhi University

SKILLS YOU GAIN

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Creative thinking
• Analytical and critical thinking
• Ability to understand and learn large chunks of information
• Ability to understand abstract concepts and ideas
• Being in touch with human psychology and behaviour

All in all, English Literature is a field where you need to have a passion for the subject and its related fields. It is not a theoretical field with rote learning, as it requires a basic understanding of philosophy, history, psychology and a love for words.

What can you do with an English Literature degree

While there’s more to an English literature degree than reading hefty tomes until your eyes go square, it’s fair to say that reading and analyzing written works is likely to be pretty central to your studies. During an English literature degree, students scrutinize and debate a variety of texts, as well as acquiring knowledge of literary movements, periods and critical approaches that have shaped the way we view literature today.

If you choose to study English literature at university, you’ll develop comprehensive written and spoken communication skills, becoming adept at arguing a point, framing a narrative and analyzing various levels of meaning.

But what every English Literature student wants to know is, ’What can you do with an English degree once you graduate?’ The answer to this question is more longwinded than you might expect, as English degree graduates can be found in more or less every industry, filling a variety of roles – from editor to academic, and legal advisor to manager.

Read on to explore the many answers to the question ‘what can you do with an English degree?’ – plus get tips on how to boost your employability within each area.

How to Prepare for a Career in Literature

A,n English major is a very flexible degree, setting students up for careers in literature as well as many other fields. With so much that the degree can work towards, it can be hard to pinpoint how to use an English degree to prepare yourself for your specific dream career in literature. Here we’ll look into some things you’ll have to consider and do to kick off your work in the literature world!

There are a great many careers in literature that international students can look forward to after obtaining a literature degree. Whether you’re business-minded, creative, academic, or not quite sure, the field of literature has something for everyone. But given the breadth of possibilities for English majors, many schools underemphasize teaching the steps you should be going through to attain your goals and break into certain fields. An English major is a great start, but preparing for a career in literature will take more than just a fancy piece of paper!

Teaching with a Degree in Literature

One career in literature that is very popular for international students after getting an English major is teaching. For those who want to teach any grade level before high school, just a bachelor’s degree will be required; most aspiring high school teachers and all potential college professors will need a master’s degree to be considered. But beyond just reaching these academic milestones, international students looking for a teaching career in literature will have to meet certain licensing requirements that vary by state (and may also vary back in your home country). Often a university or college’s education major will have the requirements for obtaining that state’s teaching license built in, but the literature degree rarely features this benefit. Thus, literature students preparing for a career in literature on the teaching side should research their state’s (or country’s) requirements and sign up for a teacher preparation program run by the state’s own Department of Education or by your home country.

Double Major or Continue to Graduate School

Of course, not all international students looking for a career in literature will want to teach. For these students, it’s important to consider whether or not graduate work should be pursued. For many literature jobs in the publishing industry, such as editing, copywriting, and administrative work, a graduate degree is far from required but can help give you a leg up. The publishing industry is fairly competitive to break into and, despite the obvious goal of disseminating literature, very business-oriented. If you want to be someone really shaping the publishing industry, thorough knowledge of business is a must. Whether enough business savvy can be obtained through undergrad elective classes or double major in business — whether a master’s in business is in your future —depends on your interests, the availability and quality of business classes at your school, and the exact part of the industry you imagine yourself working. Generally, the more executive the position you want, the more business background (and typically, more advanced the degree) you need to have to get it!

What about Creative Writing?

Another reason for literature students to consider grad work is to pursue creative writing. While many English majors have creative writing classes open to students on the literature track, an international student who decides late that he’s interested in creative writing might simply run out of time to get in the desired creative writing training during his undergraduate education. With a solid background of literary expertise, many literature majors do go on to get master’s degrees in creative writing and give themselves a great foundation to pursue their writing dreams.

Experience in Literature

Whether or not international students go on to graduate work, a big part of preparing for a career in literature is setting up your experience and contacts during school. That means internships! In addition to the obvious benefits of work experience, networking, and possibly earning some cold, hard cash (if you land an oh-so-coveted paid internship), internships let you test out various careers in literature to see if they’re actually up your alley, thus preventing you from committing to a career you’d dislike before it’s too late. Some literature internships will be straightforward, like working as an editorial intern, while some will have to get more unconventional, like a mentorship with a novelist for a budding creative writer. The important thing is to get in some experience and get a feel for the job!

Preparing for a career in literature is an important part of your time getting a literature degree. Make sure to pinpoint what you want and follow the above tips to best prepare yourself for the job market.

Career in English field

Although there’s no one industry which takes precedence, English degree graduates are often found where strong communication and written English skills are top priorities; for example, within the worlds of media and publishing.

On the one hand, the widespread demand for good communication skills means English literature degrees offer lots of potential career paths. But, since this is a non-vocational subject, students may want to consider gaining work experience during their studies– a good way to get a feel for different options, and often an essential asset when it comes to applying for graduate jobs.

For instance, students who know they want to go into magazine publishing upon graduation will likely need experience in a similar environment, either from an internship undertaken during their studies or involvement with a student publication, such as a university newsletter, magazine or website. Some more ideas on how to boost graduate employability within each industry are listed below.

Media and journalism careers with an English degree

Encompassing a whole bunch of smaller industries, the media sector covers everything from film to television, newspapers to news blogs, advertising to PR and gaming to game reviewing. Depending on your area of interest, there’s a niche for just about any English graduate, whether you want to produce, write, edit, review, schedule, promote, manage or run.

Careers in media studies can be very competitive. Unless you’re dedicated to the industry and have the work experience record to show it (see below), strong starting salaries for careers in media are hard to guarantee. In addition, those wishing to pursue journalism as a profession may benefit from a specialized graduate degree in this field.

How to boost your graduate employability: Internships and/or placements; a media blog; an active presence on social media; personal portfolio of work (e.g. a compilation of reviews, scripts, photography, film projects etc.); proven interest in current media landscape (in film, television, journalism, digital media etc.).

Publishing careers with an English degree

Although often intersecting with the media world, publishing does in fact belong to a distinct sector. In recent years, the publishing industry has seen much disruption, thanks in large part to the digital revolution. Although this means many traditional print publishing companies are becoming smaller or struggling to survive, those that have adapted to the world of digital publishing are continuing to thrive – and in need of graduates with the skills to help them keep evolving.

Digital publishing encompasses areas such as e-books and electronic journals (e.g. scientific periodicals), as well as online magazines and news sites. English graduates entering publishing careers may be involved in a variety of areas, including administration, production, editorial, marketing, public relations and sales.

To land a job in publishing you will need to have a passion for books, a good level of computer literacy and a strong knowledge of trends within the industry. Whilst it’s better to have work experience in the industry, be careful not to be taken advantage of by unpaid work experience – most publishers now at least offer minimum wage for work experience placements.

How to boost your graduate employability: Intern or undergo a placement at a publishing house; self-published blog; creative portfolio; knowledge of the contemporary world of print and digital publishing.

Teaching and academic careers with an English degree

Although careers in teaching often require additional qualifications and/or experience, an English literature degree can be a great way to develop the academic knowledge and communication skills needed.

To teach at primary or secondary level, you’ll usually need to complete a professional teaching qualification and gain some experience working with children and/or young adults. For university-level teaching, you’ll be required to gain at least a master’s degree (in the field you wish to teach) and often also a PhD, as many universities combine teaching and research roles.

Careers in teaching and academia can also tie in with careers in media. For instance, university tutors often submit papers to journals, contribute to or author entire books, and comment on contemporary issues in the mass media.

How to boost your graduate employability: Previous teaching experience (e.g. tutoring, mentoring, teaching English abroad); work with children and young adults (e.g. mentoring, child-minding, youth project volunteering); contributions to research projects (e.g. research assistant work).

Advertising, marketing and PR careers with an English degree

Roles in advertising, marketing, and public relations have become increasingly popular and sought-after by English graduates.  Elements of marketing, advertising and PR are available across many different sectors and almost every business contains at least small elements of these.

While still involving high levels of creativity and excellent communication skills, these roles all demand more of an explicit focus on generating profit and expanding business or brand reach. This revenue-based mindset is also often paired with higher starting salaries compared to more purely artistic/creative media roles, and career progression possibilities are often more clearly defined. With technology becoming more involved in marketing, advertising and PR, it’s becoming more of a requirement for students to be technology savvy.

How to boost your graduate employability: Experience in sales and marketing roles; knowledge of how to promote yourself (or a product/service) using social media; a creative portfolio of ideas. 

As well as the industries listed above, there are many other roles English graduates can handle with ease. Other common careers with an English degree include librarianship, archiving, bookselling, information and research, tourism, events management, social work, youth work, probation work, human resources, retail management and sales.

Less typical careers with an English degree

Careers in the public sector

An umbrella term for state-funded roles within the public domain, the public sector is responsible for hiring large numbers of administrators, civil service workers, health service workers, government workers and police/armed forces personnel every year. Depending on the country you wish to work in, this can give you a huge number of options in terms of travel, personal growth and career progression.

English degree graduates are likely to be well suited to public sector roles in English-speaking countries, thanks to highly developed spoken and written communication skills, the ability to research and analyze complex written information, and the ability to contextualize issues based on historical, political, cultural and social contexts. To work in the public sector, you will have to be highly organized, have exceptional leadership skills and the ability to effectively make decisions. You should also be able to think flexibly in order to solve problems in a creative way.

How to boost your graduate employability: Demonstrable interest in the field (e.g. volunteering experience in a government agency); awareness of current affairs; work experience requiring strong organizational skills; a formal structured work placement (either over the summer or a year working in industry).

Careers in Law

Those who study English at university are also likely to develop many of the skills required for careers in law and the legal sector, although a graduate-level degree will be needed for many legal roles like a barrister or solicitor. Despite this restriction, there are many careers in law available with just an undergraduate-level degree. These include administrative, organizational and research-based roles, within local and national courts (both civil and criminal), as well as government agencies and independent legal firms. A paralegal or legal secretary, for example, will often hold just an undergraduate degree.

Those wanting to enter the legal profession but don’t possess a law degree can also complete a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). This is a year-long full-time conversion course that brings non-law students up to date on the relevant knowledge needed to train as a barrister or a solicitor. To enter this, you will need a 2:2 grade or above in a recognized non law degree.

How to boost your graduate employability: Demonstrable interest in the legal system (e.g. a law or political affairs blog); strong organizational skills and attention to detail; some understanding of legal jargon.

Careers in business, accounting and finance

If you’re that rare breed of student who can manipulate both words and numbers with equal dexterity, then you may want to put your broad skillset to use within the business world. For highly numerate graduates, careers in accounting and finance are a very real prospect.. You’ll need good grades in mathematics at secondary education level and may need to pass a numeracy test conducted as part of the job assessment process.

Not all roles in business are based entirely on numbers, of course. Entry-level administrative roles can provide opportunities to develop skills in leadership and strategy, building on the communication skills you augmented during your degree. Here, hard work, initiative and collaboration will determine your chances of progression, with the possibility of gaining on-the-job training and further qualifications depending on the employer.

How to boost your graduate employability: High levels of numeracy; experience in leading a team (e.g. a university project); experience working within a team; understanding of some elements of the business world (e.g. sales/administrative experience); interest in current economic climate and business markets.

And finally, what can you do with an English degree if you don’t want to go into any of the areas above? More career possibilities include banking, freelance writing, lexicography, interpretation/translation (for bilingual graduates), therapy and psychology (with additional studies).

Type of Entry-Level Jobs for Literature Majors

From writing a thoughtful essay to research a particular type of literary theory, majoring in literature gives you the chance to develop your research and communication skills, while also learning how to think critically. But if you’re an English major, you may be wondering about the best way to apply your skills in the real world. Should you become a teacher or go into the world of publishing?

Here are some of the most common entry-level jobs for literature majors:

English teacher

Teaching is one of the most popular entry-level jobs for humanities majors and being an English teacher is an especially great fit for those who are majoring in literature. As an English teacher, you’ll help your students gain an appreciation for literature of all kinds while also teaching them how to interpret texts and improve their writing skills.

Publishing assistant

An entry-level job as a publishing assistant is a great way to get your foot in the door of the publishing industry. In this role, you’ll assist in the book production process and will take on tasks such as emailing authors and book distributors, managing social and media accounts and keeping track of budgets.

Editorial assistant

The most common type of editorial job for recent grads is an editorial assistant position. Based either at a specific publication, a publishing house or a literary agency, this position will give you great exposure to the many aspects of the publishing industry. From reading article pitches and manuscripts to communicating with writers and editing their work, you’ll gain a lot of experience very quickly while also learning what kind of content works best with your chosen audience.

Copywriter

A copywriter crafts engaging copy for websites, social media platforms and marketing materials. As an entry-level copywriter, you’ll put your writing skills to use by creating various types of content designed to resonate with an audience. Depending on whether you work for a marketing agency or as part of an in-house marketing team, you’ll be asked to create a specific voice for each of the brands you work with, and to maintain that voice in all of the writing you do.

Social media manager

As a social media manager, you increase the visibility of a brand, campaign or event on social media by creating engaging posts, answering customer questions and measuring the results of each campaign. You’ll also use analytics tools to determine what approaches work best and optimize your campaigns accordingly.

Copy editor

As a copy editor, you’ll be tasked with ensuring that the articles you’re editing are free of spelling and grammar mistakes and that they adhere to a specific writing style (such as AP style if you’re editing journalistic articles). Whether you work for a publishing house, a digital media company or a marketing firm, you’ll play a crucial role in the day-to-day operation of the editorial department.

Whether you’re interested in journalism, publishing or teaching, a literature major gives you an abundance of skills to land a job that’s right for you

14 Highest-Paying Jobs for English Majors

Take heart, thou English majors; thou jugglers of words and smiths of prose. Thine education was not toiled in vain!

Majoring in English has gotten a bad reputation over the past few years. Sure, you can write and understand Shakespeare, but can you offer value to an employer? Does anyone in the market actually need someone with an English degree? Can reading and analyzing classic works actually result in food on the table and a paid light bill? Yes it can!

There are actually many English degree jobs from high-quality employers. As you’ll discover, this is more than a niche degree, and you can do more than be an English professor.

English Major: What Skills Will You Learn?

A degree in English might not seem like the most job-ready education in the world, but you may be surprised by how many skills you’ll gain that is directly related to the workplace. These skills are not only useful to employers, they can be applied to a wide range of industries. With a BA in English, you will develop excellent written and oral communication skills, making you an important addition to many different companies.

Throughout your English program, you’ll take many different courses that cover a wide range of topics related to English and literature. Many courses will focus on reading and analyzing novels, but subject matter can also include short stories, poetry, and even plays. You may, for example, be tasked with reading an important piece of literature and explaining, in clear writing, the overall theme and message of the work. BA in English courses can include history of writing, rhetoric, critical thinking, mechanics in writing, and American or British literature.

First of all, you’ll learn to write well. This not only includes proper grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation, it means learning to write in a manner that is engaging and effective. Many different education paths will touch on writing, but in English, it becomes one of the main subjects, allowing you to hone your skills as a writer and communicator. From business memos to song lyrics, understanding quality writing is the foundation of an English major.

You’ll also learn to read analytically. Being able to take in information and understand it, then, if needed, reframe this information so it can be understood by others, is a skill that many employers will appreciate. An English major will also train your mind to not just read, but read in an efficient manner, which will be important when you start one of the best jobs for English majors.

Being an English major will also teach you to meet deadlines with writing, communicate in a clear manner, and think critically about all information.

Minors that Complement an English Degree

While taking your classes, you may be required to select a minor while majoring in English. Choosing the right minor may depend on the types of jobs you will pursue after college, but common options include art history, general history, literature, psychology, humanities, linguistics, or a foreign language. If you will be looking for a job in the business and finance world, a business degree or minor in economics would be a strong addition to your BA in English.

Most Lucrative Entry-Level English Major Jobs

When you first enter the job market after college, you’ll have a lot of different options in front of you. With a BA in English, there is almost no industry that is off-limits, as all areas need good communication and analysis of information. The next three jobs, however, are lucrative options for entry-level English majors.

#1   Freelance Writer

Avg. Salary: $40,000

Want to use your English degree before you graduate? Want to make money on the side and see if it blossoms into a full-time career? You can join the ranks of millions of Americans who make a living through freelancing and find plenty of jobs for English majors with no experience. As a freelance writer, you get the chance to choose your own hours, select your assignments, and work at your own pace, and you may be surprised by just how much money you can make. If you know how to write, there are many different resources for finding quality work. Pinning down an exact salary for freelance writers can be tough, but Pay Scale says that the average salary for writers in their first five years of freelancing is roughly $40,000. They also claim that the average hourly wage is $24.37, which, with 52 40-hour workweeks, would mean a salary over $50,000 a year.

#2   News Reporter

Avg. Salary: $38,870

These English major jobs can include all types of information media, including television, radio, and newspapers. They typically provide information that informs the public on issues and events, and can be responsible for news ranging from local to national to global. Although they work in an office, newsroom, or studio, they often spend much of their time in the field gathering information. The average salary for these English major jobs is below $40,000, but the top 10% can earn an average over $163,000, making it a lucrative career for people who stay with it. In most cases, the career trajectory starts in a small market and stair-steps upward to larger metro areas.

#3   Announcer

Avg. Salary: $30,830

These professionals work primarily in radio, delivering news, sports, and music to listeners. They may, depending on the specifics of the job, interview guests or provide commentary on specific issues. Although speaking is a major part of this job, an English degree helps announcers write scripts that are clear, effective, and engaging. Unfortunately, the job market for announcers may be declining. According to the BLS, the field will drop by 11% between 2014 and 2024. $30,000 may not seem like a significant income, but this job creates a great opportunity for English majors just entering the job market. Besides that, the top 10% can earn an average over $89,000. In most cases, initial training to work sound or video equipment will be required.

Selling Yourself as an English Major

Now comes the fun part: convincing employers that majoring in English has made you an effective and useful addition to their team. So how is this done? Start with the basics. The most important factor for English degrees is communication. Every employer in every industry needs quality communication, and if any job includes written documents of any type, you have the potential to be an important employee.

English majors also have the ability to think critically and develop creative solutions to problems and issues affecting businesses. Many employers love how English majors can deal with obscure, indirect concepts and create comprehensible solutions.

Finally, the ability to read, review, and recycle information should not be overlooked. The legal profession, for example, will have lots of industry-specific terminology written by long-winded attorneys. It takes someone with the training and skills of an English major to cut through the jargon and tell people exactly what they need to know, in relatable terms. This principle applies to many industries, including technology, medical, and financial sectors.

These skills, while conceptual and potentially obscure, are often a top selling point for anyone with an English degree.

Continuing Education for English Majors

When you complete your English degree, you can dive straight into the best jobs for English majors, or you can continue your education. Even if you choose an English major job, you still have the option of going back to school at any time.

For many people majoring in English, the common choice is to attend graduate school. This can be an important step if you wish to teach English, literature, or writing at the high school or collegiate level, as you will gain a deeper understanding of the English language and how it applies to modern forms of writing.

However, attending graduate school is not the only option. In fact, anyone with a BA in English should stay well-versed in writing techniques. You can join various writing groups, which can be attended online or in person.

There are also certificate programs available for writers of all types, from novelists to technical writers. Certificates not only make you more attractive to employers, they also enhance your skills in a wide variety of areas. Organizations that offer writing-based certificates include the American Marketing Association, the American Writers and Artists Inc., the Content Marketing Institute, and HubSpot, an influential digital-marketing company.

There are also many professional conferences that you can attend throughout your career. These conferences are often designed for aspiring or active authors, but there are conventions that tailor to English majors who work in a professional business environment.

Best Jobs for English Majors

Advertising Manager	Average salary: $127,560 (Top 10% can make over $208,000)
If you are looking to make a lot of money with your English major, take an a English major job in advertising and work your way to advertising manager. This career is certainly tough, requiring you to develop every aspect of advertising, from budgets to conceptions to execution. You’ll guide research, create long and short-term plans, and meet with clients to provide advice or sell your services. Add in hiring talent and negotiating prices, and you have a full career that will keep you plenty busy. But don’t worry, you’ll be rewarded! The average advertising manger makes $127,560 a year, making it one of the best jobs for English majors. The top 10% will make roughly $208,000, creating even greater earning potential. The job also has consistent growth, sitting at 9% between 2014 and 2024.
Lawyer	Average salary: $118,160
The career will require an extensive legal education, but majoring in English at the graduate level is an excellent start before law school. Lawyers need to communicate effectively with people from many different background and many different levels of education. They not only need to discuss cases with their clients, who likely don’t understand “legalese,” they also need to talk with partnering and opposing attorneys, as well as judges. This career makes $118,160 per year, while the top 10% will bring in more than $208,000. The career growth is expected to be at 6%, which is just under the national average.
Public Relations Manager	Average salary: $107,320
If you choose to apply your English degree to public relations, you may eventually earn a job as a PR or fundraising manager, one of the best jobs for English majors. In this position, you will write press releases, determine how to reach the right audience, help clients communicate, and develop an organizations identity, among many other responsibilities. The pay for this job is substantial, and the highest 10% of the career can earn more than $205,000. Job outlook is decent, with an expected rise of 7%, placing the career right alongside the national average.
Technical Writer	Average salary: $69,850
There are many complex machines and technologies in our modern world. How are we supposed to figure it all out? With the help of technical writers, we just might stand a chance. These professionals determine the information needs of users and create documents that help people understand various types of technologies. These documents can be used across a wide range of platforms, including online and paper resources. Technical writing is difficult, and this is reflected in the pay. The average tech writer earns $69,850, while the top 10% average $111,260. Job growth is expected to be 10%, but technical writers will need lots of experience with both writing and handling technologies.
Writer & Author	Average salary: $61,240
This is probably the classic English major job. Fiction or nonfiction are just two of the different categories of work you can create as an author. In this career, you’ll get to choose subject matter, conduct research (even if it’s fiction), create scripts, present initial drafts, and work with editors to refine and revise your content. Writers and authors average over $61,240 a year, but the top 10% can earn a sizable income, averaging $118,000. Although the job growth will only be 2%, which is slower than average, this is a popular career that gives you the opportunity to become a star in the writing industry. Job growth is expected to be 6%, which is right around the national average.
High School Teacher	Average salary: $58,030
Few people have English major jobs that are as challenging and rewarding as the high school teacher. Preparing students for life after graduation, teachers provide lessons on many different subjects, which can include English and writing. The average teacher in America makes roughly $58,030, while the top 10% earn over $92,000 a year. Job growth is expected to be 6%, making it a steady career choice. An English degree will give you initial preparation, but you’ll need to complete licensing and certifications to apply.
Public Relations Specialist	Average salary: $58,020
When you think of public relations, you might think of marketing and advertising. While that certainly applies, public relations specialists also need to communicate effectively, which often meant creating written content. In many cases, a PR specialist will write and edit articles that will help shape the public image of a company. The average PR specialist makes over $58,000 a year, while the top 10% will earn over $110,000. At 6%, job growth is expected to be steady, making this one of the top jobs for English majors.
Librarian	Average salary: $57,680
Even in the modern digital world, librarians are still needed. Librarians can help patrons with research, teach classes about information technologies, and organize library materials. They may also be tasked with developing and implementing databases or researching new books to add to the library’s collection. Librarians earn an average over $57,000, while the top 10% can bring in roughly $90,000 a year. To be a librarian, you’ll eventually need a master’s degree in library science, which is complemented by an English degree. With an expected job growth of 2%, opportunities may be a slightly limited in the future.
Editor	Average salary: $57,210
This job will have many different responsibilities beyond reviewing copy. An editor may review for spelling and grammar, but they can also rewrite text, verify facts, evaluate submissions, and assign articles to specific writers. In many cases, they will act as a manager for a writing team. At $57,210 a year, this is already one of the best-paying jobs for English majors, but the top 10% can make an average of $111,610 a year. To work as an editor, you’ll likely need extensive experience writing for yourself or for others. You’ll want to start by finding a quality copywriting job or similar work to start down this path.
Paralegal	Average salary: $49,500
If you think of the legal profession, you probably think of law school, but many people in the field have bachelor’s degrees that include English, which helps legal workers communicate effectively. This job assists lawyers by researching facts, investigating laws, organizing documents, and (especially for English majors) writing reports to help trial preparations. This English major job has an average income of $49,500, placing it well above the national average for yearly salaries. Experienced and effective paralegals in the top 10% of the pay scale bring in $80,260, and growth is expected to be a steady 8%.
Interpreter & Translator	Average salary: $46,120
For this career, you’ll obviously need fluency in another language, such as Spanish or Mandarin Chinese, or Arabic, but an English major will help you better understand the structure of language and make you a more effective communicator. In this job, you will convert information from one language to another. As an interpreter, you will work with the spoken language, while translators work with written language (think transcripts). People in this profession bring in an average of $46,120, but the top 10% will average over $83,000. With continuing globalization, the demand for this profession is expected to skyrocket, rising 29% from 2014 to 2024, making it one of the most promising English major careers.