This article is our latest study on the Highest-paying English jobs / English majors.
You’ve got a personality, you’re funny, and you love words. You have something to say, but that doesn’t mean everyone wants to hear it. Don’t worry though—there’s a ton of demand for people who can use the English language in a professional way.
As an English major, you can get into some of the highest-paying jobs for English majors?
Here is a list of 15 high-paying jobs for English majors that you can easily find with an English degree.
Here is a video summary based on this article.
Table of Contents
#15. English Teacher
- Source: ZipRecruiter
- Low Range: $23,500 per year
- High Range: $62k per year
- Median Pay: $44,519 per year
English teachers teach students English as a second language. They also teach students how to write, speak and read effectively.
Typically, English teachers must earn a bachelor’s degree in English literature or education to secure a teaching job. In addition, an English teacher usually needs to pass state certification tests.
Most employers require an English teacher to have at least two years of experience teaching the language. Those who want to teach at the college level need a master’s degree in English literature or a related field.
The BLS predicts that employment for high school teachers will grow by 8% from 2020-to 2030.
English teachers work in schools and colleges across the country, helping students learn and communicate effectively.
#14. Grant Writer
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $38k per year
- High Range: $71k per year
- Median Pay: $49,720 per year
Grant writers are responsible for researching potential funding sources and crafting proposals that meet each funder’s requirements.
The educational requirements for a grant writer vary by employer, but it is typically necessary to have at least a bachelor’s degree. A background in journalism, communications, or social services is helpful. You also need to have solid writing skills to break into this field.
Grant writers earn an average salary of $50k per year. However, their salaries can range from $38k to $71k per year, depending on experience, location and industry.
Grant writers generally need at least one year of professional experience in their field before they can be expected to write successful proposals. They should be comfortable using a computer and researching online.
Most grant writers work in offices in the non-profit or public sectors. However, some contract grant writers may be able to work from home.
#13. Paralegal
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $35k per year
- High Range: $75k per year
- Median Pay: $51,166 per year
As a paralegal, you will be responsible for assisting lawyers with client communication, drafting and filing legal documents, managing case files, and researching. You may also be asked to help with client intake calls and visits and will be expected to exhibit the highest degree of professionalism.
Many employers prefer applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a legal field or paralegal studies.
The median annual wage for paralegals is about $51,166.
While not required by all employers, many expect their paralegals to have prior experience in the legal field. This can be demonstrated through experience in administrative roles at law offices or internships.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for this position is “stable,.”
Paralegals typically work in law offices or law firms but may also work for large corporations or government agencies that require support staff with legal expertise.
#12. Librarian
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $37k per year
- High Range: $71k per year
- Median Pay: $51,318 per year
They help keep your local library stocked with the books, DVDs, CDs, and music you want.
With their expertise in library science, they help patrons use computers, access materials, and create a home library. They also help researchers use the resources of a special collections library or a local university library.
Librarians work in schools, public libraries, community centers, and other nonprofit organizations.
They are often found working as part-time staff members at local libraries, but many work in higher education settings.
According to Payscale, librarians can expect to earn an average annual base salary of $51,318.
#11. Editor
- Source: ZipRecruiter
- Low Range: $12,500 per year
- High Range: $95k per year
- Median Pay: $52,756 per year
Editors are part of the publishing process in a variety of different venues. An editor ensures that the written language is free from any error or omission.
Editors work with both print and digital publications and may be responsible for proofreading and copyediting both written and visual content.
The educational requirements for an editor vary depending on the publication’s size and content. Most editors have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, communications, or a related field. An editor may also need to complete an internship at a publication as part of their educational requirements.
Editors earn an average annual salary of $$52,756.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts strong job growth in this field through 2030.
The majority of editors work in newspapers, magazines, book publishers, or other media outlets.
#10. Social Media Manager
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $36k per year
- High Range: $81k per year
- Median Pay: $52,855 per year
A social media manager is responsible for building and maintaining a brand’s reputation. This involves creating content for multiple social networks, monitoring trends in the industry and pop culture, and engaging with the public on social media.
Companies prefer applicants with at least a bachelor’s degree in a field related to communication or marketing. You may also need some experience working on social media platforms.
Critical thinking and top-notch research skills may make a difference in this field.
The average salary for a social media manager is $52,855 per year. However, the salary can vary depending on your education and experience level.
Social media managers typically work in an office setting, but they may also work remotely or from home. The job outlook is positive, with many companies looking to hire new employees every year.
#9. Copywriter
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $39k per year
- High Range: $77k per year
- Median Pay: $54,061 per year
Copywriters are professionals who write copy for marketing campaigns and projects.
Copywriters typically have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, English, or a similar field. They may also have a degree in business administration as they work closely with clients and companies to create targeted messaging that generates interest and revenue.
Most employers prefer to hire candidates with at least one year of professional experience. However, many copywriters begin their careers by completing internships or entry-level positions with advertising agencies or marketing firms.
The median annual salary for copywriters is $54,061. Copywriters generally work in offices where they can collaborate with other creative professionals like graphic designers, web developers, and social media managers. Some positions may be remote.
#8. Interpreter & Translator
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $27k per year
- High Range: $150k per year
- Median Pay: $59,931 per year
An interpreter or translator helps people who speak different languages communicate with each other.
They must be proficient in both English and a second language. They usually have an area of expertise, such as legal terminology or medical jargon, that they have studied extensively.
These professionals have excellent communication skills. They earn a median salary of $59,931 per year.
Translators generally spend more time in the office than interpreters do and have more opportunities to work independently.
Interpreters are often called upon to speak at international conferences or do simultaneous interpreting for international dignitaries while they’re on tours.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects job opportunities for interpreters and translators to grow by 24% from 2020 to 2030.
#7. Brand Strategist
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $45k per year
- High Range: $107k per year
- Median Pay: $65,044 per year
Brand Strategists are on the front line to make sure that companies and organizations can effectively communicate with their audiences.
They work with clients to translate their values and goals into a clear, consistent, and easily accessible message that they can share across all of their platforms, both online and offline.
While there is no set educational requirement for becoming a brand strategist, having a background in marketing or communications will certainly give you an edge when applying for jobs in this field.
According to PayScale, brand strategists earn an average of $65,044 per year in base pay but can make significantly more depending on how long they have worked in the field.
Experience is key. Most organizations want someone who has worked as a brand strategist for at least five years before joining their team.
Brand strategists often find opportunities at advertising agencies, public relations firms, or larger companies with either an in-house marketing team or a dedicated marketing department.
#6. Advertising Manager
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $38k per year
- High Range: $102k per year
- Median Pay: $ 65,923 per year
An advertising manager is responsible for overseeing the creation and distribution of advertisements for their company or client. These marketing managers usually work for advertising agencies, although a particular company may employ some to manage the marketing efforts for their products or services.
Advertising managers are often required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in advertising, marketing, business management, communications, or a related field. Most positions also require experience in an advertising role and effective communication skills, so it is advisable to seek out internships while pursuing your education.
The job outlook for these marketing managers is expected to grow faster than average, with 10% growth by 2030—which means more opportunities to advance within your field!
#5. User Experience Writer
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $35k per year
- High Range: $157k per year
- Median Pay: $73,195 per year
User experience writers craft the words that help guide a user through a company’s products. The job is an amalgam of technical writing, marketing, and human-centered design.
A UX writer is responsible for creating all the user-facing content across products. This includes error messages, pop-up boxes, and other content in the user interface.
They also write things like customer service responses and content on websites or blogs. A UX writer must be able to work with different teams, such as engineers and marketers, to ensure that the product delivers what it promises in the way it promises it. They also need to create good calls to action to drive marketing goals.
UX writers typically earn between $35k-$157k per year, depending on location and experience.
A bachelor’s degree in technical writing, English, journalism, or other related fields is usually required but not always.
Employers are more interested in candidates with a portfolio of work they can review than they are candidates who have impressive degrees. Candidates who have experience working as technical writers or editors make desirable candidates for UX writing positions.
The demand for UX writers has grown over the last three years.
#4. Public Relations Manager
- Source: ZipRecruiter
- Low Range: $24,500 per year
- High Range: $145,500 per year
- Median Pay: $78,391 per year
Public relations managers are responsible for managing the public image of a company, organization, or celebrity. They are often in charge of creating press releases and other content to be published by the company and fielding requests from media outlets that wish to interview their clients.
They must generally have a bachelor’s degree in a field like public relations, communications, or journalism. They typically need several years’ experience working as a public relations specialist before moving on to the manager role.
Public relations managers can expect to earn $478 per year, as projected by Glassdoor.com. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the job outlook for public relations managers to grow by 11% between 2020 and 2030.
Public relations managers work in various industries, including advertising, public relations firms, media organizations such as newspapers and television stations, and nonprofit organizations.
#3. Technical Writer
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $40k per year
- High Range: $157k per year
- Median Pay: $78,506 per year
Technical writers are an important part of any organization. They simplify complex information to make it easy for the general public to understand. They create user manuals, how-to guides, and other documents that help users understand complicated systems and allow for better usage.
The educational requirement for technical writers is a Bachelor’s degree in a field such as Communications, English, or Technical writing. Many technical writing positions require experience in the field and strong writing skills, which you can gain through internships or freelance work while you’re studying.
A technical writer’s average salary is $78,506 per year, according to data from Glassdoor. Salary varies based on location, experience level, and industry.
They typically work in an office setting creating content for websites, user manuals, and other documentation designed to explain complex ideas in simple terms.
#2. Lawyer
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $53k per year
- High Range: $157k per year
- Median Base Pay: $87,589 per year
Lawyers are the people who help you figure out the rules and laws that make your life better. They’re the ones who make sure you’re legally protected from harm and that any legal disputes you have are resolved in a way that is fair to everyone involved.
The educational requirement varies. Most law schools require a bachelor’s degree (and sometimes even a master’s degree), while some require that you have a working knowledge of the law. You should have strong communication skills to be a successful lawyer.
Most lawyers have at least three to five years of work experience before entering the profession.
Lawyers earned an annual median pay of $ 152,430 as of Dec 2021, according to Glassdoor.
#1. Medical Writer
- Source: ZipRecruiter
- Low Range: $43k per year
- High Range: $164k per year
- Median Pay: $95,796 per year
Medical writers play an important role in the healthcare industry. They generally work alongside physicians, scientists, and other medical professionals to create written content that is accurate, easy to understand, and helpful.
Medical writers can work in various jobs, including writing textbook chapters and journal articles, creating patient education materials, or writing scripts for documentaries or other media.
Employers of medical writers typically require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a field such as biomedical science, pharmacy, or nursing. However, most employers prefer applicants with advanced degrees in these fields. Experience with writing is also helpful.
According to data from Glassdoor, the median annual wage for medical writers was $95,796 as of Dec 2021.
Conclusion
It is a good idea to go with a major that has practical applications in the real world, and that is in demand. English degrees can be valuable for those looking for careers in teaching, journalism, communications, etc. We hope our list of the highest-paying jobs for English majors was helpful.
Similar articles
- 10 Highest Paying Genetics Jobs You Might Not Know
- 10 Highest Paying Biochemistry Jobs You Might Not Know
- 10 Highest Paying Business Jobs You Might Not Know
- 10 Highest Paying Chemical Engineering Jobs to Consider
- 10 Highest Paying Chemistry Jobs to Consider
References
[3] https://www.ziprecruiter.com/
[4] https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/index.htm
