News & Trending Jobs & Career News

15 High-Paying Careers for Liberal Arts Majors

Liberal arts majors should not be swayed by the myth that their degree isn’t fit for a well-paying job.

african american female boss standing proudly in meeting room
Updated May 28, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

College students these days often feel pressure to go into fields that are deemed lucrative — such as business or STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). 

Liberal arts degrees are often shunned as a waste of money that’ll keep graduates living paycheck to paycheck for the rest of their lives. But there are plenty of jobs you can get with a liberal arts degree that can be both fulfilling and lucrative.

Here are 15 jobs where liberal arts majors can shine (and make a good living).

Technical writer

golubovy/Adobe content writer typing on laptop using keyboard

If you’ve got a knack for writing (and majored in something that involves a lot of it — like English or journalism), a career in technical writing can be a great match. It can also be a way to earn more money than other writing careers.

Technical writers usually translate complicated ideas into easier-to-understand text. They may work in technology or financial fields, and they make an average of $78,590 annually, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Graphic designer

Rawpixel.com/Adobe african american female graphic designer working on computer

Graphic designers use their artistic skills and creativity to generate visual components for brands or companies. They can be employed full-time at specific brands or agencies, or they can work on a freelance basis.

It’s a great gig for artistic types to express themselves, and on average, graphic designers make about $50,710 annually, according to BLS data.

Public relations specialist

foxyburrow/Adobe male colleagues sitting at table using laptop to explain data

People who work in public relations (PR) often have excellent writing and communication skills. Their job is to develop and maintain the public image of their clients, whether they are individuals or companies. Because they work largely around trending news cycles, their hours can vary quite a bit.

PR can be a lucrative gig for those who land a job with a prominent firm or build a strong client base on their own. The average annual salary is $62,800, according to BLS data.

Event planner

pressmaster/Adobe female event manager using checklist to examine crockery and decorations delivered by male movers

If you enjoy working with other people and don’t mind odd hours, event planning might be good for you. Event planning is a versatile industry. 

Planners may work for businesses, at hotels or conference centers, or work on a more freelance basis (like wedding planners often do).

Event planners make an annual salary of $49,470, according to BLS data.

Human resources specialist

Maria Korneeva/Adobe woman sitting at table talking on smartphone while reviewing different resume in hand

Human resources (HR) specialists are involved in many aspects of the workplace — from finding and recruiting talent to handling worker compensation, benefits, and more.

They often need to have very good organization and people skills. The BLS puts average salaries for HR specialists at $62,290 annually.

Pro tip: Many careers for liberal arts majors can be more volatile than science careers. You may want to put together an emergency fund just in case and keep it one of the best savings accounts available.

Social media manager

ronstik/Adobe male and female colleague using white board to explain social media strategy to each other

Social media managers use skills like writing, editing, design, and more to oversee a brand’s social media presence on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Their hours can fluctuate to follow real-time events, which makes it an ideal job for someone looking for more than a nine-to-five.

To collect data, the BLS lumps social media managers in with PR specialists (as the jobs are sometimes overlapping), and the average annual salary is $62,800.

Counselor

Monkey Business/Adobe male student sitting in college counselor room discussing mental health issues

Many counselors — no matter their specialty — are able to make use of skills learned in communication, psychology, and sociology courses.

The BLS lumps substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors together and puts the average salary at $48,520 annually. Some additional schooling (like a master’s degree) or certifications are needed for certain counseling positions.

Sociologist

StockPhotoPro/Adobe academic professor working in his office

Sociologists — who can make use of skills learned in sociology and psychology courses — study communities and behavior. They may work for research institutions, universities, or the government.

According to BLS data, sociologists make about $92,910 annually.

Teacher

Rawpixel.com/Adobe male teacher explaining geography using globe in classroom

As a teacher, you can not only enjoy some freedom in choosing what subject you want to teach, but you can also forgo the traditional nine-to-five schedule over the summer when school is out.

On average, teachers (for both high school and elementary school, including kindergarten) make over $61,000 annually, according to BLS data. Teachers with master’s degrees can earn more.

Journalist

wellphoto/Adobe female journalist holding mics while making notes for interview

The communication and writing skills learned from liberal arts courses can be used to pursue a career in journalism — and you get the freedom to choose an area of expertise, from politics to breaking news to lifestyle reporting.

The BLS lumps news analysts, reporters, and journalists together and puts the average annual salary at $48,370.

Advertising/marketing specialist

Gorodenkoff/Adobe project manager standing inside meeting room explaining ideas to colleagues

Creativity and communications skills are super useful for careers in advertising and marketing. These employees are usually involved in creating programs to generate interest in products, services, or businesses.

Pay can vary a great deal depending on where these specialists work. However, if you can rise through the ranks to a management position, the average salary is $133,380 annually, according to BLS data.

Art director

Gorodenkoff/Adobe colleagues creating animation using desktop computer at table

Art directors are incredibly creative individuals with expert design skills. They are involved in developing the visual style and images for publications, products, movie and TV productions, and more — and they can make good money doing this.

The BLS puts the average annual salary for an art director at $100,890.

Editor

Antonio Diaz/Adobe female translator working on a document

Editors need to utilize writing, organization, and fact-checking skills (all of which can be refined through liberal arts courses) to prepare content for publication. They may work for print magazines or newspapers, websites, and many other businesses.

On average, editors make about $63,350 annually, according to BLS data.

Copywriter

BullRun/Adobe male student sitting at table using laptop to make notes

Copywriters produce written text for advertising purposes. They may produce things like slogans and taglines or longer emails to promote products or businesses.

The BLS did not have statistics for exactly how much copywriters (specifically) make annually since they can technically fall under the writer or advertising/PR umbrellas. Indeed puts the average annual salary at $54,029.

Social worker

Seventyfour/Adobe african american female social worker talking to young female in office

Social workers also use several skills that are developed through liberal arts courses — like communication, knowledge of psychology and sociology, and more.

These employees may work for child welfare agencies, healthcare centers, or schools — and make an average of about $50,390 annually, according to BLS data. In some cases, social workers may need a master’s degree and a license to practice.

Bottom line

(JLco) Julia Amaral/Adobe smiling businesswoman using her smartphone while standing next to an office window

These are just 15 of so many jobs that liberal arts majors are well-prepared for. In reality, these skills can translate to many long-term careers.

People with excellent writing, communication, and other skills often find themselves doing better than average financially — completely dispelling the myth that there’s no place (and no money) for those who wish to pursue a passion outside of STEM or business.

Find Paying Caregiver Jobs in Your Area

Connect with families looking for child care, pet care, housekeeping, and more.

Join today
Earn Up to $75/Hour Working From Home

Free 3-class intro teaches you how to launch a bookkeeping business — avg. hourly rate for this skill is $75/hour.

Access the training
Earn Money Online by Taking Surveys

Get your share of $55,000 paid out daily to Survey Junkie users.

Sign up for free


Author Details

Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore

Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore is a seasoned freelance writer who also teaches writing courses at Rutgers University. She's based in Jersey City and enjoys travel, live music and, of course, spending quality time with her pup.