What Can You Do With an English Degree? Jobs, Salaries & Career Paths

English Degree Overview

English remains a foundational liberal arts degree, with approximately 42,000 bachelor's degrees awarded annually. While enrollment has declined from its peak in the early 2010s, the career prospects for English graduates have actually diversified and improved thanks to the digital content economy.

The BLS reports that writers and authors earn a median salary of $72,270 with 4% growth projected through 2034. But this single statistic undersells the English degree's reach. English graduates work as UX writers at tech companies ($90,000–$140,000), content strategists at marketing firms ($75,000–$120,000), technical writers ($80,750), editors ($73,080), and in law, education, publishing, and business roles where analytical writing and critical thinking are valued.

The irony of the English degree in 2026: as AI generates more content, the ability to think critically, write with nuance, and communicate complex ideas clearly has become more valuable, not less. Employers increasingly seek graduates who can do what AI cannot—exercise judgment, build narrative, and understand human context.

Writing and Content Career Paths

1. Content Strategist / Content Marketing Manager

Content strategists plan, create, and optimize content that drives business goals. Salaries range from $65,000 to $120,000, with senior strategists at tech companies earning more. English majors' ability to analyze audiences, craft narratives, and maintain brand voice is directly applicable.

2. UX Writer / Content Designer

UX writers craft the words users see in digital products—buttons, error messages, onboarding flows, and help content. Tech companies pay $90,000–$140,000 for experienced UX writers. This rapidly growing field values the precision and empathy that English programs cultivate.

3. Technical Writer

Technical writers create documentation, user guides, and instructional materials. The BLS reports a median salary of $80,750 with 4% growth. English graduates who develop technical subject-matter knowledge (software, engineering, healthcare) are especially competitive.

4. Editor

Editors plan, review, and revise content for publication. The BLS reports a median of $73,080 with 4% growth. Digital editing roles at media companies, publishers, and content platforms are increasingly remote-friendly.

5. Copywriter

Copywriters create persuasive text for advertisements, websites, and marketing materials. Salaries range from $50,000 to $85,000 for agency and in-house positions, with senior creative directors earning well into six figures. Advertising agencies and marketing departments actively recruit English graduates.

6. Grant Writer

Grant writers prepare proposals for nonprofits and research institutions seeking funding. Salaries range from $50,000 to $80,000, with experienced grant writers at large organizations earning more. English majors' persuasive writing and research skills are essential for this role.

7. Journalist / Reporter

Journalists research and report news across print, digital, and broadcast media. Median salary is $57,500 with limited growth in traditional media, though digital journalism, newsletter publishing, and specialized business reporting offer stronger prospects.

Professional Career Paths for English Majors

8. Attorney (with law degree)

English is consistently one of the top pre-law majors, with English graduates posting among the highest LSAT scores of any major. Attorneys earn a median of $145,760 with 5% growth. The analytical reading, argumentative writing, and research skills developed in English programs directly prepare students for legal education.

9. Marketing Manager

English graduates who develop business and digital marketing skills can advance to marketing management, earning a median of $156,580. The ability to craft brand narratives and lead content teams is increasingly valued in marketing leadership.

10. Public Relations Specialist

PR specialists manage organizational reputation through media relations and public communications. Median salary is $69,780 with 5% growth. English majors' writing versatility and media literacy make them strong PR candidates.

11. High School English Teacher

With teacher certification, English graduates can teach secondary school. Median salary for high school teachers is $65,220. While teaching salaries are often cited as a weakness, benefits, pensions, summers off, and job stability provide significant total compensation value. Many states offer alternative certification pathways.

12. College Professor (with Ph.D.)

Tenure-track English professors at four-year institutions earn $70,000–$100,000+, though the academic job market is highly competitive. Adjunct positions offer flexibility but significantly lower pay. A Ph.D. in English typically takes 5–7 years.

13. Librarian (with MLIS)

Librarians organize information and assist patrons in libraries, archives, and research institutions. Median salary is $64,370 with 3% growth. A Master's in Library and Information Science is required. Digital librarian and data management roles are growing.

14. Human Resources Specialist

HR specialists leverage interpersonal and communication skills in recruitment, employee relations, and training. Median salary is $67,650 with 6% growth. English graduates' written communication skills are valued in policy writing, employee handbooks, and organizational communications.

15. Publishing Professional

Publishing roles span editorial, acquisitions, rights management, and digital publishing. Entry-level salaries start at $40,000–$50,000, with senior editors and publishers earning $70,000–$120,000+. The publishing industry has stabilized after digital disruption and offers meaningful careers for book lovers.

English Degree Career Salary Comparison

Is an English Degree Worth It in 2026?

An English degree is worth it for students who leverage it strategically. Georgetown CEW data shows English majors earn a median of $53,000 at midcareer with a bachelor's alone—lower than business or STEM fields but comparable to other liberal arts degrees and above several social science fields.

The degree's value increases dramatically when combined with practical skills or graduate education. English majors who transition to UX writing, content strategy, or technical writing earn $80,000–$140,000. Those who attend law school access a median salary of $145,760. Teachers gain stability, benefits, and pension income.

The English degree's greatest strength is training in critical analysis, argumentation, and clear writing—skills that are genuinely difficult to automate and valued across professional contexts. In an era of AI-generated content, the ability to think originally and write with human insight has become a competitive advantage rather than a commodity.

English and Law School

English is one of the strongest pre-law majors. English majors consistently rank among the top scorers on the LSAT, which is the primary admissions criterion for law schools. The LSAT tests reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and analytical writing—all core competencies developed throughout an English program.

If law school is a potential path, English provides an excellent foundation without limiting your options if you decide against legal education. The research, writing, and analytical skills transfer directly to many other careers.

Skills Employers Value From English Graduates

Analytical Writing: The ability to construct clear, persuasive arguments supported by evidence is English graduates' signature skill. This transfers to legal writing, business communications, grant proposals, marketing copy, and technical documentation.

Critical Reading and Analysis: English majors learn to read deeply, identify assumptions, evaluate evidence, and synthesize complex texts. These skills are essential for research, consulting, legal work, and editorial roles.

Research Methodology: Literary research develops skills in source evaluation, information synthesis, and citation that apply to market research, legal research, journalism, and academic work.

Adaptability and Learning Agility: The breadth of an English education—spanning centuries of literature, multiple genres, and diverse perspectives—develops intellectual flexibility that helps English graduates adapt to new industries and roles quickly.

Empathy and Perspective-Taking: Studying literature from diverse voices and eras cultivates emotional intelligence and the ability to understand different viewpoints—valuable in management, UX research, counseling, HR, and any client-facing role.

Career Tips for English Majors

Build a writing portfolio immediately. Start a blog, contribute to publications, write case studies, or create sample work in your target genre (UX copy, marketing content, technical documentation). Portfolios matter more than transcripts for writing careers.

Learn one technical skill. HTML/CSS basics, SEO fundamentals, or a content management system (WordPress) transforms your career prospects. English plus one technical competency is a powerful combination that commands higher salaries.

Pursue internships aggressively. Publishing houses, PR agencies, content teams, newsrooms, and marketing departments offer internships that provide essential experience and professional connections.

Consider a professional minor or double major. Pairing English with business, computer science, communications, or a foreign language significantly broadens career options without diluting the core benefit of your English training.

Don't apologize for your major. In a world drowning in content but starving for quality, the skills English develops—critical thinking, clear writing, nuanced analysis—are more valuable than ever. Frame your abilities in terms of the business value they create.