A degree in history is an ideal course of study for career paths involving research and critical thinking. Being analytical and informed about past events are attractive qualities to many employers. You will be surprised to know the possible jobs for history majors that are waiting for you.
History careers are typically associated with academia, museums, and archeology. In reality, there are various job opportunities you might not expect that are possible with a history degree. With solid core skills, you can use your knowledge of history for a multitude of professions. Find out more about the best jobs for history majors below.
What Is a History Major?
A history major examines past events and aims to understand a society’s context during a specific period. You will be doing a lot of research work while pursuing a history degree, and will develop strong writing skills. Analytical skills are also integral in completing your history studies to remain critical and avoid bias in your research.
A degree in history can also provide you with the right tools and techniques so that your studies produce sound, reliable outcomes. History graduates often have foreign language skills related to their field of study. Having a wide range of knowledge through a history degree allows you to work locally and internationally.
How to Become a Historian: History Education Options
Professional historians receive intensive training through years of study and research. The study of history covers historical events as well as current events. Aside from your formal academic training, you must remain conscious about what is happening in the world.
If you are seriously considering pursuing a history degree, you will need to decide the educational path you want to take. For example, do you want to study to be a historian or use your background in history in other disciplines? Whatever your decision, you can earn an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree at many different universities to get started.
History Associate Degree
You can take on an associate degree in history under the Associate of Arts (AA) program. The concentration is usually on US history and civilization, where students analyze historical events through economic, political, and social perspectives. You can complete the two-year course and have your credits transferred to a bachelor’s degree program.
Best Associate Degree Programs in History
- Associate of Arts, Social Studies and History – Southwestern College (California)
- Associate of Arts, Social Studies and History (American History) – Xavier University (Ohio)
- Associate of Arts, Social Studies and History (American History) – Western Wyoming Community College
- Associate of Arts, Social Studies and History (American History) – Western Texas College
- Associate of Arts, Social Studies and History (American History) – West Valley College (California)
History Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree in history is a four-year course of study that develops your research, writing, analytical, and communication skills. Undergraduate degree history programs train you for jobs in law, education, nonprofit organizations, archiving, and more. You can also combine your history degree with other disciples depending on the career that you want.
Best Bachelor’s Degree Programs in History
- Bachelor of Arts in History – Northeastern Illinois University
- Bachelor of Arts in History – University of Redlands
- Bachelor of Arts in History – University of Nebraska Kearney
- Bachelor of Arts in History – University of North Alabama
- Bachelor of Arts in Art and History & Global Cultures – California State University
History Master’s Degree
A history master’s degree is worth it if you intend to delve deeper into research work. A master’s degree is required before an advanced degree, such as a doctoral degree or Ph.D. A graduate degree in history can be combined with sociology, political science, and anthropology to further develop your analytical and interpretational skills for a higher level of study.
Best Master’s Degree Programs in History
- Master of Arts in History – Tufts University
- Master of Arts in Global, International, & Comparative History – Georgetown University
- Master of Arts in History – The University of Texas at Dallas
- Master of Arts in History – University of North Alabama
- Master of Arts in History – Georgia Southern University
History Career Overview: Is a History Career Worth It?
History Job Outlook
According to a report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the projected growth rate of employment for history degree holders is between four to 21 percent depending on the specific field. The industries employing history graduates include education, business, legal, and sales. The job outlook is solid, with 21 percent in postsecondary education-related jobs and 11 percent for business analysts.
History Salaries
The same report by BLS showed that the median wage for history major graduates is $57,000, which is relatively close to the annual salaries for all fields at $59,000. The median salaries for other careers differ based on the level of expertise required in the field. Jobs that require advanced degrees tend to earn more than those for bachelor’s degree holders.
Best Jobs for History Majors: What Can You Do with a History Degree?
Many different job opportunities utilize the same set of skills initially acquired in the history field. History degree jobs are not limited to the history field itself, but can be found in many other disciplines. For every level of education that you have attained, there is a matching career opportunity.
Best Jobs for History Associate Degree Grads
| Job Title | Recommended School | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Journalist | North Iowa Area Community College | $127,370 |
| Editorial Assistant | South Texas College | $126,800 |
| Technical Writer | Delaware County Community College | $119,040 |
| Teacher Assistant | Central Wyoming College | $44,290 |
| Customer Service Representative | Georgia Northwestern Technical College | $27.80 hourly |
Broadcast Journalist
- Average Salary: $49,300
- Job Outlook: six percent
A broadcast journalist may work as a news writer, television anchor, or reporter. Aside from the daily reports where you showcase your writing and research skills, you can also do special investigations on specific historical topics and conduct informational interviews. Broadcast journalism is a field that challenges your creativity and resourcefulness in finding factual evidence.
Editorial Assistant
- Average Salary: $63,400
- Job Outlook: five percent
If you have writing and editing skills, you can work as an editorial assistant to review and revise content for specific publications. Magazines, textbooks, and other written materials require your technical writing skills to check grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Additionally, having a historical background can make it easier for you to conduct proper fact-checking.
Technical Writer
- Average Salary: $74,650
- Job Outlook: 12 percent
A technical writer works on writing and creating content for manuals, guides, and journal publications. You can specialize in a history-themed publication as a technical writer or work on other types of disciplines with familiar subjects.
Teacher Assistant
- Average Salary: $28,900
- Job Outlook: nine percent
A teacher assistant works with a licensed teacher in an elementary school, middle school, or high school. You handle general tasks like preparing lessons and supervising students. As a history graduate, you may have to fulfill teaching hours by conducting classes on certain historical subjects.
Customer Service Representative
- Average Salary: $17.23 hourly
- Job Outlook: No Change
A customer service representative provides resolution and processes orders for customers of a specific product. Soft skills and communication skills acquired during your two-year history associate degree could be helpful for this job. Additionally, if the product is somehow related to history, such as certain brands or books, you can use your expertise to gain customers’ trust.
Best Jobs for History Bachelor’s Degree Grads
| Job Title | Recommended School | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | University of Pennsylvania | $208,000 |
| Public Relations Specialist | University of Southern California | $118,210 |
| Academic Researcher | Northeastern Illinois University | $110,910 |
| Elementary Teacher | University of North Alabama | $100,480 |
| Academic Librarian | University of Washington | $97,460 |
Lawyer
- Average Salary: $126,390
- Job Outlook: nine percent
History is an ideal and popular pre-law degree due to the relevant skills developed through years of study. In law school, you need to have good research and investigative skills that you will learn through a history degree. You can also work at a law firm with your history degree as a paralegal or legal assistant.
Public Relations Specialist
- Average Salary: $62,810
- Job Outlook: 11 percent
A public relations specialist is in charge of protecting the image of an organization and is involved in producing media content. With training in history, you will have the necessary communication skills to represent that organization. Also, if your firm is related to history, such as a research institute or a museum, you can develop educational programs to attract patrons.
Academic Researcher
- Average Salary: $59,870
- Job Outlook: four percent*
An academic researcher works on data and information, including designing surveys and conducting data analysis. History is a facts-based discipline that requires accurate data, so your training is helpful for different types of studies. Your task is to investigate the validity of events and trace historical trends through the available information, then submit the work for publication.
* Job outlook data used is under Survey Researchers on BLS.
Elementary or Secondary School Teacher
- Average Salary: $60,940
- Job Outlook: seven percent
History is one of the main subjects taught in elementary and secondary school. You can apply for a position as a history teacher, though you might need to secure teaching credits first. Additionally, a history teacher is in charge of curating events for schools, especially during a commemoration of an important historical event.
Academic Librarian
- Average Salary: $60,820
- Job Outlook: nine percent
An academic librarian works in schools, universities, or public libraries to look after books and databases. The library is not limited to history books, but you can extend your multidisciplinary knowledge to general librarian tasks. You are in charge of researching reviews and in-demand books for certain subjects and collate archives from influential magazine or newspaper snippets.
Best Jobs for History Master’s Degree Grads
| Job Title | Recommended Bootcamp | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Education Administrator | Michigan State University | $199,400 |
| Postsecondary Teacher | University of Wisconsin | $179,540 |
| Policy Officer | The George Washington University | $170,800 |
| Archeologist | University of California – Berkeley | $102,770 |
| Archivist | Rochester Institute of Technology | $91,800 |
Education Administrator
- Average Salary: $97,500
- Job Outlook: eight percent
An education administrator is one of the higher-level positions in a school or university setting. Your extensive training as a history student and professional qualifies you to supervise students and faculty. Some of your responsibilities include meeting with other faculty members and school officials to plan how to attract new students and studying data to create better admission strategies.
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Postsecondary Teacher (History Professor)
- Average Salary: $80,560
- Job Outlook: 12 percent
A history professor works in a university or college to teach general history subjects as part of the curriculum. You are also the primary faculty handling all history majors, including providing mentorship for thesis writing. For your personal growth, you must frequently produce high-quality research for publication.
Policy Officer
- Average Salary: $125,350
- Job Outlook: nine percent*
A policy officer works in government institutions to provide valuable ideas related to politics and government planning. A history major fits the bill of a policy officer because you know of past political and economic events. Moreover, your research experience allows you to use your skills in forecasting social, economic, and political trends.
* Job outlook data used is under Political Scientist in BLS.
Archeologist
- Average Salary: $66,130
- Job Outlook: seven percent
An archeologist is involved in the scientific and historical study of the origins of living and non-living beings, from individual humans to entire cultures. Since history majors study people and cultures, working as an archeologist or anthropologist is ideal. You can plan historical projects, work on the field at historical sites, and collect data to analyze and interpret.
Archivist
- Average Salary: $52,140
- Job Outlook: 19 percent
An archivist usually works in museums to appraise and preserve historical artifacts. Having trained in history and gained historical analysis skills, you will have a background understanding on notable pieces. However, you might need to take extra courses to gain other archiving abilities, such as the science of properly preserving valuable historical documents or items.
Three Final Tips to Get a Job in History
- Excel in Your Studies. There are many technical skills to learn in a history program, especially when it comes to research and investigation. Make the most out of your college degree and related training and ensure that you have a strong understanding of the different historical disciplines.
- Gain Experience Through Internship. Having relevant experience at an internship level improves your professional training, even just as a student. You can also go for volunteer opportunities in museum events or other activities related to your desired profession.
- Hone Your Research and Investigative Skills. Social sciences like history put significant emphasis on research, so you need to take your training seriously. Being curious and having the right tools and techniques can vastly increase your competitive advantage.
History is a rich subject filled with a multitude of disciplines to learn and understand to gain a better perspective of the human condition. It is a flexible liberal arts degree that can prepare you for various career opportunities. You can even find strong history degree programs online.
In the future job market, there appear to be more opportunities for new jobs that directly or indirectly relate to history. Figuring out what you want early can help you plan the correct educational path and course of study to provide you with valuable skills to pursue your dream career.
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