Occupations of Humanities Majors, by Highest Degree Earned and Undergraduate Major, 2012

Humanities majors were less likely than those in most other fields to be employed in professional, managerial, or related occupations, but were the most likely (apart from those who majored in education) to work in the education field. Among humanities graduates whose highest degree was a bachelor’s degree, almost 12% were in education; among those who had gone on to earn an advanced degree, the share was 31%.

Approximately 18% of humanities graduates with terminal bachelor’s degrees and 36% with advanced degrees worked in “applied humanities” occupations that allow for direct application of knowledge and skills cultivated in the field. These include education-related jobs; museum and library occupations; writing, editing, and journalism occupations; and tour and travel guide jobs.