The linguistics field is incredibly diverse, intersecting with a variety of areas including speech and hearing science, engineering, computer science, sociology, psychology, philosophy, neurology, foreign language study, and anthropology.
As a result, a linguistics degree offers a foundation for a variety of careers.
Studying linguistics helps develop numerous critical skills including oral and written communication, data analysis and collection, argumentation, problem-solving, and critical and analytical thinking.
As a linguistics student, you become familiar with numerous cultures and languages and foster cross-cultural skills.
Each skill is useful in different career paths that may not seem related to the linguistics field.
If this sounds like a career path you are interested in taking, keep reading to better understand why you should become a linguist!
With so many opportunities in so many fields, becoming a linguist can open many career doors.
The following are the most common positions a student with a linguistics degree can pursue:
1. Linguist
Why Become a Linguist?
With an average annual salary of $57,000 and a job outlook of 24% growth, linguists are in a lucrative and growing field, with job security.
In addition to being able to enter the careers listed in this article, linguists can proceed with advanced MA and Ph.D. degrees in a variety of diverse disciplines.
Additionally, linguists can work in education, teach English to non-native speakers, become a professor, work in language documentation, teach a foreign language, work as a translator, and have a lucrative career in the publishing industry.
| Linguist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $58,400 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $28.08 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 24% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Linguist
2. Language Translator
Why Become a Language Translator?
As a language translator, you have a job outlook for 22% growth.
Many choose this field because it allows them to capitalize on language skills and maintain them through constant use.
Also, many prospective translators enjoy learning more about their native language and diverse cultures across the globe.
Additionally, language translators have a unique insight and perspective into a different culture, which makes them more worldly.
| Language Translator Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $58,400 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $28.08 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 22% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Language Translator
3. College Professor
Why Become a College Professor?
Becoming a college professor offers linguists the chance to shape future generations while pursuing their passion.
It also has excellent job security and is not the typical 9-to-5 career.
Also, most college professors report working in an enjoyable environment that fosters lifelong learning in a rewarding job function allowing for personal and student growth.
| College Professor Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $92,200 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 11% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a College Professor
4. Technical Writer
Why Become a Technical Writer?
Many linguists opt to become technical writers because it allows them to utilize language skills creatively while making a high annual salary of around $77,000.
Also, the technical writing field allows linguists to utilize a unique skill set without requiring a technical background or bachelor’s degree, although it helps.
| Technical Writer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $81,470 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $39.17 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 10.9% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Technical Writer
5. Audiologist
Why Become an Audiologist?
Audiology is an exciting career path that allows linguists to help those with balance and hearing issues.
Audiologists focus on fixing and preventing issues by advising on the best possible hearing healthcare and better safety protocols for their patients.
Those in this profession strive to help give others the chance to effectively communicate with their friends and families.
| Audiologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $86,050 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $41.37 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 16% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Audiologist
6. Interpreter
Why Become an Interpreter?
Interpreters rely heavily on their language training to translate spoken information or content between languages.
In addition to boasting a growth potential of a whopping 42%, interpreters are assigned interesting and varied work where they can influence a variety of negotiations, discussions, speeches, press conferences, and other scenarios.
There is always a high need for interpreters in government and large corporate roles.
| Interpreter Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $58,400 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $28.08 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 42% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Interpreter
7. Psychologist
Why Become a Psychologist?
Becoming a psychologist from the linguistics field, allows students to help conduct scientific studies on behavior and mental states.
Also, psychologists are published in scientific journals for their extensive research efforts, which offers a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment.
Psychologists also enjoy careers that can greatly help the public through education.
| Psychologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $58,400 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $28.08 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 14% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Psychologist
8. Speech Writer
Why Become a Speech Writer?
Speech writing is an interesting field that involves professional linguists writing a speech for everyone from CEOs to heads of state.
A speechwriter makes around $74,000 per year and has a job outlook of 6%.
Many linguists enter the speech writing field for their love of the native language and the ability to help high-level individuals effectively communicate valuable information.
Also, speechwriters have access to top-decision makers who shape ideas and policies to improve their companies or the world.
| Speech Writer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $81,120 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $39.00 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 6% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Speech Writer
9. Teacher
Why Become a Teacher?
With over three million teachers in the United States, teaching is a creative and diverse profession that allows linguists to have a career with meaning, which helps others learn and succeed in life.
Since teachers interact with students daily, they can help discover new and important ideas and facts, while influencing the student’s life.
Most of all, teachers get paid to share their love of learning with others.
| Teacher Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $67,080 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 3% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Teacher
10. Speech Pathologist
Why Become a Speech Pathologist?
Given the diversity of the linguistics field, speech pathology is another popular career choice because it allows students to be effective in the life of every patient and improve the literacy of those that hold a lower socioeconomic status.
Speech pathologists also like the ability to specialize in various areas across multiple settings, teach others and help children.
Furthermore, the speech pathology field allows professionals to grow since every case is different.
| Speech Pathologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $85,820 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $41.26 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 27% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Speech Pathologist
11. Speech Therapist
Why Become a Speech Therapist?
Given the diversity of the linguistics field, speech pathology is another popular career choice because it allows students to be effective in the life of every patient and improve the literacy of those that hold a lower socioeconomic status.
Speech pathologists also like the ability to specialize in various areas across multiple settings, teach others and help children.
Furthermore, the speech pathology field allows professionals to grow since every case is different.
| Speech Therapist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $85,820 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $41.26 |
| Education | 1-2 Years |
| Outlook | 21% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Speech Therapist
12. Social Worker
Why Become a Social Worker?
With a great annual income of $61,000, most social workers are not in it for the money.
They use their linguistics skills to help and communicate with others.
Many enter the field with the idea that everyone matters and they help give a voice to someone who cannot be heard.
Social workers also like the constant scope change of the social work field and the major challenge of problem-solving that few other careers offer.
| Social Worker Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $63,010 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $30.29 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 8.3% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Social Worker
13. Author
Why Become an Author?
The average author salary is around $73,000 because they are creators and possess unique skills.
Many authors are linguists at heart or academically and enter the field to tell stories and make readers feel more alive.
All authors are enthusiastic about their work and becoming a professional author allows them to earn an income for that writing appetite.
Additionally, most authors experience life more deeply and can bring meaning to the world.
| Author Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $81,120 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $39.00 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 7.6% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Author
