10 Careers for Linguistics Majors
How do babies learn to talk? Why do some languages include a past tense, while others do not? How do the words we use affect the way we think about the world?
These are just some of the fascinating questions linguistic majors explore during their studies. Over the course of this wide-ranging degree, they learn about all aspects of communication. They examine how languages vary across cultures, regions, and individuals. They develop knowledge about how it's acquired and used, where it is processed in the brain, and how it affects our interactions with each other. They also learn how to conduct research and model linguistic patterns computationally.
But linguistics majors gain more than just specialist knowledge during their studies. They also build transferrable skills in analytical reasoning, communication, and critical thinking. Finally, they gain awareness of the true importance of words—of how different ways of sharing concepts or ideas can produce wildly different results. Together, these qualities prepare them for a wide range of careers, in publishing, education, artificial intelligence, and beyond.
This article will be covering the following careers:
| Career | Avg Salary | Satisfaction | Your Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Translator | $44k | 3.2/5 | |
| Advertising Manager | $104k | 3.1/5 | |
| Technical Writer | $78k | 2.8/5 | |
| Audiologist | $98k | 2.8/5 | |
| Teacher | $40k | 3.1/5 | |
| Consultant | $93k | 3.3/5 | |
| American Sign Language Interpreter | $45k | 3.7/5 | |
| Data Scientist | $132k | 3.3/5 | |
| Speech Language Pathologist | $55k | 2.9/5 | |
| Professor | $59k | 3.7/5 |
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1. Translator
Knowing multiple languages isn't a requirement of a linguistics degree. But, unsurprisingly, most students graduate with at least one additional language under their belt. With a strong understanding of grammar and syntax, as well as an awareness of the power of words, many linguistics majors go on to become excellent translators.
Translator
Translators specialize in converting written or spoken content from one language to another while preserving its meaning, context, and nuances.
2. Advertising Manager
Linguists know how powerful language can be—how different phrases or words can trigger different emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. This knowledge helps them thrive in the advertising world. In this fast-paced career, they'll use their training to create advertisements and promotional campaigns for companies of all kinds.
Advertising Manager
An advertising manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing advertising campaigns to promote products, services, or brands.
3. Technical Writer
Linguistics overlaps with many different majors, including sociology, computer science, psychology, and communication. As a result, linguistics majors know how to navigate both the arts and the sciences. They can make sense of complex technical information, then "translate" it into clear messaging that others will understand. This unique skill allows them to thrive in technical writing positions.
Technical Writer
A technical writer specializes in creating clear and concise documentation to explain complex technical information.
4. Audiologist
Audiologists are experts of the auditory system—that is, the ear and its related parts. They help patients overcome balance disorders, hearing issues, and central auditory processing challenges. Some also conduct research or provide rehabilitative services. Although linguistics majors will need to pursue additional education to enter this career, they already possess the knowledge of speech and communication needed to succeed in it.
Audiologist
An audiologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing and balance disorders.
5. Teacher
During their degree, linguistics majors study learn about language acquisition, syntax, phonetics, grammar, and other important language systems. Armed with this specialized knowledge, they can become excellent foreign language teachers. Some end up working overseas, teaching English to non-native speakers. Others find positions in local high schools, instructing students in French, Spanish, Mandarin, and other languages.
Teacher
A teacher serves as a guide, mentor, and facilitator in the learning journey of students.
6. Consultant
It might come as a surprise, but linguists are in high demand in the criminal justice system. As legal consultants, they provide forensic linguistic expertise to help resolve issues of all kinds. They may be asked to inspect letters or other written evidence for signs of forgery, assist with voice identification challenges, or analyze recordings from hostage negotiations.
Consultant
A consultant provides expert advice, guidance, and solutions to individuals, organizations, or businesses seeking assistance in specific areas.
7. American Sign Language Interpreter
Sign language interpreters help people who are deaf or hard of hearing enjoy the world around them. They are needed everywhere, from law courts to hospitals and everything in between. In addition to being highly proficient in at least one sign language, this career requires a love of words and an awareness of the nuances of communication. Linguistics majors are a natural fit.
American Sign Language Interpreter
An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter facilitates communication between individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and those who can hear and speak.
8. Data Scientist
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a booming field, with applications in banking, health care, technology, and many other industries. As a result, skilled computational linguistics are in high demand. These specialized data scientists use natural language processing techniques to model human communication and train computers to "speak more like people."
Data Scientist
Data scientists use their expertise in statistics, mathematics, and computer science to extract meaningful insights and knowledge from large and complex datasets.
9. Speech Language Pathologist
Speech language pathologists help individuals overcome a wide range of communication and swallowing issues. They work with patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. They treat problems with pronunciation and articulation, as well as more severe challenges with hearing, reading, and verbal expression. Although further training is required for this career, a bachelor's in linguistics is an excellent foundation.
Speech Language Pathologist
Speech language pathologists (SLPs) specialize in diagnosing, evaluating, and treating various communication and swallowing disorders that can affect individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly.
10. Professor
For linguistics students who can't get enough of the subject, an academic career may be an ideal fit. Linguistics professors work in universities and colleges across the world, teaching courses and conducting research in their area of specialization. They publish in academic journals, supervise graduate students, and help others fall in love with their favourite subject.
Professor
A professor holds a high-ranking position within an educational institution, typically at the college or university level.