What Can You Do With an English Degree? 12+ Careers, Salaries & Getting Hired in 2026
TL;DR
• An English degree opens 12+ career paths across writing, tech, media, education, law, and corporate. Several of the highest-paying options barely appear in most career guides.
• BA salary: ~$45K starting, $54K average, up to $76K+ mid-career. Copywriters and UX writers can hit $80K–$120K+, often without grad school.
• English is the number one degree in UX writer job postings. That's one of tech's fastest-growing roles, and almost no article about English careers mentions it seriously.
• The "54.3% most regretted major" stat is real but misleading. The outcome gap is driven by experience, not the degree.
• Most high-paying paths need a BA and a portfolio. Grad school is optional, not mandatory.
Exploring the bigger picture for liberal arts graduates? See our full guide to liberal arts degree jobs.
What Does an English Degree Actually Prepare You For?
An English degree prepares you for careers that require communication, analysis, and persuasion. Every industry values those skills, and AI tools are making them more important, not less. The degree isn't vocational. But the capabilities it builds show up in job descriptions across writing, tech, business, law, education, and media every single day.
The Skills Employers Actually Pay For
"Transferable skills" gets thrown at English majors so often it stops meaning anything. Here's what that phrase actually translates to in job postings:
• Persuasive writing: structuring arguments, adjusting tone for audience, driving action through words
• Research and synthesis: pulling evidence from multiple sources, distilling it into clear conclusions
• Close reading and analysis: understanding what a document actually says versus what it claims to say
• Editing and clarity: cutting unnecessary words, catching errors, improving structure
• Public speaking and presentation: making a case to people who may disagree with you
• Narrative thinking: seeing how pieces connect and building through-lines that land
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reports that written communication, critical thinking, and teamwork rank among the top employer-valued skills year after year. English programs train all three.
Industries That Hire English Majors
The range is wider than most people expect. Stanford English alumni data shows graduates going into consulting, finance, and tech in roughly equal proportion to education and publishing:
• Tech: UX writing, content design, technical writing, AI content strategy
• Corporate: marketing, communications, proposal writing, brand strategy
• Publishing and media: editing, journalism, literary agencies, content management
• Education: teaching (K-12 and higher ed), curriculum design, corporate training
• Law: paralegal roles and law school pipeline
• Government and nonprofit: policy writing, grant writing, public affairs
For more on how communication-focused degrees map to careers, see our guide to communications degree jobs.
What Jobs Can You Get With an English Degree?
English graduates work as copywriters, editors, technical writers, UX writers, teachers, public relations specialists, content strategists, lawyers, and policy analysts — with roles in every sector from Big Tech to nonprofits.
Writing & Content Careers
These are the most accessible and fastest-growing paths for English grads right now.
• Copywriter ($55K–$82K): Write persuasive content for marketing campaigns, websites, ads, and email. Nearly every company with a marketing function hires copywriters. Remote-friendly, in high demand, and portfolio-driven.
• Content Strategist ($60K–$95K): Plan, oversee, and improve the full content lifecycle for brands or internal teams. More strategic than writing — you're deciding what to create and why.
• Content Manager ($55K–$80K): Own the editorial calendar, manage writers, and maintain quality across a website or publication. Often the first leadership role English grads hit.
• Grant Writer ($50K–$75K): Research funding opportunities and write proposals for nonprofits, universities, and research organizations. Stable demand, mission-driven work.
• SEO Specialist ($45K–$75K): Optimize content to rank in search engines. English majors pick this up faster than most because it's fundamentally about clear, purposeful writing with an audience in mind.
Publishing, Editing & Media Careers
Traditional journalism is contracting. Corporate and B2B editing is growing. That distinction matters when planning your path.
• Editor ($45K–$75K): Review and improve written content for accuracy, clarity, and style. Works in publishing houses, magazines, corporate communications, or as a freelancer.
• Literary Agent ($40K–$80K): Represent authors and negotiate publishing deals. Highly competitive entry, but English majors' reading backgrounds and analytical skills fit the role well.
• Journalist/Reporter ($40K–$65K): Cover news, investigations, or features for print, digital, or broadcast. The field is competitive and pay is lower than it used to be — worth knowing before committing.
• Social Media Manager ($45K–$70K): Create, schedule, and analyze content across platforms. One of the most accessible entry-level paths for English grads.
Education & Training Careers
Yes, teaching is a real path. But corporate training pays significantly more than K-12, and it's a path most career guides forget to mention.
• K-12 Teacher ($45K–$75K): English, literature, and writing instruction. Meaningful, stable, and in demand — pay varies a lot by state and district.
• College or University Instructor ($55K–$80K): Adjunct and full-time positions in English, writing, and composition. Highly competitive; typically needs an MA or MFA.
• Corporate Trainer / L&D Specialist ($55K–$80K): Design and deliver training programs for company teams. Writing, presenting, and breaking down complex concepts come naturally to English majors. Often pays more than K-12 with better hours.
• Curriculum Designer ($50K–$75K): Develop educational materials for schools, corporations, and ed-tech companies. Growing field as remote learning expands.
Corporate, Marketing & Business Careers
This is where most career guides for English majors drop the ball. Marketing and communications roles in the corporate sector pay well and are consistently in demand — and few English majors know to look there.
• Marketing Manager ($65K–$110K): Lead campaigns, manage brand messaging, coordinate teams. English majors who develop data and strategy skills alongside writing move into these roles faster than marketing majors who can't write.
• Brand Strategist ($55K–$85K): Define how a company communicates its identity across every touchpoint. Requires narrative thinking — a core English skill.
• Internal Communications Manager ($60K–$90K): Manage how companies communicate with employees. Newsletters, announcements, culture-building. Growing at mid-to-large organizations.
• Proposal Writer ($55K–$80K): Write business proposals and RFP responses for consulting firms, government contractors, and B2B companies. Niche but stable and overlooked.
Law, Policy & Nonprofit Careers
English is a strong pre-law major. The LSAT tests reading comprehension and logical argumentation — skills English coursework builds directly.
• Paralegal ($48K–$55K): Legal research, document drafting, case file management. Accessible without law school.
• Lawyer ($65K–$200K+): JD required. The investment is real (3 years, substantial debt) — run the ROI math carefully.
• Policy Analyst ($55K–$80K): Research and write policy recommendations for government agencies, think tanks, or nonprofits.
• Nonprofit Communications Director ($55K–$85K): Lead all external communications for mission-driven organizations. Combines writing, strategy, and relationship management.
The Careers Nobody Tells English Majors About: Tech & UX
English graduates are increasingly hired by tech companies for roles that require exactly what the degree builds: clear thinking, precise language, and the ability to explain complex ideas simply. English is the number-one degree listed in UX writer job postings — making it the single most overlooked high-paying career path for English graduates.
UX Writer & Content Designer
UX writers write the words inside digital products: button labels, error messages, onboarding flows, help text, empty states. It sounds small. It isn't. Bad microcopy makes users abandon apps. Good microcopy makes products feel intuitive and trustworthy.
English is the most common educational background in UX writer job postings, according to UX Writing Hub. Entry-level UX roles at tech companies start at $65K–$85K. Senior UX writers and content designers earn $100K–$120K+. Google, Meta, Airbnb, and Figma all have dedicated UX writing teams.
No coding required. Portfolio required. A few UX writing samples — even self-directed redesigns of existing app flows — get you in the conversation.
AI Content Strategist & Prompt Engineer
Companies integrating AI tools into their workflows need people who can evaluate AI-generated output, write effective prompts, and keep brand voice consistent. That's a communication and editorial judgment problem.
Research from Duke's English Department found that English graduates outperform STEM graduates at evaluating quality and nuance in AI-generated text. The role is still evolving, but starting salaries run $55K–$80K and the field is growing fast. This isn't speculative — companies are posting these jobs now.
Technical Writer
Technical writers translate complex information into clear documentation: instruction manuals, software guides, API references, help centers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4% growth through 2032.
At tech companies, technical writing pays well above average. FAANG and mid-size tech companies regularly offer $90K–$120K for experienced technical writers. No CS degree required. Companies want strong writers who can learn the product — which is exactly what English programs produce.
How Much Do English Majors Make?
English majors earn an average of $53,610 per year across all roles, according to ZipRecruiter. But career path matters far more than the degree. UX writers and technical writers at tech companies earn $90K–$120K+, while traditional journalism and teaching roles average $45K–$65K.
Salary by Career Path
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor (2025–2026 data)
How Education Level Affects Salary
A quick, honest breakdown:
• Bachelor's degree: ~$45K starting, $54K average, $76K+ at career peak
• MA/MFA: ~$50K starting, $65K–$80K for academia and senior creative roles. MFA is specifically valuable for college teaching and literary publishing. For most other paths, it doesn't add meaningful salary value.
• JD: ~$65K starting (public interest) to $215K (Big Law). High variance, high stakes.
One note: for UX writing, content strategy, and technical writing, a master's degree rarely affects starting salary. Portfolio and experience are what move the number.
Is an English Degree Worth It?
An English degree is worth it if you pair it with practical experience and a clear career direction. The 54.3% regret figure from career surveys reflects poor career planning and underemployment — not a failure of the degree itself.
The "Most Regretted Major" Myth vs. Reality
The surveys are real. English does appear at the top of regret lists. But that regret correlates with underemployment, and underemployment correlates with one thing: graduating without portfolio or internship experience.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York research on underemployment shows that the experience gap is the primary driver of poor early-career outcomes for humanities graduates — not the major itself. English grads who built demonstrated work before graduation land degree-relevant jobs at far higher rates.
If you're running into the entry-level experience paradox, you're not imagining it. The fix is the same regardless of major: employers need proof, not potential. The degree gives you the foundation. The portfolio gives you the proof.
Why English Majors Are More Valuable in the AI Era (Not Less)
Here's what AI is actually doing to writing-intensive jobs: raising the floor. Junior-level content generation — product descriptions, routine SEO articles, internal memos — AI handles adequately now.
What AI cannot replace is editorial judgment, voice calibration, strategic content decisions, and UX microcopy that makes users trust products. Companies deploying AI content tools urgently need people who can tell the difference between output that's technically correct and output that's actually good. That requires a trained reader and writer.
Duke's English Department research found English graduates outperform STEM graduates at detecting quality differences in AI-generated text. The field isn't shrinking for people who write well. It's restructuring in their favor.
What Can You Do With an English Degree Besides Teach?
English graduates work as UX writers, copywriters, content strategists, marketing managers, technical writers, lawyers, public relations specialists, and corporate trainers — with most paths paying $55K–$100K+ without requiring graduate school.
Teaching is one path among many. Several alternatives pay more. Here's where to look.
Corporate & Tech Paths That Don't Require Grad School
• UX Writer ($65K–$120K): Write product copy for apps and digital products. Portfolio-driven, no coding needed.
• Technical Writer ($60K–$120K): Document software, products, and processes. Strong writing plus learning agility.
• Content Strategist ($60K–$95K): Plan content programs for brands. Data-savvy English majors thrive here.
• Marketing Manager ($65K–$110K): Lead campaign messaging and brand voice. Writing ability is the rare differentiator in a sea of marketing degree holders who can't write.
• Brand Strategist ($55K–$85K): Define and maintain brand identity and messaging. Pure narrative thinking.
• Corporate Trainer ($55K–$80K): Design and deliver internal training programs. English majors break down complexity naturally.
• Proposal Writer ($55K–$80K): Write business proposals and RFP responses. Niche but stable and well-paid.
Build portfolio-ready experience in one of these areas through an Externship before graduation.
The Portfolio Roles: Getting Into Writing Without Internships
The chicken-and-egg problem is real: employers want writing samples, but you need a job to get writing samples. A few ways to break the cycle:
• Contribute to campus newspapers, literary magazines, or departmental blogs
• Start a personal blog or newsletter on a topic you know well — this is a legitimate portfolio piece
• Volunteer writing support for local nonprofits or student organizations
• Do one freelance project (even pro-bono) and use it as a sample
• Enroll in an Externship that includes communications or content projects with real companies
For the UX writing path specifically: bootcamps like UX Writing Hub and UX Content Collective offer short programs with built-in portfolio projects. Several graduates land UX writer roles directly from these programs.
How Do English Majors Get Hired With No Experience?
English majors get hired by building a writing portfolio before graduation. Employers in writing-adjacent roles prioritize demonstrated work over GPA, and a portfolio — even a short one — gets you further than a blank resume every time.
Build a Portfolio Before You Graduate
What actually counts:
• Published articles or essays (campus media, Medium, Substack, anywhere public)
• Blog posts or a personal newsletter on a topic you care about
• Editing samples from peer review or campus publication work
• Grant proposals or fundraising copy (hypothetical ones work too)
• UX writing case studies (redesign an existing app's microcopy as an exercise)
• Technical documentation from any project you've worked on
Well-written academic papers can also be adapted into portfolio pieces with light editing. The goal is to show employers you produce the kind of work they need.
Skills to Add to Your Resume Right Now
These specific skills expand your job pool and starting salary ceiling. For the full breakdown, see our guide to skills to put on a resume.
• SEO basics: free Google Analytics and Search Console courses cover this in a weekend
• CMS platforms: WordPress, Webflow, HubSpot — many employers require at least one
• Google Analytics: content performance data literacy is expected in most content roles
• Style guides: AP Stylebook, Chicago Manual, APA — pick one and know it well
• Project management tools: Asana, Notion, or Trello proficiency signals you can own workflows
• Email marketing: Mailchimp or similar is common in marketing and nonprofit roles
• Basic HTML: not required, but useful in digital-first content roles
If you need help putting together a resume with no experience, there's a full guide on that too.
Do You Need Grad School With an English Degree?
Most high-paying English career paths — UX writing, content strategy, technical writing, marketing, corporate communications — are accessible with a BA and a strong portfolio. Graduate school is a targeted investment, not a default next step.
When an MFA, MA, or JD Actually Pays Off
• MFA (Master of Fine Arts): Worth it specifically for college-level creative writing instruction or serious literary publication. Does not boost salary in corporate, tech, or content careers.
• MA in English or Linguistics: Useful for academic research or college teaching. The academic job market is notoriously competitive — go in with clear expectations about outcomes.
• JD (law degree): A strong investment for English majors pursuing legal careers. The LSAT rewards skills English programs build. Research T50 school outcomes carefully before committing.
Careers You Can Land With Just a BA and a Portfolio
Most of the highest-growth, highest-paying paths don't require a master's:
• UX Writer
• Copywriter
• Content Strategist
• Technical Writer
• PR Specialist
• Marketing Manager
• Grant Writer
• Corporate Trainer
• Brand Strategist
In these roles, two years of portfolio-backed experience regularly beats an MFA from a mid-tier program. Start building the portfolio through internships, campus projects, or an Externship now, and you'll be ahead of classmates who default to grad school without a clear reason to go.
FAQs
What is the highest-paying job for English majors?
UX writers at major tech companies earn $90K–$120K+ and represent the fastest-growing high-salary path for English majors. Other roles with high ceilings: Lawyer (JD required, $130K+ median), Marketing Manager ($65K–$110K), and Technical Writer at tech companies ($90K–$120K). Tech-adjacent writing roles consistently pay more than media or education roles.
Is an English degree useless?
No — but outcomes depend heavily on pairing the degree with practical experience. English grads who build writing portfolios and gain internship or Externship experience before graduation see significantly better outcomes than those who don't. The degree teaches communication, analysis, and persuasion: skills every industry values. The degree alone, without demonstrated application, is what leads to underemployment.
What can you do with an English degree besides teach?
English graduates work as UX writers, copywriters, content strategists, technical writers, marketing managers, public relations specialists, grant writers, brand strategists, editors, journalists, corporate trainers, paralegals, and policy analysts. Teaching is one path of many, and several alternatives — especially tech-adjacent writing roles — pay significantly more than K-12 education.
How much do English majors make?
The average English degree holder earns $53,610 per year according to ZipRecruiter. Career path matters far more than the degree: UX writers and technical writers at tech companies earn $90K–$120K, while journalists and K-12 teachers average $45K–$65K. The BLS figure of $91,095 average for English majors includes lawyers and executives, which skews it upward and isn't representative of typical outcomes.
What skills should English majors put on their resume?
English majors should highlight writing and editing ability (with portfolio links), research methodology, CMS platforms (WordPress, Webflow), SEO fundamentals, style guide proficiency, Google Analytics, and project management tools. Adding technical skills like basic HTML or email marketing platforms significantly expands the job pool and starting salary ceiling.
