English Language and Literature, General
English Language & Literature
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $28,460 | $21,007 to $30,411 | 11 | 18% |
| Associate's Degree | $34,868 | $29,810 to $38,218 | 14 | 43% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $48,397 | $42,644 to $54,286 | 603 | 93% |
| Master's Degree | $58,759 | $53,234 to $64,893 | 53 | 94% |
| Doctoral Degree | $61,599 | $58,028 to $67,827 | 19 | 100% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth -1% (2023 to 2033), about 73,200 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $65,220 | -1.6% | 66,200 |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,130 | +0% | 5,100 |
| Proofreaders and Copy Markers | $48,790 | -0.6% | 1,900 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, so this lists where the major commonly leads, not any one graduate's job.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.