Are you trying to figure out the best entry-level jobs for English majors so you can decide on the right career path?
Maybe you’re been asking yourself:
- What can you do with an English degree? …Like, really, what the heck are the exact jobs you can get with an English degree?
- What are the best high-paying jobs for English majors?
- I really want to work alone, and prefer to avoid the classroom! What can I do with an English degree besides teach?
If any of this applies, I’ve got good news:
Contrary to popular belief, an English degree gives you lots of incredible, high-paying job options!
…And no, you don’t have to teach.
However:
You can’t possibly choose the right career without knowing all of your options!
That’s why I’ve put the best options right here for you, all in one place. 🙂
Keep reading to learn about the top 15 entry-level jobs for English majors with all the juicy details you need to make the right career choice, such as:
- Starting salaries and salary ranges,
- Typical job duties and skills needed
- How to get your first entry-level job with an English degree
- Quotes and examples from people who broke into the listed careers
- Links to excellent resources for breaking into the top careers for English majors, with screenshots and tips included
Let’s jump right in!
Here are the best entry-level jobs for English majors:
15 Top Entry-Level Jobs for English Majors (And How to Start ASAP!)
1. Corporate Copywriter
Average Starting Salary: $43,500/year
A corporate copywriter writes and edits brochures, websites, product descriptions, newsletters or any other type of marketing content.
I actually have a former corporate copywriter working on my own team here at Writing Revolt!
So, I asked him how he landed his first corporate copywriting job as an English major with no other writing experience.
He said:
“I didn’t know what copywriting even was when I graduated college, but I learned about it when I did a little research online about the best entry-level jobs for English majors. As a result, I was able to break into marketing copywriting working for a major household name in the luxury retail field!”
He went on to share that he got this job via signing up for a creative staffing agency and interviewing at their office.
The agency connected him with the job, and he got hired on a contract, which led to a full-time position!
Creative Circle is an example of a staffing agency specializing in high-paying creative jobs. Search for these types of agencies in your own area for an idea of the best careers with an English degree available near you!
So if corporate copywriting interests you…
Know that you can definitely break in with no prior experience!
2. Librarian or Library Assistant
Average Starting Salary: $26,000-$48,000/year
Why should you become a librarian?
Well, because you get to work with books, duh. 🙂
If you want to spend most of your day surrounded by literature and stories from around the world…
Then working as a librarian or library assistant is an excellent option for you.
It’s truly one of the best entry-level jobs for English majors, and a dream job for so many writers!
If you want to get a job as a librarian, keep in mind that as an English major, you’ll likely have more luck starting with a more entry-level job in a library, like “Library Assistant.”
Here’s an example of a job that would get your foot in the door working at a library!
Then, you can work your way up from your library assistant job.
And hey, if you truly love it, you may end up going back to school to pursue a Master’s degree in Library Science to reach the top of the field.
3. Social Media Manager
Average Starting Salary: $50,000/year
If you love Twitter and Instagram as much as I do, then this is the perfect job for you.
As a social media manager, your responsibility would be to create content that will get people talking about your company on these platforms.
You don’t need any formal training in communication or marketing either – just be good at working with words (ahem!) and understanding how social media works.
So, this is definitely one of the top careers for English majors who just can’t stop scrolling on social media! 😉
4. Freelance Copywriter
Average Starting Salary: Varies (I made $5,000/mo in my 4th month freelance copywriting – click here to see how!)
A freelance copywriter is a writer who is hired by different businesses to write for either their marketing or editorial materials.
They work from home and set their own schedule.
Some self-employed freelance writers even choose to travel full-time and work from anywhere in the world!
I traveled the country full-time thanks to my online business! This was a stop in Northern California. 🙂
If you want to become a copywriter without being tied down to an office, then freelancing is a great idea!
And fortunately, you don’t need any prior writing experience to get started freelance writing. 🙂
You can watch this video and check out my YouTube channel to learn how to break into freelance writing:
To fast-track your way into freelance writing…
Click here to learn how to make your first $1,000 freelance writing online.
(No experience, social media following, or college degree needed!)
5. Ghostwriter
Average Starting Salary: Varies
A ghostwriter is someone who writes on behalf of another person.
For example, some celebrities hire a ghostwriter to write a fiction book or autobiography on their behalf – and you only see the celebrity’s name listed as the author on the book.
Ghostwriters can create nonfiction or fiction works.
Although you may be able to find a ghostwriting job via a traditional job search, many ghostwriters work on a freelance basis and get writing jobs based on their own marketing.
For example, Hannah Sandoval of PurpleInkPen markets herself as a ghostwriter this way on her website:
Make no mistake:
You’ll need a pro website to market yourself independently as a ghostwriter too.
Don’t let fear hold you back. Just start and take the first step.
6. Copywriter/Marketer for Advertising Agency
Average Starting Salary: $45,000-$55,000/year
A copywriter for an advertising company is responsible for developing the written component of an advertising campaign.
If you’ve seen Mad Men, you know what I’m talking about!
Of course, these days, copywriting looks quite a bit different
Ad agency copywriters typically work with the graphic designer, art director, and account managers to develop strategic ad copy. Copywriters must be able to communicate a message in a way that sells a product or service.
They write and create ads for print media, television, online video networks, and mobile apps.
A few of their responsibilities include:
– Writing strategy: The copywriter’s job is to develop messages that people will pay attention to or remember in different mediums.
– Advertising copy development: Copywriters are responsible for writing catchy and informative advertising copy that captures viewers’ attention by grabbing their interest and solving their problems.
– Creating headlines: The copywriter’s job is to create headlines that will make people want to read the full story.
– Editing: Copywriters are responsible for editing their work before it gets published or broadcast, which includes polishing up grammar and spelling mistakes in order to ensure a polished finished product.
As you grow your copywriting chops, you can move up into a senior copywriting role – or even become a creative director!
This is definitely a writing career that can lead to a six-figure salary if you stick with it.
7. Self-published book author
Average Starting Salary: Varies Widely
Self-published authors are becoming more mainstream, so it’s not surprising that a number of people are considering this as a career.
You can become a self-published author by learning the basics of writing and publishing a book on your own.
Romance author Yuwanda Black makes a full-time income self-publishing romance novels on Amazon.
When Yuwanda was interviewed about her self-publishing accomplishments, she said:
“I had zero experience writing romance (or any kind of fiction) before I wrote my first romance novel in 2013.”
Pretty incredible, right?
Self-publishing certainly isn’t the easiest entry-level job for English majors to break into. But, with a bit of grit and the right marketing approach, you might just create the next top seller!
8. Assistant English Professor
Average Starting Salary: $67,000/year according to Indeed.com
If you’re a passionate reader and want to share your passion with others on a daily basis, teaching English at the college level is an excellent career choice.
Not only does it provide intellectual stimulation and professional growth opportunities, but it also allows for lifelong learning and personal enrichment.
You will be surrounded by books in your office as well as in the classroom.
And if you love immersing yourself in literature, there are few better ways of spending one’s time than reading and teaching it!
9. Website Content Manager
Average Starting Salary: ~$50,000/year
A website content manager is responsible for updating and managing the content of a web site, including articles, blog posts, product descriptions, or other company information.
One of my first internships after quitting school was working as a website content manager for a tiny local business.
Mostly, I edited product descriptions and moved content around on their website, so having writing chops and WordPress experience definitely played a big role in landing the job!
To get started, the first step you should take is to enroll in an undergraduate degree program in English or Journalism.
…Which, if you’re reading this, you’ve probably already done, so congrats! 🙂
Then, if you’re still in school, consider checking sites like Internships.com for opportunities to break into the field.
Working as a website content manager is one of the top English degree jobs on it’s own – and also a great way to get your foot in the door for a copywriting gig.
10. Technical Writer
Average Starting Salary: $45,000-$50,000/year
A technical writer works on technical documents, such as manuals or other instructional materials.
They may work in a variety of industries including computer software development and scientific research.
(I’ve actually done some technical editing for a small niche hardware business!)
Here’s an example of a technical writing job so you can get an idea of what the job usually entails:
Technical writers typically need at least an undergraduate degree in English (or Journalism), but some companies will train qualified candidates on the job.
If you’re looking to break into this field, focus your resume’s attention on any experience with computers and writing about technical content – whether that be through classes, programming language knowledge, or freelance writing gigs that were more technical in nature.
11. Medical Scribe
Average Starting Salary: $24,000-$30,000/year
A medical scribe’s job duties include taking accurate notes, performing research and organizing patient data.
Their goal is to make sure doctors have every detail of the patients’ story at their fingertips when they’re in the room with them.
Medical transcriptionists often have a certification in their craft, which is fairly quick and easy to achieve when compared with traditional, 4-year degree plans.
But, I’ve also heard that some people who are not medically trained get these jobs!
So, if you’re a wordsmith and want to work in the medical field, this could be an excellent way to do it!
12. Journalist
Average Starting Salary: $37,000-$40,000/year
Journalists can work in print, broadcast or online media.
They may specialize in areas such as general reporting, sports writing, or investigative journalism, and you can see this wide variety of options reflected when you search for journalism jobs!
Journalism is a great entry-level job for English majors, with a wide variety of topics to pursue.
Overall, journalism is a great entry-level job for English majors because it can offer a lot of variety and solid job security.
As you develop skills and experience in this field, your average salary can absolutely rise significantly, with more experienced journalists making upwards of $53,000 per year according to Glassdoor!
13. Content Marketer
Average Starting Salary: ~$50,000/year
Content marketers create, manage and grow content on websites to increase traffic and conversions. This is the kind of job for someone with a wide knowledge of digital marketing and how search planners work.
The goal of a content marketer is to get as many high-quality visitors as they can for their company’s website.
So, they’ve gotta be really good at is creating eye-catching headlines that will make people want to read more.
They also tend to be excellent content marketing strategists, planning the overall marketing efforts strategically based on what will convert the most customers.
The median annual salary of a content marketer is about $50,000/year according to Payscale.com.
Keep in mind you have the potential to move up in this career to a content marketing manager role.
And content marketing managers often earn around six figures!
14. Television Writer
Average Starting Salary: ~$47,000/year
A career in television writing is the dream for many English majors.
I mean, seriously. Imagine being able to say, “I helped write the script for one of my favorite television shows!”
Pretty awesome, right?
Television writing can be a great entry-level position for English majors and, if you’re successful, it can turn into something much more prestigious.
You can learn how to break into television writing right here, but keep in mind that it’s often much more competitive than the other jobs in this blog post!
You’ve gotta really want it, and you may want to even consider moving to a major filming city, like Los Angeles or Atlanta, to be able to network and find the most job opportunities.
Here’s an example of a TV writing job in the Los Angeles area!
If you think this might be an appropriate fit for you, then make sure your resume showcases any previous experience with television as well as basic TV writing skills and coursework.
15. Radio Writer
Average Starting Salary: ~$44,000/year according to Comparably
Radio writers have the opportunity to write scripts for audio content. This is a great entry-level job for someone with an English degree, as it offers plenty of variety and solid pay.
Radio writers often work on a variety of tasks, including:
- Writing sound bites, jingles and other types of audio content for radio
- Working as producers of segments and shows such as morning programs, with talk show hosts or on-air anchors
- Creating original programming
- Helping with copy that will be read by announcers during a broadcast
- Developing scripts for commercials or promotional programs
Radio writing usually starts at lower hourly wage (~$25-35 per hour) but can grow significantly with years of experience.
If you think this might be an appropriate fit for you, make sure your resume highlights any previous experience in the field or basic writing skills.
If you’re still in school, try to land a gig helping out your college radio station to get some excellent writing samples for your first big radio writing job!
16. SEO Specialist
Average Starting Salary: $35,000-$45,000
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a type of internet marketing technique that focuses on optimizing websites to rank higher in search engine result pages.
So, an SEO specialist is someone who plans the content on a website and writes it in such a way so that search engines will find the site.
They’re also in charge of analyzing data to see how visitors are interacting with their site, what keywords they use when searching, and where those interactions lead.
Higher search engine rankings mean more website traffic, and more website traffic means more sales! As you can imagine, that makes this job an important one!
If you want to get a higher starting salary, consider working as an SEO specialist at a larger corporation rather than a small business or advertising agency.
17. Copy Editor
Average Starting Salary: $42,000/year according to ZipRecruiter.com
Copy editors are professionals that review and edit written text for a variety of purposes, such as catching typos, correcting grammar usage or style, or making sure that the content of the text is consistent with style guidelines.
To get your first job as a copy editor, you can try the internship route or sign up for a creative staffing agency like Creative Circle, which offers loads of entry-level jobs for English majors in specific cities.
Here’s an example copy editing job posting so you can get an idea of the typical job responsibilities:
Copy editors often start their career working on a contract or for an hourly wage (~$25-35 per hour) but can grow significantly and land a salaried job or copywriting job later on.
18. Blog Post Writer
Average Starting Salary: $42,000/year according to ZipRecruiter.com
A blog post writer is someone who writes blog posts with the intent to attract readers and drive traffic to their website.
Businesses hire blog post writers because it’s not always easy to keep up with writing content on a regular basis without something like guest posts. Plus, who wouldn’t want the boost in brand authority, search engine rankings, and traffic that regular blog posts could give you?
Now…
What if you’d rather write blog posts on a freelance basis than work a 9-to-5?
Well, you’re in luck!
If you’re looking to start freelance writing, blog post copywriting is the #1 easiest writing niche to break into.
On the other hand, if you want to take a more traditional career route, you can easily break into blog post writing while you’re still a student. Even after you graduate, blog post writing a great entry-level job for English majors because it’s one of the easiest writing gigs to break into.
Plus, blog post writing can easily lead to higher-paying jobs, like content marketing management and copywriting!
Now, get out there and land yourself one of these entry-level jobs for English majors!
No more asking yourself, “What can you do with an English degree?”
Now you know the answer!
And as you can see, there are plenty of entry-level jobs for english majors that pay super frickin’ well and offer great growth opportunities.
If you’re looking to get started freelance writing / copywriting with no experience so you can work from home and set your own schedule…
Fun fact:
You don’t actually need a degree at all to become a freelance copywriter!
I made $5,000/mo freelance copywriting in just 4 months after losing my full-time job!
I didn’t – and still don’t – have a Bachelor’s degree at all.
So, don’t let fear and doubt hold you back.
Freelance copywriting is one of the best careers for writers who want the freedom to set their own schedule.
English degree or not, you can break in and start making a great living in as little as a month!
Now, over to you:
Do you need help getting started with any of these entry-level jobs for English majors? Comment below and ask away – I love hearing from you! 🙂