13 Careers in Humanities to Explore Updated July 22, 2022 Students who major in humanities often learn an array of skills that can make them suitable for many careers. Most of these careers involve working with people and using creative abilities to brainstorm unique ideas and solve problems. Having a degree in arts and humanities can help you develop important workplace skills such as time management, organizational talents and strong communication abilities. In this article, we outline 13 common careers in humanities, their average salaries and the primary duties they hold. Humanities careers are ones in which you utilize principles from studies in the arts, languages and literature. The skills students develop from humanities degrees are often skills employers are searching for as they can bring creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to the workplace. In a humanities career, you may work in institutions like museums and universities, or you may be a self-employed artist. Related jobs near you Sydney, NSW Part-time jobs Full-time jobs Remote jobs Urgently hiring jobs View more jobs on Indeed 13 careers in humanities Below are common careers you can pursue after receiving a degree in humanities: 1. Music director National Average Salary: $28,473 per year Primary Duties: Music directors will arrange, select and conduct music pieces for musicians to perform. These professionals lead performers through different music pieces and ensure everyone remains in tune with pitches, patterns and beats throughout each piece. They will often train musicians to perform at concerts and recitals. Music directors can work in schools, musicals, orchestras or choirs. 2. Photographer National Average Salary: $14.52 per hour Primary Duties: A photographer captures images in the moment to visually tell a story. They take their own pictures and use editing skills on their computer to make the images visually appealing to clients. They often need photo editing skills to apply composition, lighting and attractive color elements to a picture. Photographers know how to operate different photography equipment such as cameras, lenses, lights and tripods. A photographer can capture events such as weddings, banquets or portraits. 3. Graphic designer National Average Salary: $17.73 per hour Primary Duties: Graphic designers work closely with clients to create designs for logos, brochures, advertisements, websites or other digital and print formats. They use color palettes, font styles and photographs to create designs that visually convey a company’s message. 4. English teacher National Average Salary: $19.30 per hour Primary Duties: English teachers help children and young adults develop and enhance their English language skills. English teachers in primary education may teach students vocabulary, reading and writing. In secondary education, they focus primarily on advanced reading and writing to help students strengthen these skills. These professionals may also teach English as a second language to help non-native English-speaking students build their vocabulary and language skills. 5. Technical writer National Average Salary: $20.04 per hour Primary Duties: Technical writers create documents such as instruction guides, equipment manuals and articles to make technical information easier for readers to understand. They write documents in accordance with organizational standards for clarity, conciseness and style. They may also edit, standardize or make corrections to documents written by others. Technical writers often collaborate with subject-matter experts in the organization to verify the accuracy of content. 6. Fundraising manager National Average Salary: $45,193 per year Primary Duties: A fundraising manager often works in nonprofits or other organizations to ensure fundraising efforts are functioning properly. They will work with and instruct volunteers, build and manage the fundraising budget, find donors and organize the fundraising events hosted by the organization. Fundraising managers often brainstorm and craft strategies to maximize donor engagement, increase donor revenue and enhance donor retention. 7. Creative writer National Average Salary: $23.87 per hour Primary Duties: A creative writer tells a story through writing. The content they create is original and enticing. They can create their content to fit various formats within print and digital media. Creative writers will craft content centered around fiction or nonfiction. They may submit their work to websites, articles, trade journals, blogs or magazines. Creative writers are often responsible for reviewing their own work to identify any grammatical or spelling errors before submitting it. 8. Linguist National Average Salary: $23.97 per hour Primary Duties: Linguists support organizations by translating, transcribing and interpreting information from a foreign language to the native language. They may collaborate with diverse cultures speaking different languages. In most cases, working as a linguist requires fluency in two or more languages. Linguists may also use their language skills to improve natural language programming, dictation and artificial intelligence technology. 9. Museum curator National Average Salary: $52,295 per year Primary Duties: Museum curators manage the assembly and presentation of various exhibits found in museums or art galleries. They plan and organize exhibits that fit well with the museum’s overall environment. They organize the museum items and ensure they are in good shape for guest viewing. Museum curators purchase and negotiate prices on art pieces, artifacts and any other items they hope to display. 10. Instructional designer National Average Salary: $58,420 per year Primary Duties: Instructional designers create training materials to facilitate employee or customer education to support an organization’s products, policies or procedures. They create courses and materials that meet the learning needs and styles of the intended audience. A successful instructional designer understands how to design materials that encourage learning throughout different audiences and learning styles. 11. Interior designer National Average Salary: $58,525 per year Primary Duties: Interior designers build and sketch interior designs for businesses or houses. They often take the overall idea of a design from a client and build a visually appealing result. Interior designers will source and find the materials needed to design each space. They are well-informed of safety rules and regulations and put them in place when designing homes and businesses. 12. Art director National Average Salary: $72,637 per year Primary Duties: An art director works in leadership to collaborate with a graphic designer and copywriter to create projects that communicate a company’s message and brand. They may create their overall idea of a project by drafting a storyboard or sketch and then instruct employees how to build this vision. Art directors have a strong knowledge of target audiences and the media outlets they are creating for. 13. Journalist National Average Salary: $36.10 per hour Primary Duties: A journalist researches a particular subject and then reports findings and conclusions to a wider audience through print, digital or broadcast media. Journalism covers various subject matters that can impact society, appeal to different audiences and have different requirements for objectively reporting facts. A journalist’s role can take different forms such as investigative reporting, features, columns and reviews. Is this article helpful? Tell us a bit about yourself Answer a few optional questions to help Indeed make hiring more inclusive. Students who major in humanities often learn an array of skills that can make them suitable for many careers. Most of these careers involve working with people and using creative abilities to brainstorm unique ideas and solve problems. Having a degree in arts and humanities can help you develop important workplace skills such as time management, organizational talents and strong communication abilities. In this article, we outline 13 common careers in humanities, their average salaries and the primary duties they hold. Humanities careers are ones in which you utilize principles from studies in the arts, languages and literature. The skills students develop from humanities degrees are often skills employers are searching for as they can bring creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to the workplace. In a humanities career, you may work in institutions like museums and universities, or you may be a self-employed artist. 13 careers in humanities Below are common careers you can pursue after receiving a degree in humanities: 1. Music director National Average Salary: $28,473 per year Primary Duties: Music directors will arrange, select and conduct music pieces for musicians to perform. These professionals lead performers through different music pieces and ensure everyone remains in tune with pitches, patterns and beats throughout each piece. They will often train musicians to perform at concerts and recitals. Music directors can work in schools, musicals, orchestras or choirs. 2. Photographer National Average Salary: $14.52 per hour Primary Duties: A photographer captures images in the moment to visually tell a story. They take their own pictures and use editing skills on their computer to make the images visually appealing to clients. They often need photo editing skills to apply composition, lighting and attractive color elements to a picture. Photographers know how to operate different photography equipment such as cameras, lenses, lights and tripods. A photographer can capture events such as weddings, banquets or portraits. 3. Graphic designer National Average Salary: $17.73 per hour Primary Duties: Graphic designers work closely with clients to create designs for logos, brochures, advertisements, websites or other digital and print formats. They use color palettes, font styles and photographs to create designs that visually convey a company’s message. 4. English teacher National Average Salary: $19.30 per hour Primary Duties: English teachers help children and young adults develop and enhance their English language skills. English teachers in primary education may teach students vocabulary, reading and writing. In secondary education, they focus primarily on advanced reading and writing to help students strengthen these skills. These professionals may also teach English as a second language to help non-native English-speaking students build their vocabulary and language skills. 5. Technical writer National Average Salary: $20.04 per hour Primary Duties: Technical writers create documents such as instruction guides, equipment manuals and articles to make technical information easier for readers to understand. They write documents in accordance with organizational standards for clarity, conciseness and style. They may also edit, standardize or make corrections to documents written by others. Technical writers often collaborate with subject-matter experts in the organization to verify the accuracy of content. 6. Fundraising manager National Average Salary: $45,193 per year Primary Duties: A fundraising manager often works in nonprofits or other organizations to ensure fundraising efforts are functioning properly. They will work with and instruct volunteers, build and manage the fundraising budget, find donors and organize the fundraising events hosted by the organization. Fundraising managers often brainstorm and craft strategies to maximize donor engagement, increase donor revenue and enhance donor retention. 7. Creative writer National Average Salary: $23.87 per hour Primary Duties: A creative writer tells a story through writing. The content they create is original and enticing. They can create their content to fit various formats within print and digital media. Creative writers will craft content centered around fiction or nonfiction. They may submit their work to websites, articles, trade journals, blogs or magazines. Creative writers are often responsible for reviewing their own work to identify any grammatical or spelling errors before submitting it. 8. Linguist National Average Salary: $23.97 per hour Primary Duties: Linguists support organizations by translating, transcribing and interpreting information from a foreign language to the native language. They may collaborate with diverse cultures speaking different languages. In most cases, working as a linguist requires fluency in two or more languages. Linguists may also use their language skills to improve natural language programming, dictation and artificial intelligence technology. 9. Museum curator National Average Salary: $52,295 per year Primary Duties: Museum curators manage the assembly and presentation of various exhibits found in museums or art galleries. They plan and organize exhibits that fit well with the museum’s overall environment. They organize the museum items and ensure they are in good shape for guest viewing. Museum curators purchase and negotiate prices on art pieces, artifacts and any other items they hope to display. 10. Instructional designer National Average Salary: $58,420 per year Primary Duties: Instructional designers create training materials to facilitate employee or customer education to support an organization’s products, policies or procedures. They create courses and materials that meet the learning needs and styles of the intended audience. A successful instructional designer understands how to design materials that encourage learning throughout different audiences and learning styles. 11. Interior designer National Average Salary: $58,525 per year Primary Duties: Interior designers build and sketch interior designs for businesses or houses. They often take the overall idea of a design from a client and build a visually appealing result. Interior designers will source and find the materials needed to design each space. They are well-informed of safety rules and regulations and put them in place when designing homes and businesses. 12. Art director National Average Salary: $72,637 per year Primary Duties: An art director works in leadership to collaborate with a graphic designer and copywriter to create projects that communicate a company’s message and brand. They may create their overall idea of a project by drafting a storyboard or sketch and then instruct employees how to build this vision. Art directors have a strong knowledge of target audiences and the media outlets they are creating for. 13. Journalist National Average Salary: $36.10 per hour Primary Duties: A journalist researches a particular subject and then reports findings and conclusions to a wider audience through print, digital or broadcast media. Journalism covers various subject matters that can impact society, appeal to different audiences and have different requirements for objectively reporting facts. A journalist’s role can take different forms such as investigative reporting, features, columns and reviews.