Are you a graduate wondering what jobs you can do with a Linguistics degree? As a linguistics degree holder, you are open to several job opportunities that you can do. These jobs cut across Applied Linguistics, Theoretical Linguistics, and

Descriptive linguistics.

You can make figures within Linguistics degree jobs. Also, if your linguistics degree is from a reputable university, you may have the opportunity to land an international job opportunity. In this article, we will explore 11 jobs you can do with a linguistics degree and the salary associated with them. Trust me, this will blow up your mind.

Is linguistics in high demand?

The linguistics job outlook is a highly positive one. Big tech companies will always need linguistics for language analysis, speech analysis, and data collection. Also, every speech recognition platform or academy needs linguists and phoneticians. The demand for linguistics isn’t reducing any time soon.

11 Jobs You Can do With a Linguistics Degree and Salary

Here are the best 11 jobs you can do with a linguistics degree and the salary associated with them.

1. Linguistics Professor

Average Annual Salary: $90,622

Linguistics is one of the most intriguing aspects of human knowledge, and being a linguistic professor is a rewarding and fulfilling job.

As a linguistic professor, you must major in many aspects of human languages, such as words (morphology), sounds (phonetics, phonology), meaning (semantics), and sentences (syntax).

Additionally, you can take up teaching jobs abroad. You can teach English,

Spanish, or French based on your area of specialty.

To be a professor in Linguistics, you must have a Ph.D. in linguistics. Furthermore, you can be called for publishing jobs in the educational sector that will earn you more money.

2. Foreign Language Teacher

Average Annual Salary: $53,918

One of the jobs you can do with a linguistic degree is foreign language instructor. This career goes beyond teaching but sharing in the culture of a particular set of people.

A foreign language teacher teaches courses in a specific language, which includes grammar, literature, and intercultural studies. These teachers demonstrate a high level of fluency in spoken, written, and reading languages.

3. Accent/Dialect Coach

Average Annual Salary: $70,965

If you want to work in the entertainment industry with a linguistic degree, being an Accent/Dialect coach is one of the best roles to serve in.

Accent and Dialect coaches are acting coaches that assist actors in designing their speech and voice to suit a particular character on the stage

They are tasked with researching and preparing dialects, speech patterns, and pronunciations. They work on lines with the actor to ensure they take up the character.

Also, a dialect can train non-actor public speakers in vocal delivery and help improve their diction and articulation, especially when singing or talking in a foreign language.

4. Editor

Average Annual Salary: $74,855

An editor is another job you can do with a linguistic degree. The role of an editor entails selecting and preparing visual, written, spoken, and cinematographic media used for the purpose of passing information. Also, the editor designs, indexes, and review (condenses, corrects, and organize) written documents to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Editors can be paid hourly for an average of  $20.16 per hour.

5. Lexicographer

Average Annual Salary: $70,240

One of the jobs you can do with a linguistic degree is to be a Lexicographer. Lexicographers are those who are on the dictionaries. They ring facts worth of dictionary entry, input the entries, and update the work of other Lexicographers to ensure the dictionary is up to date.

Lexicographers are of two branches – practical and theoretical. The basis of payment differs depending on the type of employment. Those that work in the file are paid per hour or project and can earn between $25-$45 per project.

6. International Aid Worker

Average Annual Salary: $58,093

One of the jobs you can do with a linguistic degree in the international sphere is being an international aid worker.

Charities groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), volunteer groups, and international aid agencies all need the help of linguists to provide international aid to developing countries that speak a different language.

International aid workers perform various functions such as fundraising, hands-on relief work, administrative support, budget control, project management, preparing evaluation reports and recommendations, and collaborating with local agencies.

This job will require additional professional certification, such as project management.

7. Forensic Linguist

Average Annual Salary: $78,805

Forensic Linguistics is also called Medical-legal linguistics. It refers to linguistics who are tasked with the application of linguistic knowledge and methods to the medical-legal context of the judicial process, investigation, law, language, and trial.

Additionally, they carry out acoustic and auditory analyses of recordings, including working on the reclamation of data or voice identification from damaged sources.

Forensic linguistics work with law enforcement agencies, legal firms, and audio and recording companies.

8. Lawyer

Average Annual Salary: $75,700

Looking to work in the legal sector with a linguistic degree? This is an opportunity for you. You can work as a lawyer who prepares and interprets the law, not as a paralegal or charter executive secretary.

As a lawyer, you are tasked with the practical interpretation and application of abstract legal knowledge and theories to solve specific individualized problems or perform legal services.

Additionally, they draft legal documents, manage clients on legal transactions and represent clients in civil and criminal legal cases.

However, this may require you to undertake a program in law.

9. Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Average Annual Salary: $124,597

Natural Language Processing (NLP) is an area that deals with how computer programs process, analyze data, and interact in natural language. It is a sub-division of artificial intelligence, computer science, and information technology.

As a linguist, you can apply for internships or full-time roles. As an NLP, knowledge of computers, machine learning engineering, or AI is an added advantage in taking up full-time roles.

10. Subtitler

Average Annual Salary: $55,759

One of the jobs you can do with a linguistic degree is a “Subtitler.” Subtitlers work with local partner firms to subtitle the transcribed audio version of audiovisual materials that need to be displayed with subtitles on a visual medium.

You can work across several industries as a subtitler, including the entertainment and educational industries. The beauty of this is that you can work remotely and can freelance.

Most times, subtitlers are paid per project or hour. The bigger and more famous the subtitling company, the higher your compensation.

11. Publisher

Average Annual Salary: $72,375

One of the jobs for linguistic degree holders is publishing. A publishing editor is tasked with overseeing the publication’s content and style.

Publishing editors play managerial roles, especially in magazine and newspaper companies, where they are in charge of the entire publication.

Additionally, they work in several publishing areas, including online publishing and book publishing.

What Are The Direct Career Paths One Can Do With A Linguistic Degree?

Some of the direct career paths you can do with a linguistic degree are language teacher, lexicographer, speech and language therapist, copy editor, proofreader, translator, journalist, speech coach, and so on.

Conclusion

A Linguistics degree is a good degree that will open you up to many amazing opportunities where you can work full-time, part-time, and remotely. There are no limits to the jobs you can do with a linguistic degree.