The highest-paying jobs with a history degree in 2026 typically land in law, corporate consulting, or senior government roles, where salaries can hit $100,000 to $180,000+ — especially if you tack on advanced degrees and specialized experience.
Is a history major worth it?
A history major is worth it if you love critical thinking, writing, and research; it builds transferable skills like analysis, communication, and cultural awareness that employers crave across industries.
Over time, history majors adapt well to different careers, often moving into law, education, public policy, or business. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs needing analytical and research skills—common in history programs—are projected to grow 7% through 2032, faster than average. If you’re passionate about the past but unsure where to go, pairing your degree with targeted internships or certifications (think digital archiving or museum studies) can really boost your earning potential.
Can you make money with a history degree?
Absolutely, you can make money with a history degree; while starting salaries might seem modest, moving into roles like lawyer, policy analyst, or senior consultant can push you into six-figure territory.
History majors who go for graduate degrees—especially a JD in law or an MPA in public administration—often see a serious salary jump. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that history majors with a master’s earn about 40% more than those with just a bachelor’s. Practical moves like snagging internships, learning data tools (Excel, SQL), or getting a teaching certification can open doors to higher-paying gigs like high school teacher, policy researcher, or corporate historian.
How much can you make with a degree in history?
Bachelor’s degree holders in history pull in a median salary of about $58,000 as of 2026; mid-career roles (senior analyst, attorney, professor) can push that to $80,000 to $120,000.
Your paycheck depends a lot on your career path and where you live. For example, historians in federal government roles earn a median of $95,000, per BLS data. To maximize earnings, look for jobs that lean into research and writing, like legislative aide, market researcher, or nonprofit program director. Location matters too—Washington, D.C., New York, and San Francisco pay more but come with sky-high living costs.
What job can I get with a history degree?
You can land roles like archivist, museum curator, policy analyst, lawyer, or secondary school teacher; each one puts your historical research, critical thinking, and communication skills to good use.
Many history grads also end up in media, publishing, or corporate consulting. For instance, your history degree could prep you for a content strategist role, where you analyze trends and craft narratives—skills that translate straight from historical research. Networking through groups like the Society of American Archivists or the American Library Association can help you land entry-level museum or library jobs.
What jobs pay 100K a year?
Jobs paying $100,000+ include management roles (marketing manager, HR manager), specialized gigs like air traffic controller, and senior tech jobs like computer and information systems manager.
None of these require a history degree specifically, but history grads often qualify through transferable skills and advanced degrees. A history major who becomes a policy analyst at a think tank or a lawyer specializing in intellectual property can hit six figures within 5–10 years. According to BLS occupational outlook data, management roles in consulting, marketing, and IT are among the fastest-growing at this pay level. Certifications like PMP for project management or an MBA can speed up your entry into these roles.
What are 10 careers in history?
Ten solid careers include archivist, museum curator, historian, librarian, lawyer, policy analyst, teacher, researcher, genealogist, and cultural resource manager.
Each of these gigs relies on research, analysis, and communication—core strengths you’ll develop in a history program. Take cultural resource managers, for example; they work with government agencies or private firms to assess historical sites before development, blending legal, historical, and project management skills. To break into these fields, get experience through internships or volunteering at local museums or historical societies. Building a portfolio of writing samples or digital projects (like a blog on local history) can help you stand out in competitive job markets.
What are the most useless degrees?
Degrees often labeled as "less valuable" include communications, film studies, fashion design, and ethnic studies; but career success hinges more on skills, networking, and industry trends than the degree title.
Even in fields that seem less lucrative, grads can thrive by pairing their degree with technical skills (like video editing software for film majors) or industry certifications. A communications grad who learns digital marketing tools like Google Analytics or HubSpot can land roles paying $60,000–$90,000 within a few years. The trick is to avoid relying solely on your degree’s reputation and instead focus on building a portfolio and gaining relevant experience. The BLS emphasizes that career outcomes depend heavily on adaptability and continuous learning, no matter your major.
Is history a hard major?
History is a moderately challenging major; it demands lots of reading, critical analysis, and long-form writing, but skips the technical coursework you’d find in lab sciences or advanced math.
Students who enjoy reading and writing tend to do well in history programs. The average GPA for history majors hovers around 3.2–3.4, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, which is on par with other humanities majors. To succeed, sharpen your time management skills and seek feedback on your writing from professors or writing centers. Pairing history with a minor in data analytics or a foreign language can boost your career prospects without adding much extra work.
Should I major in English or history?
Pick English if you’re into language, literature, and creative writing; go for history if you’re drawn to analyzing past events, cultures, and political systems—both degrees sharpen communication and analytical skills.
Many students double-major or minor in both, since the skills complement each other. An English major studying historical texts gains depth in cultural context, while a history major writing research papers hones their prose and argumentation. According to Trinity University’s career center, English majors often head into publishing, marketing, or content creation, while history majors lean toward law, education, or public service. Think about your long-term goals—if media or creative fields excite you, English might be the better fit; if policy, law, or academia interest you more, history could be your stronger bet.
Do historians make good money?
Historians pull in a median salary of about $68,000 in 2026; federal government roles (like at the National Park Service or Library of Congress) can pay up to $95,000, while academic historians earn between $50,000 and $120,000 depending on rank and institution.
Your paycheck varies a ton by sector. Federal historians earn the most, per BLS data, followed by state governments and large museums. Academic historians at four-year colleges average $82,000, while those at community colleges earn closer to $55,000. To boost earnings, historians often supplement their income by publishing books, consulting for documentaries, or teaching adjunct courses. Networking through groups like the American Historical Association can open doors to higher-paying research or policy gigs.
What can I do if I love history?
Turn your passion into a career by becoming a museum curator, archivist, historical tour guide, or documentary filmmaker; each role lets you engage with history daily while earning a living.
If you’re not ready to commit to a specific path, start by gaining experience through internships at local museums, historical sites, or archives. Many cities offer seasonal gigs as tour guides or reenactors, which can build your public speaking and storytelling skills. For those into digital media, launching a YouTube channel or podcast about niche historical topics can attract sponsorships or monetization opportunities. Consider further education in museum studies or digital humanities to specialize. According to American Alliance of Museums, museum employment is growing, especially in roles focused on digital collections and education.
Is history a respected degree?
Yes, history is a respected degree among employers; it signals strong analytical, research, and communication skills that are gold in law, education, government, and business.
Employers in consulting, policy, and corporate strategy actively seek history grads for their ability to interpret complex info and craft compelling narratives. A 2025 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that 78% of employers rated critical thinking and analytical reasoning—core strengths of history majors—as the most important skills for new hires. To leverage this respect, highlight your research projects, internships, and writing samples in job applications. Pairing your degree with a professional certification (like Project Management Professional) can further boost your marketability.
What is a poor historian?
A poor historian relies on outdated sources, lacks critical analysis, or fails to place events in broader historical context—essentially, someone who presents information without questioning its reliability or significance.
This label pops up in academic circles for students or researchers who take sources at face value without cross-checking or considering bias. For example, citing a single memoir as proof of a broad historical trend without comparing it to other primary sources is a red flag. Ignoring the economic, social, or cultural context of an event can also lead to shaky conclusions. To improve, always verify sources against multiple references, consult peer-reviewed journals, and get feedback from mentors. The Library of Congress and National Archives are great places to find high-quality primary sources.
How much do historians make a day?
Historians earn between $176 and $340 per day on average in 2026, depending on their state and experience level.
| State | Avg. Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|
| California | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Colorado | $52,361 | $25.17 |
| Connecticut | $72,218 | $34.72 |
| Delaware | $69,857 | $33.59 |
| District of Columbia | $84,520 | $40.63 |
Daily earnings are calculated assuming a 2,080-hour work year (40 hours/week × 52 weeks). Federal historians in the D.C. area earn the highest daily rates, reflecting the higher cost of living and demand for specialized expertise. Salaries in nonprofit and academic sectors tend to be lower but may come with perks like flexible schedules or access to research materials. Check job postings on sites like Idealist or HigherEdJobs for region-specific rates.
How much do history professors make?
History professors in the U.S. earn an average of $69,334 per year in 2026; salaries range from $21,000 at the entry level to over $220,000 at elite private universities.
Pay swings wildly based on institution type, location, and rank. According to the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), full professors at public universities average $120,000, while adjunct instructors earn $3,000–$6,000 per course with no benefits. Tenure-track roles offer job security but demand heavy research and publishing. To boost earnings, history professors often take on consulting gigs, write textbooks, or teach summer courses. Geographic arbitrage helps too—professors at universities in states like California or New York earn 20–30% more than those in the Midwest, though that’s offset by higher living costs.
