Popular Jobs You Can Get with a History Degree

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College students standing in front of the United States Capitol Building in Washington D.C.

If you have a passion for historical people, places, and events, then pursuing a B.A. in History at DBU can be an exciting and rewarding educational journey.

History is a fascinating field, and you can get many different jobs with a history degree. As a history major, you'll gain critical thinking, research, analysis, and writing skills you can apply in a wide variety of careers.

Popular Jobs to Get with a History Degree

Historical studies have multiple branches, including U.S. history, world history, social history, economic history, and art history.

As a DBU history major, you'll get an understanding of the events and eras in history from the perspective of a Christian worldview. Our dedicated faculty members are ready to help you achieve your academic goals and equip you to be Christ-focused in your career and community.

History degree graduates can use their knowledge and skills in many different industries. It's important to note that many history degree jobs require a master's or doctoral degree, so you may have to continue your education beyond the traditional four years needed to obtain a bachelor's degree. DBU offers master's degree programs and a robust doctoral degree program across a wide array of interests that can help you achieve your goal of pursuing a career with a history degree.

Below is a list of popular history degree jobs and the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data about 2023 median pay, degree requirements, and 2023-33 projected growth.

History Professor

2023 Median Annual Pay: $84,380
Degree Requirements: Doctoral for post-secondary instructors; master's for community college instructors; B.A. for K-12 teachers
2023-33 Projected Growth: 8%

If you feel led to teach and are passionate about sharing historical facts with others, becoming a history professor is an excellent fit for you. History teachers work at all grade levels, including elementary, middle, and high school. As a history professor, you'll develop and give lectures to post-secondary students at public and private colleges and universities or community colleges.

Historian

2023 Median Annual Pay: $72,890
Degree Requirements: Master's degree for entry-level jobs
2023-33 Projected Growth: 6%

Historians "research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past by studying historical documents and sources," according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. They also analyze and interpret historical information to assess its authenticity, engage with the public via presentations and educational programs, and archive or preserve artifacts in museums, visitor centers, and historical sites. Historians do research and analysis for a variety of organizations like historical associations, individuals, governments, businesses, and nonprofits.

Researcher

2023 Median Annual Pay: $60,960
Degree Requirements: Master's degree
2023-33 Projected Growth: 0%

As a professional researcher, you'll probably start as a research assistant. You'll work as part of a team, gathering data and information on specific topics. Researchers work in many fields, like marketing, data science, and medicine. For example, survey researchers work in businesses, polling organizations, nonprofits, and colleges or universities. They also design and conduct surveys and analyze data.

Journalist

2023 Median Annual Pay: $57,500
Degree Requirements: Bachelor's degree in journalism, history, or a related field
2023-33 Projected Growth: -3%

News analysts, journalists, and reporters conduct research and may travel to gather information, conduct interviews, and write stories to share with the public. Journalists with a history degree may draw upon their historical knowledge to draft stories or report on national and international events. Journalists may work for online or print publications, news stations, newspapers, or in television or radio broadcasting. Self-employed freelance journalists can (and do) work remotely from anywhere in the world. One thing to keep in mind is that the projected job growth in this field is declining, so pursuing this calling should definitely be rooted in a passion for keeping the community informed and using your role to spread God's Word.

Librarian

2023 Median Annual Pay: $64,370
Degree Requirements: Master's in library science or a related field
2023-33 Projected Growth: 3%

As a librarian, your history degree research skills come in handy as you serve others by helping them find information and guiding them to perform their research in a library or online. In this role, you may also create, use, and organize library materials and maintain and expand existing collections by choosing new books, videos, and resources. Librarians and library media specialists can work at schools, local governments, businesses, and other organizations.

Museum Archivist, Curator, or Museum Technician

2023 Median Annual Pay: $57,120
Degree Requirements: Master's degree for archivists, curators, and conservators; bachelor's degree for museum technicians
2023-33 Projected Growth: 11%

Many history buffs love visiting museums. As a history degree holder, you can work as a museum archivist, curator, or museum technician. Archivists and curators oversee museum collections, whereas museum technicians or conservators prep and restore collection items.

In this career, people work in museums, at historical sites, for governments, colleges and universities, businesses, and more.

Lawyer

2023 Median Annual Pay: $145,760 per year
Degree Requirements: Doctoral degree (four years of undergraduate education and three years of law school).
2023-33 Projected Growth: 5%

Many lawyers have a bachelor's degree in history, political science, or a related field. DBU also offers a pre-law program to prep students who are following God's unique calling to serve others in the legal profession. Lawyers advise and represent clients in criminal or civil litigation or other legal matters. They research and interpret laws and judicial decisions to apply them to specific circumstances of a client's case. Lawyers work for local, state, and federal governments, as well as corporations, schools, hospitals, and private law firms. History is a standard bachelor's degree for law school entry.

Trust the scriptures along your path, knowing that when you lean into your faith, God will guide you. Hold fast to the promise of Psalm 32:8 ESV, which reads, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."