Good communication is key in any field. But what can you do with a communication studies degree? You could work in journalism or politics, do public relations or communications for a corporation or nonprofit, or use your digital skills for social advocacy. This means you could have a thrilling career in many different industries.
A Look at Communication Careers and Their Potential Earnings
Here’s a list of jobs in different areas, along with how much they usually pay per year. This will help you get an idea of where a degree in communication studies can lead.
Social Influence and Advocacy
- Advocacy Coordinator: $45,095
- Government Affairs Director: $209,600
- Nonprofit Organization Manager: $68,812
- Public Relations Specialist: $78,540
- Sales Manager: $62,070
- Social Media Manager: $56,918
Journalism
- Copy editor: $53,169
- Multimedia specialist: $66,837
- News anchor: $65,498
- Photojournalist: $44,506
- Radio host: $48,070
- Reporter/journalist: $49,300
Electronic Media
- Filmmaker: $51,042
- Motion graphic artist: $77,700
- News director: $65,530
- Screenwriter: $61,384
- Sound engineer: $58,360
- Video editor: $59,863
Public Relations
- Account executive: $56,962
- Brand manager: $102,552
- Chief information officer: $167,064
- Crisis communication specialist: 70,630
- Publicist: $50,309
- Media buyer and planner: $52,313
- Speechwriter: $85,717
Diverse Career Opportunities and Salaries in Communication Studies
When you choose a career in communication studies, you get to pick from a world of exciting jobs and earn good money. You could help change what people think as a public relations specialist, uncover breaking news stories as a journalist, or work to make the world a better place. Studying communications equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in your chosen field — and anywhere.
Salary and job projections come from national averages in the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources, including Glassdoor, Indeed, and industry-specific posts and publications. The data is meant to provide you with an idea of career options and salary ranges, not as a guarantee of obtaining these positions after graduation. These represent national averages and may vary by source and time frame collected. Actual salaries vary by region. Some jobs may require additional training or graduate education.
