A philosophy degree doesn’t mean you’re going to be a philosopher. It’s an excellent foundation for a variety of careers. Law is one popular option, but philosophy majors can be successful in many different fields. They are creative and analytical thinkers who can approach problems from different perspectives.
Companies have realized more and more that we’ve asked scientists and engineers to decide the ethics and morality of the work they do. That’s why many large companies are using a newer executive position called the “chief ethics officer.” This role examines and determines how to make an organization — and employees’ behavior — more ethical. These positions are considered compliance officers, and are ranked No. 17 among the best jobs in business. Growth is expected to be 8% by 2026.
Philosophy Careers and Salaries
A philosophy degree can lead to some of the best careers and salaries out there. Let’s take a look at what you can do with your degree in philosophy, and how much money you could make.
- Advertising sales agent: $54,940
- Arbitrator: $66,130
- Clinical ethicist: $104,463
- Compliance officer: $75,810
- Director of ethics and compliance: $146,829
- Lawyer: $127,990
- Market research analyst: $55,742
- Policy analyst: $78,957
- Political scientist: $122,510
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.