Going to college usually helps people earn more money, but not every degree leads to a high salary — especially if you study subjects like liberal arts. A new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that people who major in education, social work, or the arts tend to earn the least in the first five years after college. This report only looks at full-time workers with a bachelor’s degree and doesn’t include students still in school.
The pay numbers are based on 2023 data. They show that early-career salaries in these fields are lower than the US average wage of $48,060 that year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Engineering graduates can earn over $80,000 early on, but those with degrees in liberal arts or education often make around $40,000. The average salary for all majors in the study was $50,000.
The study lists the 10 college majors with the lowest median salaries for full-time workers aged 22 to 27. Here are ten college majors that usually lead to lower-paying jobs, based on what the future of middle-class jobs looks like:
1. Social Work: Important Work, Low Pay
Social workers start with about $40,000 a year. Their jobs are very important, but the pay is low because public funding is often tight. The work is emotionally tough, leading many to leave the field after a few years. Cities tend to pay more than rural areas, but overall, the pay doesn’t match the value of the work.
2. Theology and Religion: Fewer Jobs and Low Salaries
Graduates make about $36,000 early on. Jobs are mostly in churches, teaching, or religious organizations. Fewer people are religious today, so there are fewer jobs. These careers can be meaningful, but it’s hard to reach middle-class income without extra work or moving into leadership roles.
3. Liberal Arts: Wide Skills, Few High-Paying Jobs
Liberal arts graduates earn about $38,000 when starting out. They learn useful skills like communication and critical thinking, but many end up in lower-paying jobs that don’t fully use these skills. Pay raises are slow unless they change fields or get more education.
4. Performing Arts: Too Many Artists, Not Enough Jobs
Performing arts majors also start around $38,000. Many can’t find steady work and often juggle multiple part-time jobs. While a few make it big, most face unstable income and struggle to reach a middle-class lifestyle.
5. Early Childhood Education: Important but Underpaid
Starting salaries are about $40,000. Early childhood teachers are crucial, but they are underpaid compared to others with similar education. Salaries don’t rise much even later, making it hard to afford living in expensive cities.
6. Leisure and Hospitality: Ups and Downs with the Economy
Graduates start at around $40,000. Jobs in hotels, tourism, and events are among the first to suffer during economic downturns. Automation is also cutting jobs, making it hard to find stable, well-paying work.
7. Psychology: A Bachelor’s Degree Isn’t Enough
Psychology majors earn about $40,000 early on. However, better-paying jobs usually require a master’s or doctorate, which can be very expensive. Without further study, most are stuck in lower-paying jobs like HR or social services.
8. Fine Arts: Creativity Over Cash
Fine arts grads start around $40,000. Jobs in museums or design are few and highly competitive. Many have to shift into fields like marketing or digital design to earn more. Loving what you do often comes at the cost of lower pay.
9. Foreign Languages: Technology Taking Over
Starting pay is about $40,000. Jobs like translation are being taken over by AI, reducing demand for human translators. Combining language skills with business or law can help. Speaking high-demand languages like Chinese or Arabic improves job prospects.
10. History: Few Direct Career Paths
History majors start with about $40,000. Jobs like teaching or museum work don’t pay much. Many go back to school for law or other advanced degrees, adding debt. History teaches useful skills like research and analysis, but graduates need to work hard to show employers how these skills apply to business or government jobs.