If you’re thinking about entering the field of communications, you’re probably wondering about the average salary of someone with a communications degree. This particular degree option is of ever-increasing value today, but in the end, you still want to know what’s it truly worth in monetary terms. Here we’ll try to shade some light on this common question.
Helpful Statistics
First, it’s important to note that the field of communications, and its various applications in the world, is immeasurably huge. Because of such professional breadth, it can often be quite difficult to find concrete data that indeed applies to the overall entirety of the field. Luckily, in this case, there is some actual reliable research done on just this subject.
According to the findings of the Georgetown Public Policy Institute (GPPI), and as cited by the National Communication Association, recently graduated communications majors make a median $33,000 annually. For reference, this is equal to law and public policy majors but slightly less than business majors. The study also finds that communications graduates have a lower unemployment rate than many other recent grads. In addition and quite interestingly, the GPPI studies found that mass media concentrations within communications yielded some of the fields worst returns on college investment. Individuals in this area showed an overall recent graduate unemployment rate of 8.9% and median earnings of around $31,000 yearly.
Sample Jobs, Pay Rates
Such statistical studies can be an immense help in understanding a major and the real-life promise attached to it. Beyond this, though, another great way to survey the field and the value of the degree-holder therein is by simply reviewing regular job ads listed for such persons. In that same spirit, let’s look to a few job ads currently running for persons of this caliber. With the omission of actual company names and identifications, the following are real and current ads that demonstrate various pay rates for recent communications graduates.
This job listing is for a significant historic foundation and their need to fill a marketing and general communications position. A Bachelor of Arts in Communication is desired. Resulting starting pay is listed as $19 per hour.
Within a particular budgeting office of the federal government, a new hire is sought with a communications degree. The position is a communications internship with a chance to continue on as a full-time employee. Starting pay rate here is listed as between $16 and $24 per hour.
A degree in communications is preferred for this position as well as some sort of communications experience. In this position, you act as the life-saving point of contact between 911 callers and the vital emergency services they need. Additional duties include some administrative and clerical departmental tasks as well. Starting pay here is listed as $36,669 – $55,003 yearly.
The communications field is indeed a vast industry in which one can work any number of positions. As a result, pay rates in this field vary greatly as well. Like in all other fields, however, the greater the degree level, the greater the jobs and associated wages. If you would like even more information as to the average salary of someone with a communications degree, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the National Communication Association are highly recommended resources with which to proceed further.
Related Resource:
Top 10 Best Online Communications Degree Programs