Average Salary With A Masters In History

For some people earning a masters degree in history sounds like an option that has no real practical use when trying to get a job. However, you might be interested to learn that a masters in history can lead to quite a lucrative career if you know where to look for a job. Learning about the past can really help your future!

Average Salary by Job

The amount you’ll earn with a masters degree in history depends in part on the job you take after you graduate. There are tons of options out there for history majors, but here are a few of your options, along with the average salaries you can expect according to reports by PayScale.com:

• Executive Assistant: $45,000
• Middle School Teacher: $47,831
• Assistant Professor: $49,382
• Archivist: $49,495
• High School Teacher: $50,231
• Non-Profit Executive Director: $63,500

Salary by Experience

Another factor that affects your salary is the level of experience you have. Of course, as you gain experience, you’ll make more money. A starting salary with a master’s degree in history averages just under $40,000 annually. However, with twenty years or more of experience, that salary average doubles. Keep in mind also that you have the potential to earn bonuses as well. Your bonus can be anything from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Depending on where you work, your experience might also make you eligible for other perks like better benefits, free classes to pursue another master’s degree or a doctorate degree, and more.

Other Factors that Affect Salary

Your job title and experience in the field are only two of the many factors that ultimately affect the salary you’ll earn as a graduate with a masters degree. For example, location plays a large role in this field. In Virginia, for example, you can expect an average of around $78,000 annually, whereas in Massachusetts, you can expect only about an average salary of about $50,000 annually. Other factors that play a role include:

• The types of employer who hires you
• The size of employer who hires you
• Your history specialization
• Whether you live in an urban area or a rural area
• Whether or not you are a manager or in another leadership role

Keep in mind that some jobs come with better benefits packages as well, so even if one salary is higher than the other, it might not be the best job, financially. Check out all of your options!