Introduction & Overview of Lowest Paying Majors
When Maya graduated from high school, she dreamed of becoming a teacher. She loved helping students and knew that education was her calling. But five years after completing her degree in early childhood education, she saw that her income was much lower than many friends who studied engineering or computer science. Maya’s story is shared by many learners: pursuing a major you care about is important, but some majors tend to lead to lower pay.
This article is for students like you who are choosing a major. We focus on lowest paying majors, why they tend to lag in earnings, and what that might mean for your future. We offer blogs and articles about education and learning to help you weigh what you care about most—passion, job satisfaction, and money. In this first section, we introduce which majors often end up with the lowest salaries and what early numbers show.
What Are the “Lowest Paying Majors”?
“Lowest paying majors” refer to college degrees that, especially early in graduates’ careers, lead to lower median incomes compared to other fields. According to a New York Federal Reserve study, full‑time workers with bachelor’s degrees in liberal arts, performing arts, and theology earn a median salary of about $38,000 five years after graduation (New York Fed via CNBC, 2024)¹. Other majors like leisure and hospitality, history, fine arts, and psychology tend to make $40,000 or less in that same time frame (CNBC, 2024)¹.
In contrast, majors in engineering and computer science show much higher early‑career earnings: for example, computer engineering graduates have a median of $80,000 five years after college (CNBC, 2024)². That’s roughly double what many “lowest paying majors” bring in.
Why Do These Majors Pay Less?
Here are some key reasons why lowest paying majors often lead to lower salaries:
Career progression & growth: In many low‑pay majors, even if people stay long term, salary growth tends to be slower and ceilings lower than in high‑pay fields. Additionally, some roles require advanced degrees to reach higher pay, which means more cost and time.
Demand vs. supply: Majors like liberal arts or theology see many graduates each year, but job markets for those fields may not have as many high‑paying roles. Majors with technical or quantitative skills (STEM fields) are in higher demand, which raises their wages.
Sector and employer type: Many graduates in lowest paying majors go into public service, nonprofit work, or education, where funding is limited and salaries are often fixed or regulated. Private industry, especially in technology or engineering, tends to pay more.
Specialization & transferable skills: Majors like engineering often teach specific technical skills that are directly needed in high‑paying industries; whereas liberal arts and humanities often teach broader critical thinking or communication skills, which are valuable but less directly tied to large revenue streams.
Deep Research — Why Lowest Paying Majors Earn Less & What That Means
Choosing a major isn’t just about what you like — it has a big effect on your earnings now and later. For students, understanding why some fields are among the lowest paying majors helps make smarter decisions. This section looks at causes, data, and what learners can do about it.
Key Data: Early‑Career vs Mid‑Career Differences
Here are tables showing how big the pay gaps are between majors often counted among the lowest paying and those in high‑pay fields. The differences show up early after graduation and continue into mid‑career.
| Major | Median Salary ~5 Years After Graduation | Median Salary Mid‑Career (Ages 35‑45) | Growth from Early to Mid‑Career |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts; Performing Arts; Theology / Religion | US$ 38,000 (lowest group) (New York Fed analysis via CNBC, 2024) | Around US$ 52,000 for theology / religion mid‑career; education fields slightly lower (CNBC, 2024) | ≈ 1.3× growth or less |
| Early Childhood Education | ≈ US$ 40,000 early career (Federal Reserve Bank data, CNBC, 2025) | ≈ US$ 49,000 mid career (same source) | ≈ 1.225× growth |
| STEM majors (for contrast, e.g. engineering) | Often US$ 80,000 or more early career (New York Fed study, CNN/Business reports, 2024) | Many exceed US$ 110,000‑130,000+ in mid‑career (same studies) | ≈ 1.4× or more growth |
| Major | Early‑Career Median Salary | Difference vs Median for All Majors (~US$ 48,000‑50,000) | Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Languages; Liberal Arts | ~US$ 40,000 | ~US$ 8,000‑10,000 below median | Low‑earning relative fields early on (NY Fed, 2025) |
| Education / Social Work / Arts | ~US$ 40,000 or less | Often 20‑25% below median | These are frequently lowest paying majors early (CNBC, 2025) |
Main Reasons Why These Majors Pay Less
From the data and research, here are the strongest reasons why lowest paying majors lag behind in income:
- Lower market demand for high‑pay jobs: Majors like theology/religion, performing arts, liberal arts often lead to careers in sectors that don’t produce large profits (public schools, nonprofits, arts, community work). Because there are fewer high‑pay roles in those sectors, salaries are lower (New York Fed via CNBC, 2024 & 2025).
- Small wage growth over time: Some majors only show modest increases from early career to mid career. For example, early childhood education increases only a few thousand dollars from early career to mid career (CNBC, 2025).
- Oversupply vs demand imbalance: Many students pursue humanities, education, and social sciences, but the number of jobs that pay well in those fields does not grow at the same pace. This makes competition high and average salaries lower (CNBC, 2024).
- Pay‑structure constraints in certain fields: Public sector jobs (e.g. teaching) are tied to government budgets, union rules, state or district funding, and salary schedules. These often lag behind inflation or private sector pay increases (CNBC, 2024).
- Lower starting salaries and fewer bonus/extra pay opportunities: Majors that are lowest paying tend not to have many opportunities for high bonuses or high commission or performance pay compared to business, tech, finance.
- Socioeconomic inequality and major choice: Students from lower income backgrounds are more likely to choose majors that pay less, for reasons including affordability, perceived risk, access. This ties major choice to long‑term income inequality (Brookings, 2024).
Implications for Learners
Knowing this, learners have some clear options and challenges. Here are ways to use the data:
Trade‑Offs of Choosing a Lowest Paying Major
- Pros
• Passion and satisfaction: If you love the field, job meaning can outweigh some financial sacrifices.
• Contribution to community / society: Majors like education, arts, social work have social value and impact.
• Flexibility: Some jobs with these majors offer flexible hours, less pressure from corporate profit demands. - Cons
• Lower lifetime earnings: Because starting pay is lower and growth is slower, lifetime income gap vs STEM/business majors can be large.
• Debt burden is heavier in proportion: If you borrow for your degree, paying it back is harder with lower income.
• Fewer high‑pay leadership or specialization roles tied directly to these fields unless you pursue further education or shift fields.
What Learners Can Do to Improve Earnings Even in Low‑Pay Majors
- Pair your major with marketable skills (e.g. tech, data analytics, communication tech, digital tools).
- Do internships, part‑time work, or volunteering in high‑value sectors that can build your resume.
- Consider minors or certificates that complement your major and may open doors in higher paying fields.
- Explore graduate education when it makes financial sense (some graduate degrees bump up earnings in education/social sciences).
- Network actively; build a portfolio or practical experience (for example, teachers doing tutoring or online content work, arts majors doing freelance or commissions).
Wider Effects & Equity Concerns
There are also larger social and policy issues tied to these patterns:
- Majors with low earnings contribute significantly to income inequality, especially since students from disadvantaged backgrounds tend to be overrepresented in those fields (Brookings, 2024).
- Access to high‑earning majors is sometimes limited by prior preparation, school resources, mentorship, or awareness—so some students never see STEM or more technical majors as options.
- Public perception of the value of certain majors is affected by these earnings data. That can discourage students who might love those fields or could succeed in them.
- Policy levers (like funding for public education, teacher salaries, support for arts and humanities programs) are important if the goal is more equitable outcomes.
Case Study Comparison
To see the difference more concretely:
| Major | Early Career Median (~5 years) | Mid‑Career Median (35‑45 years) | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theology / Religion | ~US$ 36,000 early (five years out) (New York Fed via CNBC, 2023) | ~US$ 52,000 mid‑career (same field) (CNBC, 2024) | Slow growth; stays below many majors throughout career |
| Engineering (e.g. chemical / computer engineering) | ~US$ 80,000 early (five years out) (New York Fed, 2024) | ~US$ 110,000‑130,000 mid‑career (depending on discipline and experience) | Big early advantage; growth continues to be strong |
Navigating Your Major Choice: Insights, Actions, and Support
Choosing a college major is a pivotal decision that can significantly influence your career trajectory and financial well-being. While passion and interest are essential, it’s equally important to consider the economic implications of your choice. This section delves into how you can make informed decisions, the role of external support, and how our resources can assist you in this journey.
Understanding the Economic Landscape
Certain majors, particularly in the humanities, arts, and social sciences, are associated with lower median earnings both early in one’s career and in mid-career stages. For instance, graduates in liberal arts, performing arts, and theology often earn around $38,000 annually five years post-graduation, with many others earning $40,000 or less during that period (CNBC, 2024). This wage trajectory can be influenced by various factors, including the selectivity of the institution attended. Research indicates that even within the same field of study, graduates from more selective colleges tend to have higher earnings, highlighting the impact of institutional prestige on economic outcomes (ScienceDirect, 2021).
Additionally, student loan debt can affect career choices. Arts graduates, in particular, with over $10,000 in undergraduate student loan debt, are less likely to enter arts-related careers compared to their debt-free counterparts. This financial burden may compel them to seek employment outside their field of study to manage debt repayment (SAGE Journals, 2023).
Strategic Actions for Students
To navigate the challenges associated with choosing a major, consider the following strategies:
- Conduct Thorough Research: Utilize resources that provide data on median earnings by major, job growth projections, and employment rates. Understanding the economic landscape of various fields can help you make an informed decision.
- Develop Complementary Skills: Regardless of your chosen major, acquiring skills in areas such as digital literacy, communication, and data analysis can enhance your employability and adaptability in the job market.
- Seek Real-World Experience: Internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer opportunities can provide practical experience, build your resume, and potentially lead to higher-paying roles.
- Consult Academic Advisors and Career Services: Engage with professionals who can offer personalized advice, help you explore different career paths, and connect you with relevant opportunities.
- Consider Graduate Education Wisely: While advanced degrees can lead to higher earnings, they also come with additional costs and time commitments. Evaluate the return on investment before pursuing further education.
The Role of External Support
External resources, such as blogs, articles, and career guides, play a crucial role in providing information and guidance. Our platform offers:
- Data-Driven Insights: Access to articles that summarize data on major pay, job satisfaction, and employment trends, helping you compare different fields.
- Real-World Case Studies: Stories of individuals who have navigated various career paths, offering lessons learned and strategies for success.
- Skill Development Resources: Guides on building complementary skills, finding internships, and leveraging career services to enhance your employability.
- Financial Planning Advice: Information on budgeting, managing student debt, and evaluating the financial implications of different career choices.
Policy Considerations and Institutional Roles
Educational institutions and policymakers also play a significant role in shaping career outcomes for graduates. Research indicates that students from low-income backgrounds are often concentrated in majors that lead to lower earnings. For example, 81% of students in “Human Services, General” majors are Pell Grant recipients, with average earnings of $44,000, compared to 38% in “Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration” majors, where average earnings are $109,000 (Brookings, 2024). This disparity underscores the need for universities to make lucrative majors more accessible to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
Conclusion
While choosing a major in a lower-paying field presents challenges, it is not an insurmountable obstacle. By conducting thorough research, developing complementary skills, seeking real-world experience, and utilizing available resources, you can make informed decisions that align with your passions and financial goals. Remember, your major is just one aspect of your career journey, and with proactive planning and support, you can navigate the path to success.
Works Cited
SAGE Journals. “When Debt Deters: Student Loans as a Predictor of Education-Job Match Among Arts Bachelor’s Graduates.” Journal of Career Development, vol. 50, no. 3, 2023, pp. 302–317.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/08948453221118030
CNBC. “Worst-Paying College Majors, Five Years After Graduation.” CNBC, 16 Mar. 2024.
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/16/worst-paying-college-majors-five-years-after-graduation.html
CNBC. “The 10 Worst-Paying College Majors, 5 Years After Graduation.” CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/26/worst-paying-college-majors.html
Brookings Institution. “Economic Inequalities Among College Graduates Are Linked to College Major Choice.” Brookings, 29 Feb. 2024.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/economic-inequalities-among-college-graduates-are-linked-to-college-major-choice/
ScienceDirect. “Same Major, Same Economic Returns? College Selectivity and Earnings Inequality in Young Adulthood.” Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, vol. 75, Oct. 2021, 100647.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0276562421000676
