The Salary of a Linguist
Linguists study how humans acquire their knowledge of speech and in what manner it works with other mental processes. Linguistics is a science in which experiments are undertaken to further examine the human language. Linguists use this knowledge in many ways, including the development of computer programs that can model language.
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Opportunity
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According to the Linguistic Society of America, linguists have many opportunities for employment. Work is available in the computer industry designing speech recognition software. Linguists can also work in the educational field developing curriculums, teaching English as a second language (ESL), or teaching at the university level. They are commonly employed as interpreters and translators. The U.S. government, including the Foreign Service and FBI, regularly employs linguists both in the U.S. and abroad.
Education and Training
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Linguists are required to have a major in linguistics from a recognized university. They are expected to be proficient in at least one other language beside English. Many linguists will choose to have a double major in an additional discipline such as computer science, education, cognitive science or a foreign language. There are many opportunities beyond a bachelor's degree, including speech and therapy clinical programs; master's or doctoral programs in cognitive science, computer sciences, linguistics and psychology; and programs for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages.
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Earnings
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Based on PayScale data, earnings for a linguist range from $39,988 to $80,513 annually. The pay is comprised mainly of salary with up to 10 percent of earnings linked to a bonus.
Statistics
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The opportunities for a linguist are equally available for both men and women. Those new to the field have a good chance at employment. A large percentage (44 percent) of linguists employed have four years or less of experience, with only 24 percent having 10 or more years. Eighty percent of linguists have health benefits, the most common being medical (78 percent) followed by dental and vision.
Considerations
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Linguists find employment across a wide spectrum of industry, including intelligence and surveillance, government contracting, translation services, consultancy and information technology. Earnings are greatest for government contractors and those working in information technology. As a result, the areas with the top five highest average salaries are those with large government presences: Fort Meade, Maryland; Reston, Virginia; Augusta, Georgia; Washington, D.C., and San Antonio, Texas.
Outlook
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The United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics categorizes linguists as "social scientists (other)." The employment outlook in this category remains above average but varies according to discipline. Linguists with more-advanced degrees, double majors in a related field and published work will remain easily employed.
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