18 Enjoyable Career Options for Spanish Majors
Here are the best careers for Spanish majors! There are surely many options to choose from—whether you want to work for the government, a non-profit, or an international business—so I’ve made sure this list of Spanish majors and professions will provide you invaluable expertise to help you get the job of your dreams.
Read along as I go over the skills you will receive as a Spanish major, explore 18 of the most popular career opportunities, and review which are good minors for Spanish majors.
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Skills You Develop With a Spanish Major
There is a great number of careers for Spanish majors because these programs teach highly demanded and valuable skills.
Spanish majors focus deeply on writing and speaking practice. As a result, Spanish majors develop strong written and oral communication skills. This makes them excellent at professions that involve writing, advertising, and communication.
Of course, all Spanish majors gain Spanish proficiency so they are able to understand people who speak another language. This skill is perfect for any job that requires translation or interpretation.
Lesser-known traits of Spanish majors are problem-solving and critical thinking. When you study Spanish, you learn not only about a second language but also a whole new culture. This opens your mind to new perspectives and ways of thinking.
This way, Spanish majors gain intercultural competence and global awareness. Countless companies are looking for these skills as globalization makes the world more interconnected than ever.
18 Awesome Careers for Spanish Majors
With numerous jobs hiring Spanish majors, this degree allows for a diverse range of career options. Whether you’re looking for entry-level jobs, high-paying jobs, or travel-friendly jobs, Spanish opens the door to amazing opportunities.
1. Writer
There are hundreds of different kinds of writers. From book authors to bloggers, this occupation is extremely versatile. Spanish majors are perfect for this role as they have excellent writing and proofreading skills.
Writers make an average of $51,658 a year but this varies by industry. New York and California are some of the best states to live in if you want to become a writer. Starting writers make around $31,000 but if you live in one of these more popular locations then pay is usually higher.
There are thousands of job openings for bilingual writers who can bring stories and products to life on paper.
2. Translator
A translator converts writings from one language into another. This makes it a perfect opportunity for Spanish majors who know two or more languages.
Translators have a starting salary at around $32,080 but this number quickly goes up with experience. The median salary is $50,187 with top earners receiving over $77,000 a year.
Washington DC has a huge need for bilingual speakers to help put government and political documents into other languages. As a result, it’s one of the top locations for translators! The median salary at this location is $68,722 with the top 10% of earners receiving over $111,000.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for interpreters and translators is projected to grow 20% between 2019 and 2029. Fast professional growth and higher earnings potential, makes translation one of the most popular careers for Spanish majors!
3. Interpreter
Many people confuse interpreters with translators or mistakenly believe that they are the same occupation. Translators only work with written works while interpreters work with spoken words. The role of an interpreter is to bridge the oral communication gap between two or more parties who do not speak the same language.
Interpreters can expect to start out with a salary of $33,320. The median salary for interpreters is $44,312, while the highest-paid interpreters make over $77,000. Interpreters are expected to see job growth in the coming years as the number of Spanish speakers in the United States increases.
If you’re interested in interpreting, consider moving to a big city like San Francisco, California, or Austin, Texas. These areas have especially large numbers of Spanish speakers making interpreters high in demand. As a result, these interpreters receive some of the highest pay!
4. Foreign Service Officer
Foreign service officers represent the U.S. government abroad by conducting relations with foreign countries and international organizations. Their job is to promote and protect U.S. political and economic interests overseas.
The foreign service is a hugely sought-after field. In fact, almost 90% of foreign service officers stay in this field for life. Entry-level salary is around $55,000 but this increases to about $85,000 after the second year in service. You can apply to be a foreign service officer by checking the U.S. Department of the State for openings.
5. International Relations Consultant
International relations consultants are involved in all business activities abroad. They assess the organization’s activities in foreign markets, help develop strategic plans for emerging markets abroad and communicate effectively in multiple languages.
The pay for international relations consultants can range from $67,000 to $70,000. This number can vary greatly depending on the type of company you work for. To earn the highest salaries, apply to well-known global companies, like McDonald’s for example.
6. UNESCO Official
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. This non-profit organization is committed to promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture.
With its headquarters based in Paris, France, and 53 Field Offices and Institutes worldwide, UNESCO offers a myriad of opportunities for cultural enthusiasts. Starting salaries for officials begin at around $43,866 per year and you can visit UNESCO Careers to apply for current openings!
7. Social Worker
Social work is a rewarding job designed to help struggling members of the community. Social workers work at mental health clinics, schools, hospitals, and more. Duties range greatly with workers helping in everything from child adoption to terminal illness diagnosis.
Social workers make an average of $49,022 per year but a master’s degree in social work can help you find leadership positions in the field. If you love helping others and are good at tackling difficult situations then social work might be right for you!
8. International Banking Officer
International banking offers high-paying jobs for Spanish majors. These banking officers help financial institutions run smoothly by maintaining a strong knowledge of international culture, business, and legal issues that pertain to banking. International banking officers make an average of $71,149 each year.
This job requires extensive knowledge of international finance. To prepare for this position, consider minoring in finance and be sure to study up on financial terms in Spanish. Get started with a career in international banking by checking out popular banks like JPMorgan for job openings!
9. Travel Agent
A travel agent’s job is to make travel planning easy and quick for their clients. Many businesses and families don’t want to spend days on end designing the perfect trip. Travel agents take on this job by determining the best destinations, transportation arrangements, and accommodations for their clients’ specific needs.
Travel agents make an average annual salary of $39,794, but popular destinations like Arizona can pay much higher. If you love planning and making new connections with clients, then this job could be a perfect fit for you! Consider applying to travel companies like Hopper or Marriott Vacations.
10. Immigration Officer
Immigration officers work for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that oversees lawful immigration. They research and analyze applications, petitions, and documentation of potential immigrants. They also interview applicants and assess their credibility. These officers have an important role in denying or granting petitions that can have a huge impact on peoples’ lives.
Immigration officers make an average annual salary of $59,789 and have an extremely high job rate satisfaction. 4.6 out of 5 people rated themselves as extremely satisfied in this role. If you want to join them, then go to the USCIS website for current openings.
11. Journalist
Journalists work hard investigating, collecting, and presenting information so that they can create the best news story possible. You’ve probably seen them on TV or heard them on the radio detailing the latest happenings in your area. Journalism is important so that audiences can receive well-rounded and unbiased information in a clear manner.
With their strong written and oral communication skills, Spanish majors are well prepared for this position. You can make the average annual salary of $42,074 by checking out JournalismJobs for possible openings.
12. Intelligence Specialist
Intelligence specialists work for the government to piece together information that affects national security. This position requires strong analytical, communication, and discretion skills. If you’re good at discerning information and keeping secrets then this is the right position for you.
Intelligence officers are paid well for their important work with an average salary of $70,500 per year. You can search for openings in the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard.
13. Flight Attendant
If you love to travel then consider becoming a flight attendant. Flight attendants get to roam all over the globe for free! Their job is to ensure passenger safety and comfort during the long journey. From providing food and drink to handling customer complaints, they are the passengers’ first point of contact on air.
Salaries start at around $41,000 per year but go up with experience and location. The best areas to work in are large cities that have lots of planes coming in and out each day. Denver, Colorado, Orlando, Florida, and Chicago, Illinois are just some examples of popular cities. If you’d like to become a flight attendant, you can apply for popular airlines like Delta.
14. Business Development Manager
Business development managers identify and take advantage of new business opportunities. From networking to cold calling, this versatile job does whatever it takes to get a business up and running successfully.
Spanish majors can use their communication and problem-solving skills to succeed in this role. This is one of the higher paying careers for Spanish majors with an average annual salary of $74,476 and a job satisfaction rating of 4 out of 5.
15. Tour Guide
Everyone loves going on vacation! However, it can be intimidating trying to navigate a foreign area by yourself. Tour guides provide valuable assistance and information on cultural heritage, sightseeing, and more. They also help tourists find educational establishments, religious and historical sites, and attraction resorts.
Tour guides make an average of $36,500 per year. Working as a tour guide means you have to know all about the area so you’ll want to pick a location that you find fascinating. This passion will make it easier for you to learn about the area and also make your tours more exciting!
16. Bilingual Customer Support
This job is one of the best careers for Spanish majors! Customer service jobs have a huge need for bilingual speakers as companies continue to serve more and more Spanish speakers. Bilingual customer support specializes in responding to clients in both English and Spanish. Their job is to address any inquiries, concerns, or issues that the customer has. The average annual salary is $38,357 with companies like Bank of America and Synchrony paying higher than average.
17. Advertiser
When you think of careers for Spanish majors, advertisers might not make your list. However, this job is perfect for someone with a Spanish degree. Advertising is a position in Marketing related to product and service promotion. Advertisers use mass media like newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and mail to promote their company’s products and services.
Spanish speakers can create advertisements in two languages and thereby increase the number of people who can see their work. This results in more sales and success. Additionally, Spanish majors can use their cultural knowledge to create advertisements geared towards different groups of people.
Most advertisers make an average annual salary of $58,572. Large companies like Procter and Gamble are always looking for new marketing and advertising specialists.
18. Teacher
Teaching is one of the most popular Spanish major careers! The U.S. is currently in great need of additional Spanish teachers to keep up with the high demand for this language. High school teachers make an average of $50,701 per year but this increases at the collegiate level.
To teach in middle or high school, you only need a bachelor’s degree and teaching certification. College professors require some degree of higher education but also get paid more.
California and New Hampshire are some of the best states to live in for Spanish teachers. The average annual salary in these locations is $54,347 with top earners making more than $70,000. If your heart is in teaching, then apply to a local school or college today!
Good Minors for Spanish Majors
Now that you know what careers for Spanish majors are available, you should have an easier time picking out a minor. For example, if you’re interested in government jobs, then minoring in political science or international studies would be a good pick. However, if you prefer finance or advertising jobs then you might consider a business minor. Ultimately, you’ll want to pick a minor that compliments your Spanish major and helps you gain the skills you need for your future career.
Earn More Money With a Spanish Degree
According to the Economist, you can earn $50,000 to $125,000 more just because of knowing a foreign language! This makes a Spanish major a lucrative choice with so many well-paying careers for Spanish majors.
If you haven’t started college yet, then now is the perfect time to get ahead on your Spanish skills! Many colleges allow you to test out of lower-level classes. By studying early, you can skip ahead to higher-level courses and graduate sooner.
Save money on college by signing up for a free trial class at Homeschool Spanish Academy and start achieving fluency faster.
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