Labor Studies
A program that focuses on the study of various aspects of work, labor organization and policy, and labor movements from the perspective of the social sciences and history. Includes instruction in labor history; political and ideological issues; worker movements and social organizations; civil rights; labor law and policy studies; labor economics; international and comparative labor studies; and applications to specific industries, groups, locations, and time periods.
- Schools offering
- 11
- Annual completions
- 70
- Typical degree level
- Associate's + Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $67k
About this major
A program that focuses on the study of various aspects of work, labor organization and policy, and labor movements from the perspective of the social sciences and history. Includes instruction in labor history; political and ideological issues; worker movements and social organizations; civil rights; labor law and policy studies; labor economics; international and comparative labor studies; and applications to specific industries, groups, locations, and time periods.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human resources managers | $140k | +5.0% | Bachelor's degree |
| Business teachers, postsecondary | $97k | +5.7% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Labor relations specialists | $94k | -0.1% | Bachelor's degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$67k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$54k
Bachelor's
$69k
Top colleges for Labor Studies
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 0 | 35 | 35 |
| Indiana University-Northwest | Gary, IN | 5 | 3 | 8 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| CUNY Queens College | Queens, NY | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| San Francisco State University | San Francisco, CA | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills | Carson, CA | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Indiana University-South Bend | South Bend, IN | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Indiana University-Bloomington | Bloomington, IN | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center | New York, NY | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Related majors to explore
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Organizational Leadership
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Organizational Behavior Studies
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Labor and Industrial Relations
1,005 completions/yr
Human Resources Development
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Human Resources Management and Services, Other
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Dispute Resolution
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Considering this direction?
We've taken a hard look at the debt, earnings trajectory, and degree-level tradeoffs for the Labor Studies field. Read our verdict before you commit.
Is Labor Studies worth it? Read verdict