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
- 51
- 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 | 28 | 28 |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills | Carson, CA | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center | New York, NY | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Indiana University-Northwest | Gary, IN | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| San Francisco State University | San Francisco, CA | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Hofstra University | Hempstead, NY | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Indiana University-South Bend | South Bend, IN | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| CUNY Queens College | Queens, NY | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Related majors to explore
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Organizational Behavior Studies
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Labor and Industrial Relations
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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