Labor Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Labor Studies is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to examining the social, economic, and political dimensions of work and labor across historical and global contexts. This program equips students with critical analytical tools to understand the evolution of labor relations, the dynamics of worker advocacy, and the impact of policy on working people.
- Labor history: Explores the development of labor systems, working conditions, and key moments in the labor movement across different eras and regions.
- Political and ideological issues: Analyzes the influence of political ideologies, power structures, and social movements on labor organization and labor rights.
- Worker movements and social organizations: Investigates the formation, strategies, and impact of labor unions, grassroots coalitions, and other collective action networks.
- Civil rights and labor: Examines the intersection of labor struggles with broader civil rights efforts, including equity, inclusion, and justice in the workplace.
- Labor law and policy studies: Focuses on legal frameworks governing employment, collective bargaining, workplace safety, and labor regulation at national and international levels.
- Labor economics: Studies the economic forces shaping wages, employment trends, labor markets, and the distribution of income.
- International and comparative labor studies: Compares labor systems, policies, and worker experiences across countries and cultures to identify global patterns and differences.
- Applied labor analysis: Applies theoretical knowledge to real-world contexts, including specific industries, demographic groups, geographic regions, and historical periods.
Labor Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Labor Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Labor Studies degrees, including Human Resources Managers, Business Teachers, Postsecondary and Labor Relations Specialists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 361,890 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Managers 11-3121 | $140,030 | $83,790 - $239,200 | 215,520 | $67.32 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1011 | $97,270 | $46,460 - $210,530 | 81,780 | N/A |
| Labor Relations Specialists 13-1075 | $93,500 | $49,880 - $153,440 | 64,590 | $44.95 |
Labor Studies Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $72,127 in Arkansas to $143,810 in District of Columbia—a 99% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, California, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 361,890 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Labor Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 15 institutions offering Labor Studies programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Labor Studies is found at University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (55 graduates), CUNY Graduate School and University Center (39 graduates), University of Massachusetts, Amherst (21 graduates), Florida International University (FIU) (12 graduates), and California State University (CSUDH), Dominguez Hills (9 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 180 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
55 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
39 | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
|
21 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
12 | Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| California State University (CSUDH) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Carson, California | Public | csudh.edu |
| Indiana University (IUN) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
8 | Gary, Indiana | Public | iun.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Willimantic, Connecticut | Public | easternct.edu |
| San Francisco State University (SFSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | San Francisco, California | Public | sfsu.edu |
| Empire State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
6 | Saratoga Springs, New York | Public | sunyempire.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| Indiana University (IUSB) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | South Bend, Indiana | Public | iusb.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Labor Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Labor Studies degree?
Salaries for Labor Studies graduates vary by role and location. Human Resources Managers earn a median of $140,030 annually, while Business Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $97,270. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $143,810 compared to $72,127 in Arkansas. Approximately 361,890 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Labor Studies programs?
Currently 15 accredited institutions offer Labor Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (55 graduates), CUNY Graduate School and University Center (39 graduates), and University of Massachusetts, Amherst (21 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Labor Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 110 in 2010 to 180 in 2023-24. This represents a 64% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Labor Studies degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Human Resources Managers, Business Teachers, Postsecondary, and Labor Relations Specialists. Related occupations employ approximately 361,890 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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