East Asian Languages and Linguistics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
East Asian Languages and Linguistics offers an interdisciplinary exploration of the spoken and written traditions, structural systems, and cultural contexts of languages across East Asia. This program equips students with advanced analytical and communicative skills in languages such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, while fostering deep understanding of linguistic theory and literary expression across the region.
- East Asian Linguistics: Investigates the phonological, syntactic, and morphological structures of East Asian languages, including historical development and language variation across dialects and regions.
- Classical and Modern Literature: Examines literary works from ancient to contemporary periods, emphasizing narrative form, cultural themes, and historical evolution in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean literary traditions.
- Language Pedagogy and Acquisition: Focuses on effective teaching methodologies, second language learning processes, and curriculum development for East Asian language instruction.
- Cultural and Historical Contexts: Explores the interplay between language, identity, and societal change, with attention to philosophical, political, and artistic influences shaping linguistic expression.
- Translation and Interpretation Studies: Develops advanced skills in cross-linguistic translation, cultural adaptation, and critical interpretation of texts across East Asian languages and cultures.
East Asian Languages and Linguistics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
East Asian Languages and Linguistics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with East Asian Languages and Linguistics degrees, including Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education and Interpreters and Translators. 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 1,147,070 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1124 | $77,010 | $47,090 - $134,960 | 21,170 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Interpreters and Translators 27-3091 | $59,440 | $35,630 - $99,830 | 53,360 | $28.58 |
East Asian Languages and Linguistics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,357 in Mississippi to $92,850 in California—a 92% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,147,070 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 East Asian Languages and Linguistics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 6 institutions offering East Asian Languages and Linguistics 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 East Asian Languages and Linguistics is found at University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (33 graduates), Florida State University (FSU) (21 graduates), University of Chicago (UChicago) (17 graduates), Ohio State University, Main Campus (11 graduates), and University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (8 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 91 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 Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
33 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
17 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about East Asian Languages and Linguistics programs
How much can I earn with a East Asian Languages and Linguistics degree?
Salaries for East Asian Languages and Linguistics graduates vary by role and location. Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $77,010 annually, while Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn around $64,580. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $92,850 compared to $48,357 in Mississippi. Approximately 1,147,070 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 East Asian Languages and Linguistics programs?
Currently 6 accredited institutions offer East Asian Languages and Linguistics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (33 graduates), Florida State University (FSU) (21 graduates), and University of Chicago (UChicago) (17 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 East Asian Languages and Linguistics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 231 in 2010 to a peak of 115 in 2020, before declining slightly to 91 in 2023-24. This represents a 61% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 East Asian Languages and Linguistics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and Interpreters and Translators. Related occupations employ approximately 1,147,070 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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