by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Labor Studies involves the study of 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. Read on to learn the key facts every labor studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering labor studies programs.
Nationwide, labor studies draws strong interest, with 180 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Labor Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 15 schools to determine the best overall colleges for labor studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of labor studies programs later in this article.
Studies in Labor Studies emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations labor studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a labor studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a labor studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several labor studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 94 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 78 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2 |
People currently working in careers related to labor studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 53.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 16.3% |
| Master’s degree | 9.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.7% |
| First professional degree | 2.6% |
| Some college courses | 2.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in labor studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in labor studies can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to labor studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to labor studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Managers | 404,262 | -3.6% |
| Labor Relations Specialists | 215,473 | 2.5% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 181,317 | 10.6% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of labor studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $56,722 |
| 4 years | $57,321 |
| 5 years | $65,449 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for labor studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers labor studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Labor Relations Specialists | $129,587 |
| Human Resources Managers | $95,702 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
With 15 different labor studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased labor studies school rankings to help you.
Students interested in labor studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General | 17,602 |
| Organizational Behavior Studies | 3,447 |
| Human Resources Development | 1,604 |
| Labor and Industrial Relations | 1,540 |
| Human Resources Management and Services, Other | 950 |
| Executive/Career Coaching | 101 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
