Human ecology programs often incorporate elements of social sciences, as well as design and technology in their curriculum.
This multidisciplinary approach will help prepare you to become an effective professional in careers where you will be solving complex problems that help meet the changing needs of individuals, families, communities, and consumers.
For example, with a human ecology degree, you will have the foundation to succeed in career fields that vary from graphic design, to cultural diversity consulting, to fashion merchandising.
Although some careers related to this field require further education and training (Nutritionist and Lawyer among others), a major in it still serves as excellent preparation for advanced study in areas related to these careers, such as Nutrition, Law, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Family Studies and many others.
So, if you want to know more about where this degree can take you, read on below. This careers guide contains detailed occupational information on relevant career paths. Included are job descriptions, expected salaries, educational requirements and other pertinent information related to these careers. We’ve also included human ecology-specific scholarships to help you pay for school!
Careers Relevant to a Human Ecology Degree
The knowledge and skills you can gain by studying human ecology at the university level serve as an excellent foundation for a variety of careers - either because the subject matter of the degree relates to the occupational field, or because the skills you’ll need to be an effective employee can be gained in a human ecology degree program.
Below is a list of careers in our database that we feel are relevant to the field for the one of the above-noted reasons:
• Blogger
• Florist
• Multiculturalism Liaison Officer
Please Note: Some of the above listed careers require additional education, training and/or experience. Click on careers that are of interest to you to find out more about the qualifications you’ll need.
Employable Skills of Graduates
As a result of the classroom and hands-on work in human ecology, you’ll be armed with a knowledge base and skill set that you can apply to a wide variety of careers. These skills include:
• Knowledge of consumer interests and related marketing techniques
• Able to create effective merchandising strategies
• Proficiency in Computer Aided Design (CAD) techniques
• Able to create and disseminate consumer related data and information
• Able to effectively integrate scientific, aesthetic and social values into complex decision-making concerning public issues
• The ability to develop and deliver programs related to topics such as human relationships, family systems, food, nutrition, clothing/textiles and financial management
What Types of Employers Hire Graduates?
Human Ecology graduates are equipped with a unique and diverse skill set. Most graduates have at least a basic level of knowledge in areas as diverse as nutrition, interior design, graphic design, family sciences, communications, marketing and many other areas.
That’s a lot to bring to the table as an employee, wouldn't you agree? As a result of these diverse skills, many different types of employers are interested in graduates of this field, including:
• Arts organizations
• Community based organizations
• Credit counseling services
• Family counseling services
• Financial sales agencies
• Food manufacturers, retailers and marketers
• Government agencies
• Health services
• High schools and universities
• Home builders
• Human services agencies
• Interior design firms
• International development agencies
• Museums and galleries
• Non-profit organizations
• Nutrition consulting agencies
• Philanthropic organizations
• Recreation groups/organizations
• Retail goods manufacturers, outlets or marketers
• Self-employment
• Textile manufacturers and distributors
• Utility companies
Areas of Focus Within This Field
Human ecology programs typically offer areas of focus you can pursue within the general degree. Pursuing a specialty is a great way to sharpen your skills in a specific area if you have a definitive career path in mind. These areas typically include, but are not limited to:
• Family & Child Studies/Sciences
• Nutrition & Dietetics
• Merchandising & Consumer Studies/Science
• Design Studies
• Clothing, Materials & Textile Culture/Studies
• Non-Profit Leadership
• Community Education
Average Salary Levels of Graduates
The salary you could earn with a Human Ecology degree varies based on a wide variety of factors, such as:
• The type, size, and budget of your employer
• Your level of education and experience
• Your level of certification (if applicable)
• The region in which you work
• How much overtime you are able to work (if applicable)
• The method in which you are paid (such as commission, salary, self-employment)
• The amount of responsibility involved in your position
• Your level of experience (it’s worth noting that people with several years worth of experience can often earn substantially in their profession more than what’s listed below)
The salary you could earn as a graduate of this field is also highly dependent on the occupation you pursue. Below is an overview of the average earnings of people in a few career fields that are relevant to a degree in human ecology (many careers will require additional education and training). However, it should be noted that the salary information listed below is meant only to serve as a guideline. In many cases, workers in these areas of occupation can earn a much lower, or much higher salary, than what is listed below.
Adult Education Instructor
Alberta: N/A
Canada: N/A
United States: $52,100 (BLS)
Art Director
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $77,947 (PayScale)
United States: ($92,500)
Art Gallery Curator
Alberta: $72,973 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: $47,360 (BLS)
Blogger
Alberta: N/A
Canada: N/A
United States: $36,580 (indeed)
Career Counselor
Alberta: $59,291 (ALIS)
Canada: $44,169 (PayScale)
United States: $55,410 (BLS)
Community Care Coordinator
Alberta: $67,175 (ALIS)
Canada: $57,940 (PayScale)
United States: $59,970 (BLS)
Community Planner
Alberta: $96,293 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: $71,490 (BLS)
Costume Designer
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $74,774 (PayScale)
United States: $50,545 (Glassdoor)
Credit Counselor
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $45,000 (PayScale)
United States: $49,460 (BLS)
Department Manager
Alberta: $37,117 (ALIS)
Canada: $46,540 (PayScale)
United States: $43,580 (BLS)
Diversity Consultant
Alberta: $68,758 (ALIS)
Canada: $70,578 (PayScale)
United States: $82,100 (BLS)
Elementary School Teacher
Alberta: $78,971 (ALIS)
Canada: $51,702 (PaySCale)
United States: $54,230 (BLS)
Ergonomist
Alberta: $81,207 (ALIS)
Canada: $63,982 (PayScale)
United States: $71,780 (BLS)
Event Planner
Alberta: $50,405 (ALIS)
Canada: $43,409 (PayScale)
United States: $48,290 (BLS)
Exhibit Designer
Alberta: N/A
Canada: N/A
United States: $59,590 (BLS)
Fabric Designer
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $39,526 (PayScale)
United States: $49,690 (BLS)
Facilitator
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $39,240 (PayScale)
United States: $38,400 (Glassdoor)
Fashion Buyer
(See “Retail Buyer”)
Fashion Designer
Alberta: N/A
Fashion Designer
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $50,128 (PayScale)
United States: $67,420 (BLS)
Fashion Merchandiser
(See “Visual Merchandiser”)
Florist
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $29,160 (PayScale)
United States: $26,350 (BLS)
Food Safety Auditor
Alberta: $80,949 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: $71,780 (BLS)
Funeral Director
Alberta: $59,100 (ALIS)
Canada: $46,979 (PayScale)
United States: $93,090 (BLS)
Furniture Designer
Alberta: $69,260 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: $65,970 (BLS)
Geriatric Care Manager
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $51,000 (PayScale)
United States: $98,350 (BLS)
Gerontologist
Alberta: $87,546 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: $39,819 - $123,053 - depending on specialty (indeed)
Human Ecologist
Alberta: $61,605 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: N/A
Industrial Designer
Alberta: $69,264 (ALIS)
Canada: $55,531 (indeed)
United States: $65,970 (BLS)
Interior Decorator
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $35,460 (PayScale)
United States: N/A
Interior Design Consultant
(See “Interior Designer”)
Interior Designer
Alberta: $60,599 (ALIS)
Canada: $51,937 (Interior Designers of Canada)
United States: $51,500 (BLS)
Magazine Designer
Alberta: $58,099 (ALIS)
Canada: $44,000 (PayScale)
United States: $48,700 (BLS)
Multiculturalism Liaison Officer
Alberta: $55,910 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: N/A
Nutrition Consultant
Alberta: $85,056 (ALIS)
Canada: $59,263 (PayScale)
United Sates: $59,410 (BLS)
Package Designer
Alberta: $58,099 (ALIS)
Canada: $50,184 (PayScale)
United States: $48,700 (BLS)
Professional Organizer
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $45,000 (PayScale)
United States: N/A
Public Health Inspector
Alberta: $80,949 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: $71,780 (BLS)
Public Relations Specialist
Alberta: $77,090 (ALIS)
Canada: $49,725 (PayScale)
United States: $59,300 (BLS)
Quality Control Specialist
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $55,114 (PayScale)
United States: $37,340 (BLS)
Recreation Therapist
Alberta: $71,060 (indeed)
Canada: $60,400 (indeed)
United States: $49,670 (BLS - mean salary)
Retail Buyer
Alberta: $45,891 (ALIS)
Canada: $56,066 (PayScale)
United States: $60,040 (BLS)
Safety Coordinator
Alberta: $80,949 (ALIS)
Canada: $53,357 (PayScale)
United States: $71,780 (BLS)
Sales Representative
Alberta: $62,683 (ALIS)
Canada: $61,624 (indeed)
United Sates: $60,340 (BLS)
Set Designer
Alberta: $62,683 (ALIS)
Canada: $61,624 (indeed)
United Sates: $60,340 (BLS)
Textiles Production Manager
Alberta: $94,698 (ALIS)
Canada: $83,494 (Glassdoor)
United States: $100,580 (BLS)
Toy Designer
Alberta: $69,264 (ALIS)
Canada: $49,193 (PayScale)
United States: $56,550 (BLS)
Urban Planner
Alberta: $96,293 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: $71,490 (BLS)
Visual Merchandiser
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $25,040 (Glassdoor)
United States: $42,729 (BLS)
Volunteer Coordinator
Alberta: $35,126 (ALIS)
Canada: $40,122 (PayScale)
United States: $34,940 (indeed)
Web Designer
Alberta: $67,808 (ALIS)
Canada: $45,899 (indeed)
United States: $67,540 (BLS)
Wedding Planner
Alberta: $50,405 (ALIS)
Canada: $43,409 (PayScale)
United States: $40,407 (PayScale)
The name in brackets next to the salary data for each region refers to the sources from which the data was obtained. Please note, that unless otherwise stated, the salary data that is sourced from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) represents median salary figures, rather than average or mean salary figures.
Please Note: The figures from the sources of BLS and ALIS are representative of the larger occupational group that the occupation is part of. For example, “Nutrition Consultants” are part of the larger occupational group “Nutritionists” for the purposes of the salary information provided.
Salary Data References
ALIS: Alberta Learning and Information Service (alis.alberta.ca), sponsored by the Government of Alberta. For an overview of their salary survey methodology, please visit here.
PayScale: Private organization owned by PayScale Incorporated (payscale.com). For an overview of their salary survey methodology, please visit here.
BLS: United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov), sponsored by the federal government of the United States of America. For details regarding their salary survey methodology, please visit here.
Glassdoor: Glassdoor is a private organization owned by Glassdoor incorporated (glassdoor.com). For an overview of their salary survey methodology, please visit here.
Interior Designers of Canada: Founded in 1972, Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) is the national advocacy association for the interior design profession. For an overview of their salary survey methodology, please visit here.
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Gaining Relevant Career Experience Before Graduation
Pursuing an internship (for our purposes also known as a practicum, field placement, or co-op work opportunity) in a career field related to your human ecology degree is the best way to gain relevant work experience while you’re still in school. These opportunities allow you to gain professional competencies, while simultaneously offering employers valuable temporary team members.
An internship position can also result in being hired by the sponsoring organization upon graduation. If you’ve done quality work and made a good impression, chances are that organization will want to retain you on a full-time basis once you’ve graduated. They will already be familiar with you and your work ethic, and they will save a great deal of time and expense trying to recruit someone else.
How Do I Find a Good Internship?
If these opportunities are an academic requirement, you will likely have the opportunity arranged for you, or at least a variety of potential options presented to you. If it is not a requirement, speak with your professors, other human ecology department staff as well as your school’s guidance and career counselors to help you find a suitable opportunity.
Please Note: Be extremely cautious if pursuing an opportunity that is not directly arranged or facilitated by your school. You may not receive proper school credit for your work, or financial compensation, as many of these opportunities operate in the grey area of the law, and seek to exploit students.
Human Ecology Scholarships
If you’re a human ecology major looking for help in paying for school, then you’re in luck! Our scholarships database has Canadian and American scholarships that are specific to human ecology, as well as scholarships that are open to any field of study.
Success Tip: Be sure to apply for any and all scholarships for which you qualify, as there are millions of dollars of scholarships in Canada and the United States that go unused every year due to a lack of applicants.
Professional Associations
To find out more about careers directly related to this field, consult the following professional association websites. They offer career-related information, and many have opportunities for student membership, as well as job placement and mentoring opportunities.
Canada
Canadian Art Museum Directors Association
Canadian Association of Credit Counselling Services
The Society of Graphic Designer of Canada
United States
AIGA - The Professional Association for Design
American Society for Nutrition
Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)
National Association for Museum Exhibition
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
International
International Textile and Apparel Association
