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Language Specialist, Research Scientist, Social Scientist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $34.37 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $43.03 |
| Top | $48.62 |
Interest in co-ordinating information to reconstruct and decipher ancient languages and to investigate computer applications in language studies and communications
Interest in consulting with other linguists and related professionals concerning research activities; and to advise government on language programs
Interest in identifying and classifying ancient and modern languages according to their families and origins, and in recording previously written languages in standardized written form
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Linguists study language by analyzing:
Linguists may apply their knowledge in a wide variety of areas including:
Linguists often work standard hours in an office environment but some field work may be required for data collection. Teachers and researchers may work long hours.
For more information about linguists who work in a post-secondary environment, see the University Professor occupational profile.
Linguists need to possess:
Linguists should be open to and accepting of diverse cultural patterns, especially as these apply to language behaviour. They should value all languages, even those spoken by few people, as equally valid means of communication. Linguists should enjoy exploring things in depth, using research to find solutions to problems, making decisions, co-ordinating the work of others and taking a methodical approach to their work.
The minimum educational requirement in this field is a 4-year bachelor of arts (BA) degree with a specialization in linguistics. Additional graduate work is usually required. A BA provides the foundation for this graduate work in linguistics or the psychology of language, and for post-graduate training in translation, language teaching and speech pathology or language pathology. A working knowledge of more than 1 language is required for advanced work in linguistics. Graduate degrees are required for speech pathology and for teaching and research positions in universities and colleges.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Linguists may be employed by:
Advancement generally takes the form of being assigned more complex projects. Opportunities to advance to supervisory or management positions are limited.
Linguists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 4169: Other Professional Occupations in Social Science. In Alberta, 79% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook (PDF) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Linguists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 4169: Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $25.00 | $41.44 | $34.37 | $34.03 |
| Overall | $30.84 | $55.02 | $43.03 | $41.18 |
| Top | $34.52 | $64.72 | $48.62 | $44.88 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $95,297 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $77,751 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $69,686 |
Canadian Association of Applied Linguistics website: www.aclacaal.org
Canadian Linguistic Association website: cla-acl.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Jan 31, 2017. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.