Occupational Profile

Linguist

Linguists study human language and speech, and carry out scientific research on the structure, development and use of human languages.

Avg. Salary $90,364.00
Avg. Wage $46.67
Minimum Education 4 years post-secondary
Outlook N/A
In Demand Lower

Also Known As

Language Specialist, Research Scientist, Social Scientist

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years

N/A

Average Wage

Starting

Overall

Top

Certification Not Regulated
Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

NOC & Interest Codes

The Linguist is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Linguists NOC 4169.5

Linguists

NOC code: 4169.5

INNOVATIVE: Interest in co-ordinating information to reconstruct and decipher ancient languages and to investigate computer applications in language studies and communications
DIRECTIVE: Interest in consulting with other linguists and related professionals concerning research activities; and to advise government on language programs
METHODICAL: 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

Reading Interest Codes

A Quick Guide

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.

Learn More

Duties

Updated Jan 31, 2017

Linguists study language by analyzing:

word meaning and the meaning of phrases and sentences
the structure of phrases and sentences
sound systems and their structure
properties shared by human languages
ways in which languages differ
language development, use and change
speech errors
discourse structure
the form and function of language.

Linguists may apply their knowledge in a wide variety of areas including:

language disorders and the acquisition of language in children
the function and role of language in various cultures
the ways in which languages change over time and the ways in which this helps us understand our human history
software and database development (natural language interfaces, document retrieval and information extraction from written text, machine translation)
identifying speakers or writers for forensic purposes
teaching language instructors and developing related guidelines, technical methodologies and instructional materials
language and brain function
development of language material for First Nations people
language, translation and word processing
development of software for grammar checking
dictionary development.

Working Conditions

Updated Jan 31, 2017

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.

Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Skills & Abilities

Updated Jan 31, 2017

Linguists need to possess:

an interest in languages
above-average academic skills
good argumentation and analysis skills
the ability to concentrate for long periods of time on precise, detailed work.

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.

Educational Requirements

Updated Jan 31, 2017

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.

Required Education

The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.

University of Alberta

Bachelor of Arts - Linguistics

University of Calgary

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

University of Alberta

University of Calgary

Master of Arts - Linguistics

For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.

Employment & Advancement

Updated Jan 31, 2017

Linguists may be employed by:

the federal government
private or public schools
overseas organizations in the field of educational development and literacy programs
telecommunication agencies such as telephone companies
commercial organizations such as software development companies.

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:

trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
location in Alberta
employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions)
size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary

Updated Jan 31, 2017

Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c. NOC 4169

Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c.

NOC code: 4169

Survey Methodology

Survey Analysis

Overall Wage Details

Average Wage

Average Salary

Hours Per Week

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees

Low
High
Average
Median

Starting

Overall

Top

Wages*	Low (5th percentile)	High (95th percentile)	Average	Median
Starting	$0.00	$0.00	$33.95	$36.66
Overall	$0.00	$0.00	$46.67	$45.45
Top	$0.00	$0.00	$56.10	$51.47

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.

D: Lowest Reliability

Data Reliability Code Definition

Lowest Reliability, represents a CV of more than 33.00% and/or if fewer than 10 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 25% of all estimated employment for the occupation.

Industry Information

Public Administration

ALBERTA, ALL INDUSTRIES

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years

N/A

Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties

N/A

Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months

N/A

2015 Vacancy Rate

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Related High School Subjects

English Language Arts
Languages (other than English)
Business, Administration, Finance and IT
- Management and Marketing
Health, Recreation and Human Services
- Human and Social Services