Best Jobs for History Buffs & Humanities Majors in Canada (2026 List)

The stereotype is tired and untrue: "So, you're studying History? I guess you're going to be a teacher or work at a coffee shop."

In 2026, this joke is not just rude—it's economically wrong.

We live in the "Information Economy." While STEM majors build the technology, they often lack the skills to explain it, regulate it, or sell it. Companies are drowning in data, but they are starving for Context.

This is where History and Humanities majors shine. You have spent four years reading thousands of pages, synthesizing complex arguments, and writing persuasive essays. These are transferable skills that top Canadian employers—from the Federal Government to Tech Startups—are desperate for.

If you love history but want a paycheck that pays the rent, here are the best career paths in Canada where your research skills pay off.

1. Grant Writer (The "Hidden" Goldmine)

• The Job: Non-profits, museums, and universities need money. To get it, they must write complex 50-page applications to the government or private foundations. You write the story of why they deserve the cash.
• Why it fits: It is pure research and persuasion—exactly like writing a thesis, but shorter. You need to dig up facts, construct a narrative, and meet a deadline.
• The Pay: $70,000 – $95,000 per year (Freelancers charge $100+/hr).
• Why it wins: It is often fully remote. If you value flexibility, this pairs perfectly with the opportunities in our Remote Jobs Without a Degree guide (since your portfolio matters more than a specific "Grant Writing" degree).

2. Policy Analyst (Government)

• The Job: Researching past laws and current data to recommend new rules for the government.
• Why it fits: History majors understand cause and effect. You understand that "Policy X" in 1950 led to "Result Y" in 1970. The government needs this long-term thinking to avoid making the same mistakes again.
• The Pay: $75,000 – $110,000 per year.
• Where to look: The Government of Canada (Federal) or provincial ministries in Toronto, Edmonton, and Victoria.
• Pro Tip: Being bilingual (French/English) is a massive asset here. If your French is rusty, check our Jobs for English Learners guide for tips on bilingual work environments.

3. Records Manager / Corporate Archivist

• The Job: It’s not just dusty library basements anymore. Big banks and law firms generate petabytes of data. They need professionals to organize, tag, and decide what to keep (for legal reasons) and what to delete.
• Why it fits: It satisfies the "categorization" itch that many history buffs have. It is organizing history in real-time.
• The Pay: $65,000 – $85,000 per year.
• The Pivot: If you have a Master’s in History, you are overqualified for "Data Entry" but perfectly qualified for "Information Governance."

4. Content Marketer / Copywriter

• The Job: Brands need to tell stories. A tech company selling a new app needs a blog post explaining why it matters.
• Why it fits: You are a trained storyteller. You know how to hook a reader. STEM grads often write dry, boring technical manuals. You write content people actually want to read.
• The Pay: $55,000 – $85,000 per year.
• The Portfolio: Unlike academic writing, marketing writing must be punchy. See our Creative Jobs Guide for tips on how to build a portfolio that gets you hired.

5. Intelligence Analyst (CSIS / RCMP)

• The Job: Reading reports from around the world, connecting the dots, and predicting threats to national security.
• Why it fits: Intelligence is just "History happening now." You need to understand the cultural and historical context of a region (e.g., Eastern Europe or the Middle East) to understand the conflict.
• The Pay: $80,000 – $105,000 per year.
• The Catch: The background check is intense. You cannot have a criminal record.
• Related: If you are interested in security but want a faster entry point, consider Nuclear Security Jobs which also pay well but are easier to get into.

6. Heritage Consultant (Construction)

• The Job: Before a developer builds a condo in a historic city (like Quebec City or Toronto), they must assess the site for historical significance.
• Why it fits: You research old maps and land deeds to tell the construction company: "You can't dig here, there's an 1800s foundation."
• The Pay: $60,000 – $80,000 per year.
• The Lifestyle: You get to be on-site, sometimes wearing a hard hat, looking at actual history in the dirt. It appeals to those who like the outdoors, similar to the roles in our Best Outdoor Jobs list.

7. Legal Assistant / Paralegal

• The Job: Reading case law and summarizing it for lawyers.
• Why it fits: Canadian law is built on "Precedent" (History). A lawyer argues: "We should win because of this case from 1920." History majors are experts at digging through archives to find that one specific fact.
• The Pay: $50,000 – $75,000 per year.
• The Education: You usually need a 1-year college certificate to become a "Law Clerk," but your BA in History gets you to the front of the line.

Comparison Table: "Passion" vs. "Paycheck"

Practical Questions Answered

"Is a History degree useless?"

Only if you refuse to pivot.

• The Reality: If you only apply to Museum jobs, yes, it feels useless because there are 500 applicants for every 1 job.
• The Fix: Stop searching for "Historian" on Indeed. Search for "Research Analyst," "Communications Officer," or "Proposal Writer." The skills are the same; the paycheck is double.

"Do I need a Master's degree?"

For Archives/Policy: Often Yes.

• The Nuance: To be a "Policy Analyst" for the Federal Government, a Master's (MA) is now the standard entry ticket. However, for Grant Writing or Content Marketing, nobody cares about your MA—they care about your portfolio.

"What technical skills should I add?"

Excel and CMS.

• The Gap: Humanities grads are great at words, bad at spreadsheets. If you take a weekend course on Excel (Pivot Tables) or WordPress (CMS), you instantly become 10x more hireable than your classmates who fear technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work in Tech with a History degree?

Yes.

Tech companies need "UX Researchers" (User Experience). They interview people to find out why they use an app. It is basically "Oral History" applied to software. It pays $90k+.

Is Law School the only option?

No.

Law school is expensive ($100k debt) and stressful. Being a Paralegal or Policy Analyst allows you to work in the legal field without the crushing debt of a JD degree.

What is "Public History"?

It is the business of presenting history to the public (Museums, Parks, Documentaries). It is a valid career, but it pays significantly less than the corporate/government paths listed above. If you love it, do it, but be prepared for a tighter budget.

About the author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian career researcher and digital entrepreneur. He tracks real-time labour market data, government hiring trends, and entry-level opportunities to help newcomers and students navigate the Canadian job market.

Sources

• Canadian Historical Association (Careers): https://cha-shc.ca/
• Grant Professionals of Canada: https://grantprofessionals.org/
• Government of Canada (Policy Jobs): https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs.html

Note:

Job availability, wages, and hiring conditions can vary widely by province, employer, season, and experience level. All salary ranges and job examples in this guide are estimates based on current labour market data. Always confirm details directly with the employer before applying.