What Can You Do With a Conflict Resolution Degree? Jobs

Key takeaway: Conflict resolution (CIP 30.0501, Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution) is the mediation, negotiation, and dispute-systems degree. Arizona State University sells a master's. It is used in courts, HR, community agencies, and international NGOs. It is not a JD, not a counseling license, and not [legal studies](/programs/legal-studies). It does not license you as a counselor, social worker, or lawyer. Court mediation rosters have their own hour and observation requirements that a master's may or may not satisfy. Read your state's court rules before you enroll for that purpose.

Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators is a small occupation (BLS). Most graduates do this work as a function inside another job: HR specialist, social worker, compliance officer, or attorney. The degree is a skill stack, not a protected title.

Jobs you can get with a conflict resolution degree

OccupationMedian annual wage
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators$75,530
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$64,330
Compliance Officers$80,730
Social and Community Service Managers$80,390
Bar chart of conflict resolution careers with the most average annual job openings 2025 to 2035 (BLS Employment Projections): Human Resources Specialists 73,700 per year; Paralegals and Legal Assistants 40,800 per year; Child, Family, and School Social Workers 33,900 per year; Compliance Officers 32,700 per year; Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors 27,800 per year; Social and Community Service Managers 18,500 per year; Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other 2,700 per year; Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators 300 per year
Average annual job openings (2025-2035) for conflict resolution careers. Source: BLS Employment Projections. Chart: Best Online College.
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Conflict Resolution careers with the most openings. Source: BLS Employment Projections (2025-2035)
OccupationAvg. annual openings
Human Resources Specialists73,700/yr
Paralegals and Legal Assistants40,800/yr
Child, Family, and School Social Workers33,900/yr
Compliance Officers32,700/yr
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors27,800/yr
Social and Community Service Managers18,500/yr
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other2,700/yr
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators300/yr
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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS national medians. Median means half of workers in the occupation earned more and half earned less.

Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators. The national median annual wage was $75,530, with the 10th percentile at $47,220 and the 90th at $155,440 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS). Employment was 10,500 in 2025, projected to grow 4.7 percent through 2035, with 300 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2025-2035). See how to become a mediator. Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors. The national median annual wage was $64,330, with the 10th percentile at $45,020 and the 90th at $104,770 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS). Employment was 389,500 in 2025, projected to grow 2.9 percent through 2035, with 27,800 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2025-2035). Compliance Officers. The national median annual wage was $80,730, with the 10th percentile at $48,220 and the 90th at $133,720 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS). Employment was 436,400 in 2025, projected to grow 3.8 percent through 2035, with 32,700 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2025-2035). Social and Community Service Managers. The national median annual wage was $80,390, with the 10th percentile at $53,150 and the 90th at $132,260 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS). Employment was 231,000 in 2025, projected to grow 7.2 percent through 2035, with 18,500 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2025-2035).

The jobs this degree does not get you

It does not license you as a counselor, social worker, or lawyer. Court mediation rosters have their own hour and observation requirements that a master’s may or may not satisfy. Read your state’s court rules before you enroll for that purpose.

What the degree level changes

The online bachelor’s in conflict resolution is the entry credential in this CIP. The online master’s in conflict resolution is the advancement or specialization credential. Compare legal studies, human resources, counseling before you enroll if those titles match the job you actually want.

Common questions

What jobs can you get with a conflict resolution degree?

Common occupations include arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators, educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors, compliance officers, social and community service managers.

How much do conflict resolution majors make?

Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS national medians include $75,530 for arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators, $64,330 for educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors, $80,730 for compliance officers, $80,390 for social and community service managers. Individual outcomes vary.

Data verified: October 27, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-2035) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.