I once heard from a reliable source that Walmart prefers to hire greeters with degrees in Philosophy over lesser degrees like Art Appreciation, Modern Dance, Womyn's Studies, or Film.
Ha! Maybe it's because they think those other degrees are more useful, and philosophy graduates are less likely to later find work elsewhere? ;-)
To the contrary: Last time I looked, a bachelors degree in Philosophy was associated with a substantially higher mid career median income (81k) than, for example, a bachelors degree in information technology (75k) or business management (72k).
Of course, people with bachelors degrees in philosophy very rarely work as philosophers proper but many go on to become lawyers, administrators, public servants, and even physicians.
One could argue that this record of success in life is due to the smarter ones choosing philosophy to start with but I guess some credit has to be given to the subject itself.
In any case, you are more likely to find Walmart employees with philosophy degrees in the corporate office than at the store entrance.
http://www.philosophy.northwestern.edu/undergraduate/documents/WHY_Major_in_Philosophy_leaflet.pdf
The smarter ones choose philosophy? Really? From the data you presented, philosophy isn't very competitive salary wise (starting or mid career) with science and engineering. That is based on 2008 data. I suspect 2014 data is similar. And 1981 data (when I started college) was the same (I'm spying a trend here). Science and engineering, in general, were the best choices. It seems pretty consistent over the long term- if you want a job that pays well, get your BS in science or engineering. Or have a damned goof plan for how you are going to turn your nearly useless undergrad Philosophy degree into something lucrative when you grow up.
There is a catch to this, of course. Science and engineering majors, even at mediocre state schools, tend to be very challenging. No "easy A's."
I actually know of one guy who went into philosophy. He got a PhD in Philosopy of Science (it took him FOREVER to finish). He was an intelligent guy, but nowhere near the top of the heap. At age 51, he is currently teaching philosophy at a hyphenated-state U. I think he makes about a $1.25 over minimum wage (I kid, sort of). The best and brightest all went into engineering, science, and medicine.
Look, if you go into philosophy, or some other soft major, as an undergrad, and plan to use it as a springboard to an advanced degree in something more substantial (law, business, etc), that's great. But be aware that a BA in Philosophy, by itself, is likely to lead to a job in the fast paced world of "Want fries with that?"
And if you think I'm being harsh, you're right. I've seen far too many kids, even bright kids, go through 4-years of college getting lame liberal arts degrees (many of which are far more pathetic than philosphy), and finding themselves, for all practical purposes, unemployable after 4-6 years of high cost education.
I guess my point is, if you are graduating from HS, take some time to PLAN, don't just go to college and get a "feel good" degree, then sit there looking stunned when no one wants to hire you at age 22, with your $40,000 Modern Asian Dance Philosophy degree from from East Central Western State U-Cookeville.
Make your plan when you are in High School, not 3 weeks before graduation from good ol' ECWSU-C, after you have run up tens of thousands in debt and have no prospects other than working at the local Walmart.