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Employment Projections

Top skills by typical education needed for entry

Other available formats: (XLSX)

Table 6.4 Top skills by typical education needed for entry, 2024
Typical education needed for entry Median annual wage, dollars, 2024[1] Top highest skill Second highest skill Third highest skill

Total, all occupations

49,500 Adaptability Detail oriented Interpersonal

Doctoral or professional degree

126,510 Adaptability Writing and reading Problem solving and decision making

Master's degree

81,910 Adaptability Interpersonal Writing and reading

Bachelor's degree

92,260 Adaptability Writing and reading Problem solving and decision making

Associate's degree

63,280 Adaptability Detail oriented Interpersonal

Postsecondary nondegree award

48,980 Adaptability Detail oriented Interpersonal

Some college, no degree

45,230 Adaptability Interpersonal Writing and reading

High school diploma or equivalent

47,150 Adaptability Detail oriented Interpersonal

No formal educational credential

35,660 Adaptability Detail oriented Interpersonal

Footnotes:

[1] Data are from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wage data cover non-farm wage and salary workers and do not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, or household workers.

Note: Skills data for education categories are calculated using an employment-weighted average of the skills data for the detailed occupations within each education category.

Source: Employment Projections program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Last Modified Date: August 28, 2025