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Employment Projections

Education pays

Other available formats: (XLSX)

 Table 5.1 Unemployment rates and earnings by educational attainment, 2023

Educational attainment

Median usual weekly earnings ($)

Unemployment rate (%)

Doctoral degree

2,109

1.6

Professional degree

2,206

1.2

Master's degree

1,737

2.0

Bachelor's degree

1,493

2.2

Associate's degree

1,058

2.7

Some college, no degree

992

3.3

High school diploma

899

3.9

Less than a high school diploma

708

5.6

Total

1,170

3.0

Note: Data are for persons age 25 and over. Earnings are for full-time wage and salary workers.

Source: Current Population Survey, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

This table is also available as a chart.

These education categories reflect only the highest level of educational attainment. They do not take into account completion of training programs in the form of apprenticeships and other on-the-job training, which may also influence earnings and unemployment rates. For more information on training, see: https://www.bls.gov/emp/documentation/education-training-system.htm.

BLS has some data on the employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population 25 years and over by educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic origin online.

The Census Bureau also has some data on educational attainment online.

 

Last Modified Date: August 29, 2024