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Employment Projections

Unemployment rates and earnings by educational attainment

 Table 5.1 Unemployment rates and earnings by educational attainment, 2018

Educational attainment

Unemployment rate (%)

Median usual weekly earnings ($)

Doctoral degree

1.6

1,825

Professional degree

1.5

1,884

Master's degree

2.1

1,434

Bachelor's degree

2.2

1,198

Associate's degree

2.8

862

Some college, no degree

3.7

802

High school diploma

4.1

730

Less than a high school diploma

5.6

553

Total

3.2

932

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

Data graphic

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: September 4, 2019