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Labor force participation rates are higher for people with professional certifications or licenses
August 14, 2019
Labor force participation rates are substantially higher for people who have a professional certification or occupational license than for those without such credentials. In 2018, the rate was 87.7 percent for workers who had such credentials, compared with 57.8 percent for those without them. In addition, people with certifications or licenses had higher participation rates at all education levels.
Labor force participation rates of people 25 years and older, by professional certification and licensing status and educational attainment, 2018
Education level
With a certification or license
Without a certification or license
Less than a high school diploma
84.8%
44.4%
High school graduates, no college
88.4
54.3
Some college, no degree
86.7
58.7
Associate degree
88.3
62.8
Bachelor’s degree only
88.5
68.8
Advanced degree
87.3
65.3
For example, among workers with a certification or license in 2018, labor force participation rates ranged from 84.8 percent for those with less than a high school diploma to 88.5 percent for those with a bachelor’s degree (and no further education). By contrast, the rates for people without a certification or license ranged from 44.4 percent for those with less than a high school diploma to 68.8 percent for those with a bachelor’s degree only.
United States Department of Labor
