Formal Education Pays Off
Want to earn a living wage? You'll likely need more education than high school or GED. You may be looking at occupations that require more schooling.
As you weigh the pros and cons of going to school (pdf), think about how education pays. People with degrees tend to make more money and stay in their jobs.
| Unemployment Rate* | Education Level | Typical Weekly Earnings* |
| 14.6% | Less than High School | $454 |
| 9.7% | High School Graduate | $626 |
| 8.6% | Some College, No Degree | $699 |
| 6.8% | Associate Degree | $761 |
| 5.2% | Bachelor's Degree | $1,025 |
| 3.9% | Master's Degree | $1,257 |
| 2.5% | Professional Degree | $1,532 |
| 2.3% | Doctorate | $1,529 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009 unemployment and wage data.
- Unemployment rate is percentage of people who lost their jobs and applied for unemployment benefits. This rate is for those age 25 and over.
- Typical weekly earnings is the median wage. This means listing all of the wages from low to high and picking the middle one. The earnings are for year-round, full-time employed workers age 25 and older.
