Those who leave high school without a diploma earn, on average, about $10.70 per hour. A certificate of high school completion kicks up the average to $13.40 per hour.
College education, even if it stops short of a full bachelor’s degree – say an associate degree or technical training – raises the average to $15.30 per hour, almost two dollars more. Get the bachelor’s degree and the average jumps to $21.50.
Graduate and professional degrees lead to average earnings of $29.70 per hour.
Not only does the amount of earnings rise significantly as the amount of education increases, but the chances of being without work clearly go down for the educated.
The unemployment rate consistently goes up as the level of education goes down.
In one state study, those with a bachelor’s degree or higher had only a 2.6 percent unemployment rate, while those who had left high school prematurely had a rate of 6.4 percent.
The obvious lesson is that if you want a job that offers financial security and some of life’s amenities, you begin planning early to finish high school and then get some additional training in a chosen field.
And there is nothing that says you have to stop your educational efforts if you are already working. If you are determined to better your financial status, there are opportunities to get additional training. Check the resources in your own area and chances are you’ll find what you need to help you advance. Most institutions of higher education offer counseling services that could be helpful. U.S. Department of Labor and state employment agencies also have helpful resources. Employers often encourage additional training and can steer a worker into educational opportunities.
Career changes are not uncommon in today’s job market and that most often means a new learning challenge. Being open to learning opportunities is the starting point. You’ll find the reward is more than worth the effort.