Education Pays

Want to earn more money? You might need more education than a GED. Many higher-paying jobs require more schooling.

As you weigh the pros and cons of going to school, think about how education pays. People with college degrees or formal job training often make more money than those without a degree. They are also more likely to keep their jobs or quickly find a new one.

Unemployment Rate	Education Level	Typical Weekly Earnings*
5.4%	Didn't Finish High School	$592
3.7%	GED/High School Graduate	$746
3.3%	Some College, No Degree	$833
2.7%	Associate Degree	$887
2.2%	Bachelor's Degree	$1,248
2.0%	Master's Degree	$1,497

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019 Unemployment rates and earnings by educational attainment.

* Typical weekly earnings shown are the median wage. The median is the middle wage when listing all of the wages from low to high. The earnings are for year-round, full-time employed workers age 25 and older.