- According to a study by the United States Census Bureau, the average salary of a worker who lacks a high school education was $23,400 as of 1999. That figure applies to workers who worked full time throughout the entire year. The figure for workers who were employed part time or for only part of the year is even lower, at just $18,900.
- The Census Bureau found that workers with a high school diploma had an average annual salary of $30,400 if they worked the entire year full time. High school graduates who worked only part of the year, or at part-time jobs, averaged just $25,900.
- Workers with some college experience but no degree had average earnings of $36,800 if they worked full time and throughout the entire year. Workers with the same educational attainment but who worked part time or only part of the year earned less, at $31,200.
- The Census Bureau found that employees with an associate degree had average annual earnings of $38,200 for full-time year-round work. Workers at part-time or non-year-round work had average earnings of $33,000.
- Workers who have earned a bachelor's degree had average annual earnings of $52,200 for full-time year-round work. Workers who worked part time or only part of the year had average earnings of $45,400.
- If a worker obtains a master's degree, she can expect average annual earnings of $62,300 for full-time work. Those who work part time or only part of the year can expect to earn $54,500 annually.
- Those with a professional degree in addition to their college schooling had average annual earnings of $109,600. Those who worked only part of the year had average annual earnings of $99,300.
- Those who have earned a doctoral degree had average annual earnings of $89,400 for full-time year-round work. Doctoral degree holders who worked part time or only part of the year had average annual earnings of $81,400.
High School Dropouts
High School Graduates
Some College
Associate Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Professional Degree
Doctoral Degree
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