Increase Your Earning Potential

Supersize your salary. Consider this: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a person with a bachelor's degree earns about $2.1 million over a lifetime, that is almost twice as much as someone with only a high school diploma. How much is your degree worth? Use the chart below to compare a person's estimated earning potential based on his or her level of education.

  • Professional Degree:
    $1,474 median weekly wage
    $109,600 in annual earnings
    1.1% unemployment rate.
  • Doctoral Degree:
    $1,441 median weekly wage
    $89,400 in annual earnings
    1.4% unemployment rate.
  • Master's Degree:
    $1,140 median weekly wage
    $62,300 in annual earnings
    1.7% unemployment rate.
  • Bachelor's Degree:
    $962 median weekly wage
    $52,200 in annual earnings
    2.3% unemployment rate.
  • Associate Degree:
    $721 median weekly wage
    $38,200 in annual earnings
    3.0% unemployment rate.
  • High School Graduate:
    $595 median weekly wage
    $30,400 in annual earnings
    4.3% unemployment rate.

Average Annual Earnings, Different Levels of Education.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Surveys, March 1998, 1999, and 2000.

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