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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.