Your Future Matters: The Average Salaries by Education Level

The decision to pursue an education beyond high school is not an easy one to make. There are a lot of factors to consider like costs, timelines, personal situations, career paths, the type of education or degree you want, and a whole lot more.

And making these decisions can sometimes feel overwhelming. But today, School Match Pro will show you why having at least some education beyond high school could really pay off.

And we’ll show you how we can help ease some of the stresses when it comes to deciding on your education.

Now, you probably know there are a lot of job options out there. And in today’s economy even people who only have a high school diploma can potentially find a decent paying job if they have certain skills.

But you also probably know that people who have gotten credentials beyond high school, whether that be a certificate, license, college diploma or have attended trade school or career college, often get paid much better.

So, with that said, let’s have a look at the average salaries by education level (up to a bachelor’s degree), and we’ll look at the salaries of some trades too.

Ready?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)[1], for people who haven’t graduated high school, their median annual wage is about $34,430.

Now, for those of us who have graduated high school, but have no education beyond it, the median salary is about $45,040.

Clearly, having a high school diploma is better than not having one.

But here’s where the BLS data gets interesting. People with an associate degree earn a median wage of $62,270 a year…

While bachelor’s degree holders earn a median salary of $85,800 a year!

So, compared to people who only have a high school diploma, bachelor’s degree holders earn nearly double the amount of money. That could be potentially life changing, right?

Of course, college isn’t for everyone, and there are plenty of options in higher education… options like career school and the trades!

As you’re about to see, some skilled tradespeople can earn even more money than some bachelor’s degree holders. So, if going to trade school instead of college is more up your alley, you’ll want to see this:

Elevator mechanics make about $99k a year, and construction managers earn a median wage of $100k a year. Electrical linemen make about $74k a year, while aircraft technicians make $64k a year.[2]

In fact, there are a whole lot of trades that could pay a really good salary, and you could potentially earn that salary without having to spend four years attending a traditional college.

So, perhaps career or trade school is the right route for you, or maybe it is college.

Either way, by continuing your education beyond a high school diploma, you’re really opening your options when it comes to careers, and salary potential.

Now, how can School Match Pro help you find a college, trade school, nursing program, career school or certificate program?

It’s easy. We’ve removed a lot of the stress when it comes to helping you decide on your educational future. A lot of it!

All you have to do is go to our homepage and click on “Begin Your Search Now”, and you’ll see what we mean.

Here’s to your future!

[1] Employment, wages, and projected change in employment by typical entry-level education : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)

[2] 24 Highest-paying Trade Jobs | Intuit Credit Karma