U.S. citizens with a professional degree had the highest median household income in 2023, at 172,100 U.S. dollars. In comparison, those with less than a 9th grade education made significantly less money, at 35,690 U.S. dollars. Household income The median household income in the United States has fluctuated since 1990, but rose to around 70,000 U.S. dollars in 2021. Maryland had the highest median household income in the United States in 2021. Maryland’s high levels of wealth is due to several reasons, and includes the state's proximity to the nation's capital. Household income and ethnicity The median income of white non-Hispanic households in the United States had been on the rise since 1990, but declining since 2019. While income has also been on the rise, the median income of Hispanic households was much lower than those of white, non-Hispanic private households. However, the median income of Black households is even lower than Hispanic households. Income inequality is a problem without an easy solution in the United States, especially since ethnicity is a contributing factor. Systemic racism contributes to the non-White population suffering from income inequality, which causes the opportunity for growth to stagnate.

In 2023, the mean income of women with a doctorate degree in the United States stood at 139,100 U.S. dollars. For men with the same degree, mean earnings stood at 175,500 U.S. dollars. On average in 2023, American men earned 91,590 U.S. dollars, while American women earned 65,987 U.S. dollars.

The age groups available in the dataset are: 15+, 25+, 25-34, 25-54 and 25-64.

Type of work includes full-time and part-time.

The educational levels include: 0-8 yrs., some high school, high school graduate, some post-secondary, post-secondary certificate diploma and university degree.

Wages include average weekly wage rate.

The immigration statuses include: total landed immigrants (very recent immigrants, recent immigrants, established immigrants), non-landed immigrants and born in Canada.

In 2023 the mean earnings of Bachelor's degree holders in the United States amounted to 86,970 U.S. dollars. People with higher education degrees tended to earn more than those without. For example, high school graduates, including those with a GED, had mean earnings of 46,720 U.S. dollars.

Average earnings, by age group and highest level of education, from the 2016 Census of Population.

See notice below about this dataset

This dataset provides the average earnings by student group per district.  Wage records are obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) using a secure, anonymized matching process with limitations. For details on the process and suppression rules, please visit the Employment and Earnings of High School Graduates dashboard.

This dataset is one of three containing the same data that is also published in the Employment and Earnings of High School Graduates dashboard: Average Earnings by Student Group Average Earnings by Industry College and Career Outcomes

2025 Update on DESE Data on Employment and Earnings 

The data link between high school graduates and future earnings makes it possible to follow students beyond high school and college into the workforce, enabling long-term evaluation of educational programs using workforce outcomes.

While DESE has published these data in the past, as of June 2025 we are temporarily pausing updates due to an issue conducting the link that was brought to our attention in 2023 by a team of researchers. The issue impacts the earnings information for students who never attended a postsecondary institution or who only attended private or out-of-state colleges or universities, beginning with the 2017 high school graduation cohort, with growing impact in each successive high school graduation cohort.

The issue does not impact the earnings information for students who attended a Massachusetts public institution of higher education, and earnings data for those students will continue to be updated.

Once a solution is found, the past cohorts of data with low match rates will be updated. DESE and partner agencies are exploring linking strategies to maximize the utility of the information.

More detailed information can be found in the attached memo provided by the research team from the Annenberg Institute. We thank them for calling this issue to our attention.

In the United States, women holding a bachelor's degree earned, on average, 1,352 U.S. dollars per week in the second quarter of 2024. This can be compared with male bachelor's degree holders who on average earn 1,757 U.S dollars.

In 2023, the mean income of Black Bachelor's degree holders was ****** U.S. dollars, compared to ****** U.S. dollars for White Americans with a Bachelor's degree.

Employment income (in 2019 and 2020) by highest certificate, diploma or degree, for census divisions and municipalities.

See notice below about this dataset

This dataset provides the average annual earnings by industry per district.

Wage records are obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) using a secure, anonymized matching process with limitations. For details on the process and suppression rules, please visit the Employment and Earnings of High School Graduates dashboard.

This dataset is one of three containing the same data that is also published in the Employment and Earnings of High School Graduates dashboard: Average Earnings by Student Group Average Earnings by Industry College and Career Outcomes

List of Industries

• 00 - All Students
• 11 - Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
• 21 - Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
• 22 - Utilities
• 23 - Construction
• 31 - Manufacturing
• 42 - Wholesale Trade
• 44 - Retail Trade
• 48 - Transportation and Warehousing
• 51 - Information
• 52 - Finance and Insurance
• 53 - Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
• 54 - Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• 55 - Management of Companies and Enterprises
• 56 - Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
• 61 - Educational Services
• 62 - Health Care and Social Assistance
• 71 - Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
• 72 - Accommodation and Food Services
• 81 - Other Services (except Public Administration)
• 92 - Public Administration
• 0 - No Industry Reported

The data link between high school graduates and future earnings makes it possible to follow students beyond high school and college into the workforce, enabling long-term evaluation of educational programs using workforce outcomes.

While DESE has published these data in the past, as of June 2025 we are temporarily pausing updates due to an issue conducting the link that was brought to our attention in 2023 by a team of researchers. The issue impacts the earnings information for students who never attended a postsecondary institution or who only attended private or out-of-state colleges or universities, beginning with the 2017 high school graduation cohort, with growing impact in each successive high school graduation cohort.

The issue does not impact the earnings information for students who attended a Massachusetts public institution of higher education, and earnings data for those students will continue to be updated.

Once a solution is found, the past cohorts of data with low match rates will be updated. DESE and partner agencies are exploring linking strategies to maximize the utility of the information.

More detailed information can be found in the attached memo provided by the research team from the Annenberg Institute. We thank them for calling this issue to our attention.

Explore the progression of average salaries for graduates in Bachelor Degree In Computer Technology (Equiv. Based On Education & Experience Combination) from 2020 to 2023 through this detailed chart. It compares these figures against the national average for all graduates, offering a comprehensive look at the earning potential of Bachelor Degree In Computer Technology (Equiv. Based On Education & Experience Combination) relative to other fields. This data is essential for students assessing the return on investment of their education in Bachelor Degree In Computer Technology (Equiv. Based On Education & Experience Combination), providing a clear picture of financial prospects post-graduation.

Kenya Average Wage Earnings: PR: Education data was reported at 931,440.000 KES in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 896,491.700 KES for 2016. Kenya Average Wage Earnings: PR: Education data is updated yearly, averaging 757,345.600 KES from Jun 2008 (Median) to 2017, with 10 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 931,440.000 KES in 2017 and a record low of 620,621.700 KES in 2008. Kenya Average Wage Earnings: PR: Education data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.G010: Average Wage Earnings: by Sector and Industry: International Standard of Industrial Classification Rev 4.

Characteristics and median employment income of postsecondary graduates five years after graduation, by educational qualification (Classification of programs and credentials - professional degree variant), field of study (Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Canada 2016 - STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics and computer sciences) and BHASE (business, humanities, health, arts, social science and education) groupings), gender, age group and status of student in Canada (cross-sectional analysis).

Explore the progression of average salaries for graduates in Education Based On Evaluation Of Education And Experience from 2020 to 2023 through this detailed chart. It compares these figures against the national average for all graduates, offering a comprehensive look at the earning potential of Education Based On Evaluation Of Education And Experience relative to other fields. This data is essential for students assessing the return on investment of their education in Education Based On Evaluation Of Education And Experience, providing a clear picture of financial prospects post-graduation.

Explore the progression of average salaries for graduates in Business Administration Based On Education Equiv. Eval from 2020 to 2023 through this detailed chart. It compares these figures against the national average for all graduates, offering a comprehensive look at the earning potential of Business Administration Based On Education Equiv. Eval relative to other fields. This data is essential for students assessing the return on investment of their education in Business Administration Based On Education Equiv. Eval, providing a clear picture of financial prospects post-graduation.

Explore the progression of average salaries for graduates in Bachelor In Computer Information Systems (U.S. Equiv. Based On Education & Experience Combination) from 2020 to 2023 through this detailed chart. It compares these figures against the national average for all graduates, offering a comprehensive look at the earning potential of Bachelor In Computer Information Systems (U.S. Equiv. Based On Education & Experience Combination) relative to other fields. This data is essential for students assessing the return on investment of their education in Bachelor In Computer Information Systems (U.S. Equiv. Based On Education & Experience Combination), providing a clear picture of financial prospects post-graduation.

Explore the progression of average salaries for graduates in Bachelor In Computer Technology (U.S. Equiv. Based On Education & Experience Combination) from 2020 to 2023 through this detailed chart. It compares these figures against the national average for all graduates, offering a comprehensive look at the earning potential of Bachelor In Computer Technology (U.S. Equiv. Based On Education & Experience Combination) relative to other fields. This data is essential for students assessing the return on investment of their education in Bachelor In Computer Technology (U.S. Equiv. Based On Education & Experience Combination), providing a clear picture of financial prospects post-graduation.

United States Avg Weekly Earnings: sa: Education & Health Services (EH) data was reported at 892.650 USD in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 885.670 USD for May 2018. United States Avg Weekly Earnings: sa: Education & Health Services (EH) data is updated monthly, averaging 785.180 USD from Mar 2006 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 148 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 892.650 USD in Jun 2018 and a record low of 652.650 USD in Mar 2006. United States Avg Weekly Earnings: sa: Education & Health Services (EH) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G033: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Average Weekly and Hourly Earnings: Seasonally Adjusted.

On average, the gross monthly income in Belgium varied between 2,800 and 5,800 euros in 2021. The amount earned depended on the level of education. Indeed, the higher the education, the higher the average salary. However, only a small share of Belgians thought their salaries were in line with their qualifications.

The Belgian dream?

From the country’s perspective, the average salary was also dependent on the region of Belgium they worked in. On a European level, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg (together known as the Benelux region) were all in the ten European Union countries with the highest annual salary in 2020. Luxembourg was, in fact, the country with the second highest average salary. Meanwhile, the Netherlands and Belgium held the fourth and seventh positions. However, these figures reflect only average amounts and do not provide information on the distribution of different wages.

Further income disparities…

In addition to these differences, in 2019, Belgians also faced different levels of income depending on their gender. Despite gender equality being one of the fundamental principles of the European Union law, the average pay in Belgium was higher in the male population than in the female population. All in all, education indeed correlated to the level of wages, but then so were other variables.

China Average Wage: Education data was reported at 64,693.000 RMB in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 58,516.000 RMB for 2016. China Average Wage: Education data is updated yearly, averaging 54,076.000 RMB from Dec 2013 (Median) to 2017, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 64,693.000 RMB in 2017 and a record low of 47,920.000 RMB in 2013. China Average Wage: Education data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GC: Average Wage: by Industry.