Education & Earning Power

Want to know the best way to earn a lot of money?

Stay in school!

As this below chart shows, the more you learn ... the more you earn. If you get a 2-year Associate Degree, you can expect to make double what a 9th grade dropout will make. Get your 4-year Bachelor Degree, and you will make nearly three times more. And that is not just for one year, but for the rest of your life. Over a 30-year long career, the difference between what you will earn with a bachelors degree or dropping out in 9th grade can be more than $1 million.

Education Level
Average Income Male
Average Income Female
Less than 9th grade
$20,789
$15,978
Some high school but no diploma
$25,095
$17,919
High school diploma (includes GED)
$34,303
$24,970
Some college no degree
$40,337
$28,697
Associate degree (2-year)
$41,952
$31,071
Bachelor degree
$56,334
$40,415
Master's degree
$68,322
$50,139
Professional
$99,411
$58,957
Doctorate degree
$80,250
$57,081

National Center for Education Statistics, Outcomes of Education Report. Statistics are based on 2000 income data.

 

 

    


What to jobs in Virginia pay and what type of education or training to you need to get those jobs? Click here to learn more.