The U.S. Census Bureau has published new data on educational attainment among adults in the United States, using figures from the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement.
According to the latest release, in 2024, 42.8% of individuals aged 25 to 39 had obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher. Among those aged 40 to 54, this figure was 41.5%, while for adults age 55 and older it was 34.2%. The data also showed that among people age 25 and older, women were more likely than men to have earned at least a bachelor’s degree—40.1% compared with 37.1%.
Employment data revealed that nearly half (49.3%) of employed workers held a high school diploma or associate degree as their highest credential, while 44.5% had completed at least a bachelor’s degree; only 6.1% did not have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Among occupational groups, professional and related fields saw the highest proportion of workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher at 76.5%. Management, business, and financial occupations followed with 64.2%. Installation, maintenance, and repair roles had the largest share of employees whose highest education was a high school diploma or associate degree (78.3%).
Industry analysis indicated that transportation and utilities had the greatest percentage of workers holding either a high school diploma or associate degree (67.5%). Conversely, information industries led in employing workers with at least a bachelor’s degree (64.9%), closely followed by education and health services (61.2%).
The Current Population Survey is conducted jointly by the Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and serves as the primary source for labor force statistics in the United States.
“All comparative statements in this tip sheet have undergone statistical testing, and, unless otherwise noted, all are statistically significant at the 10 percent significance level,” according to documentation from the Census Bureau.
Further details on methodology can be found within technical documentation provided by these agencies.
