The U.S. Census Bureau has published new data on educational attainment in the United States for 2024, focusing on adults aged 18 and older. The data is derived from the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement, which is a key source of labor force statistics sponsored by both the Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to the findings, in 2024, 42.8% of people between ages 25 and 39 had at least a bachelor’s degree. For those aged 40 to 54, this figure was 41.5%, while among those aged 55 and older it was 34.2%. The report also shows that women were more likely than men to have completed higher education: “In 2024, 40.1% of women and 37.1% of men age 25 and older had a bachelor’s degree or higher.”
Employment data indicates that nearly half (49.3%) of workers held either a high school diploma or an associate degree as their highest level of educational attainment in 2024, while 44.5% held at least a bachelor’s degree. A smaller portion—6.1%—did not complete high school or its equivalent.
When looking at specific job categories, “In 2024, 76.5% of people who worked in professional and related occupations and 64.2% of people in management, business and financial occupations held a bachelor’s degree or higher.” Among installation, maintenance, and repair jobs, the highest percentage—78.3%—had either a high school diploma or an associate degree as their top credential.
Industries also varied in education levels among workers: transportation and utilities had the largest share (67.5%) with no more than a high school diploma or associate degree; information (64.9%) and education and health services (61.2%) led industries with the greatest share holding at least a bachelor’s degree.
The technical documentation for this survey provides details about confidentiality protection as well as information on methodology, sampling errors, nonsampling errors, and definitions.
All comparative statements cited have been statistically tested for significance at the ten percent level.
