Career Pathways

Less than high School diploma

The “Less Than High School Diploma” career path includes entry-level jobs, often with on-the-job training. While wages may be lower initially, gaining experience, skills, or certifications can lead to career growth, promotions, or self-employment. Pursuing a GED or vocational training can also expand job opportunities.

Weekly: $ 708

Annual: $ 36,816

Unemployment: $5.6 %

Less than high School diploma

The “Less Than High School Diploma” career path includes entry-level jobs, often with on-the-job training. While wages may be lower initially, gaining experience, skills, or certifications can lead to career growth, promotions, or self-employment. Pursuing a GED or vocational training can also expand job opportunities.

Weekly: $ 708

Annual: $ 36,816

Unemployment: $5.6 %

Direct-to-Workforce Path

This path requires no education after high school, and involves working full-time right after high school. While many careers require additional training, entering the workforce immediately after high school can be the right choice for some.

Weekly: $ 899

Annual: $ 36,816

Unemployment: $5.6 %

Direct-to-Workforce Path

This path requires no education after high school, and involves working full-time right after high school. While many careers require additional training, entering the workforce immediately after high school can be the right choice for some.

Weekly: $ 899

Annual: $ 36,816

Unemployment: $5.6 %

Some College

The “Some College” path includes individuals who have completed a high school diploma (or equivalent) and taken postsecondary courses without earning a degree. This experience may come from community colleges, universities, or vocational programs, providing valuable skills and knowledge. While it offers flexibility and career exploration, advancement may be limited without a formal degree. However, certifications, job experience, and further education can enhance opportunities. Many employers value college coursework, making this path a stepping stone for career growth or future degree completion.

Weekly: $ 952

Annual: $ 51,584

Unemployment: $3.3 %

Some College

The “Some College” path includes individuals who have completed a high school diploma (or equivalent) and taken postsecondary courses without earning a degree. This experience may come from community colleges, universities, or vocational programs, providing valuable skills and knowledge. While it offers flexibility and career exploration, advancement may be limited without a formal degree. However, certifications, job experience, and further education can enhance opportunities. Many employers value college coursework, making this path a stepping stone for career growth or future degree completion.

Weekly: $ 952

Annual: $ 51,584

Unemployment: $3.3 %

Associate Degree

An associate degree is a two-year program typically offered at community colleges, providing an affordable, local option for career advancement or further education. Many programs allow transferable credits toward a bachelor's degree, saving time and money. Associate degrees also open doors to in-demand careers in fields like healthcare, IT, and business, offering higher earning potential than a high school diploma.

Weekly: $ 1058

Annual: $ 55,016

Unemployment: $2.7 %

Associate Degree

An associate degree is a two-year program typically offered at community colleges, providing an affordable, local option for career advancement or further education. Many programs allow transferable credits toward a bachelor's degree, saving time and money. Associate degrees also open doors to in-demand careers in fields like healthcare, IT, and business, offering higher earning potential than a high school diploma.

Weekly: $ 1058

Annual: $ 55,016

Unemployment: $2.7 %

Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years after high school or two years after an associate degree and is increasingly essential, as most new jobs require it. Offered at colleges and universities, it builds critical skills, expands career opportunities, and increases earning potential in fields like business, technology, and healthcare. It also provides networking and specialization opportunities, helping students prepare for long-term success.

Weekly: $ 1493

Annual: $ 77,636

Unemployment: $2.2 %

Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years after high school or two years after an associate degree and is increasingly essential, as most new jobs require it. Offered at colleges and universities, it builds critical skills, expands career opportunities, and increases earning potential in fields like business, technology, and healthcare. It also provides networking and specialization opportunities, helping students prepare for long-term success.

Weekly: $ 1493

Annual: $ 77,636

Unemployment: $2.2 %

Master’s Degree

A Master’s Degree is an advanced degree and typically takes 1-2 years after earning a bachelor’s degree. It provides specialized knowledge and advanced skills in fields such as business, education, science, healthcare, and technology. Many professionals pursue a master’s to increase earning potential, qualify for leadership roles, or transition into new career fields. Common master’s degrees include an MBA (Master of Business Administration) for business leadership, M.Ed. (Master of Education) for teaching and administration, and M.S./M.A. (Master of Science/Arts) for research-based or professional careers. Some industries require a master’s degree for career advancement, while in others, it enhances competitiveness in the job market.

Weekly: $ 1737

Annual: $ 90,324

Unemployment: $2.0 %

Master’s Degree

A Master’s Degree is an advanced degree and typically takes 1-2 years after earning a bachelor’s degree. It provides specialized knowledge and advanced skills in fields such as business, education, science, healthcare, and technology. Many professionals pursue a master’s to increase earning potential, qualify for leadership roles, or transition into new career fields. Common master’s degrees include an MBA (Master of Business Administration) for business leadership, M.Ed. (Master of Education) for teaching and administration, and M.S./M.A. (Master of Science/Arts) for research-based or professional careers. Some industries require a master’s degree for career advancement, while in others, it enhances competitiveness in the job market.

Weekly: $ 1737

Annual: $ 90,324

Unemployment: $2.0 %

Professional Degree

A Professional Degree is required for specific licensed careers, such as law, medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. These programs are highly specialized and prepare individuals for direct entry into regulated professions. Typically pursued after a bachelor’s degree, they can take 3–7 years, depending on the field. Examples include a J.D. (Juris Doctor) for lawyers, M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) for doctors, Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) for pharmacists, and D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) for dentists. These careers offer high salaries, job stability, and respected positions, but they also require rigorous coursework, licensing exams, and significant financial investment.

Weekly: $ 2206

Annual: $ 114,712

Unemployment: $1.2 %

Professional Degree

A Professional Degree is required for specific licensed careers, such as law, medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. These programs are highly specialized and prepare individuals for direct entry into regulated professions. Typically pursued after a bachelor’s degree, they can take 3–7 years, depending on the field. Examples include a J.D. (Juris Doctor) for lawyers, M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) for doctors, Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) for pharmacists, and D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) for dentists. These careers offer high salaries, job stability, and respected positions, but they also require rigorous coursework, licensing exams, and significant financial investment.

Weekly: $ 2206

Annual: $ 114,712

Unemployment: $1.2 %

Doctoral Degree or More

A Doctoral Degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., D.B.A.) or Professional Doctorate is the highest level of education, typically taking 3–8+ years. It leads to careers in academia, research, high-level industry roles, and specialized professions. A Ph.D. focuses on original research and teaching, preparing graduates for university faculty positions, innovation, and scientific discovery. Professional doctorates (e.g., M.D., J.D.) train individuals for expert practice in medicine, law, and executive leadership. This path is best for those pursuing research, top-tier industry roles, or specialized expertise in their field.

Weekly: $ 2109

Annual: $ 109,668

Unemployment: $1.6 %

Doctoral Degree or More

A Doctoral Degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., D.B.A.) or Professional Doctorate is the highest level of education, typically taking 3–8+ years. It leads to careers in academia, research, high-level industry roles, and specialized professions. A Ph.D. focuses on original research and teaching, preparing graduates for university faculty positions, innovation, and scientific discovery. Professional doctorates (e.g., M.D., J.D.) train individuals for expert practice in medicine, law, and executive leadership. This path is best for those pursuing research, top-tier industry roles, or specialized expertise in their field.

Weekly: $ 2109

Annual: $ 109,668

Unemployment: $1.6 %

The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), with ONET® being a registered trademark of USDOL/ETA. Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA; CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA) and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED); and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).