Are there any statistics that show higher education doesn?t necessarily mean higher income?

[steppinthrax]

Just curious. Everywhere I look pretty much say the same thing no matter if it's a private org or gov stats.

 

[beer]

So rather than agree with the statistics that are widely available and accepted and statistically sound, you're going to find some corner case that tries to agree with you even though every legitimate study says otherwise?

 

[her209]

Bill Gates
Michael Dell

 

[43st]

Higher greed means higher income.. Education is just an enabler.

 

[newb111]

There are obviously examples of the exception, but it is still a rule.

 

[grohl]

no

 

[BrownTown]

There are actually some pretty good examples where getting higher degrees DOES lead to less income, but they are kind of misleading. One good example is people who get say a masters in say english or history are less likely to make as much money as people who get only a bachelors, but this is because the people with masters are more often off being teachers whereas the bachelors people might be going off and being lawyers. So its pretty misleading, but there are definitely many cases. As a whole I think that the majority of people who get a masters in a liberal art make less than bachelors, but probably if you get a PH.D you make it back up since you will be a professor at college which is pretty good income.

EDIT: in engineering your gonna be making more money for more degrees, but it really isn't that much more, so the extra time spent getting a degree verse your increased income is likely borderline not worth it, being even a low level manager is alot bigger jump than an extra degree for example.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: 43st
Higher greed means higher income.. Education is just an enabler.

Not true.

 

[spacejamz]

20 great jobs that don't require a degree

# Air traffic controller

Annual income: $102,030

# Storage and distribution manager

Annual income: $66,600

# Transportation manager

Annual income: $66,600

# Police and detectives supervisor

Annual income: $64,430

# Non-retail sales manager

Annual income: $59,300

# Forest fire fighting and prevention supervisor

Annual income: $58,920

# Municipal fire fighting and prevention supervisor

Annual income: $58,902

# Real estate broker

Annual income: $58,720

# Elevator installers and repairer

Annual income: $58,710

# Sales representative

Annual income: $58,580

# Dental hygienist

Annual income: $58,350

# Radiation therapist

Annual income: $57,700

# Nuclear medicine technologist

Annual income: $56,450

# Child support, missing persons and unemployment insurance fraud investigator

Annual income: $53,900

# Criminal investigators and special agent

Annual income: $53,990

# Immigration and Customs inspector

Annual income: $53,990

# Police detective

Annual Income: $53,990

# Police identification and records officer

Annual income: $53,990

# Commercial pilot

Annual income: $53,870

# Talent director

Annual income: $52,840

 

[Epic Fail]

Stat: Indians with BS degress earn less than US high school graduates.

Is this what you want?

 

[SSSnail]

# Commercial pilot

Annual income: $53,870 ??????????????

 

[BrownTown]

As for spacejamz's list, that is interesting to some degree, but on the flipside a 22 year old engineering graduate is making as much their first year out of college as the average (which would be like a 30 year old maybe?) person in all those professions except the top one, so really that proves the point that education is a HUGE influence since even the best non-degree jobs get beaten by a regular dude with a degree.

 

[FoBoT]

you are looking for exceptions or statistics

the truth is most people with more eduction make more money, you can't find 'statistics' to oppose that because it is the truth

 

[mattocs]

If you live in a bad area for jobs, then it seems to usually mean less income. Around here companies want experience, not education. I have worked with many people with all sorts of fancy degrees and they were making $10 an hour doing labor.

If you get an education, move to an area where you can use it.

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: BrownTown
As for spacejamz's list, that is interesting to some degree, but on the flipside a 22 year old engineering graduate is making as much their first year out of college as the average (which would be like a 30 year old maybe?) person in all those professions except the top one, so really that proves the point that education is a HUGE influence since even the best non-degree jobs get beaten by a regular dude with a degree.

His list is a bit misleading. A commercial pilot, for example, has a much easier time finding work with a major airline with a college degree. Also that occupation requires training that costs as much or more than a college degree. Many of those other jobs require technical degrees with oversaturated job markets. Try to be a fire fighting supervisor, or a special agent.

If anyone is surprised at the low wage for pilots, many times the pilots make about the same as the flight attendants. Comair starts new pilots out at $18/hour with 75 hours per month, for example. If you're a pilot making over $50,000 you're doing well for yourself.

 

[spidey07]

NO! The reason why is it just isn't true.

Over time higher education will bring in more overall income. You can't just look at starting salaries, you have to look at overall income over the course of ones career. They don't call it a ceiling for nothing.

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: BrownTown
As for spacejamz's list, that is interesting to some degree, but on the flipside a 22 year old engineering graduate is making as much their first year out of college as the average (which would be like a 30 year old maybe?) person in all those professions except the top one, so really that proves the point that education is a HUGE influence since even the best non-degree jobs get beaten by a regular dude with a degree.

Pipe dream.

Most engineers don't jump into 60k year jobs right out of school. Whoever told you that isn't living in the real world.

 

[BoomerD]

While I consistently made $80K or more as a crane operator, it's definitely not the job for everyone, nor is it always steady work. MOST heavy equipment operators make in the $40K range because of weather-related down time. Very few have more than a HS diploma, but a high percentage of union Operating Engineers have completed a union apprenticeship of 6000 to 8000 hours. That's more than equivalent to a BS degree in the amount of time invested.
Right now, construction is very slow, partly because it's winter, and partly because of the housing crunch, budget crises, and the impending recession. Companies aren't expanding at the rates they were, governments have cut back on capital projects, etc.
In "boom times", a good operator will get anywhere from $2 to $5 over union scale without having to ask. Many TOP operators easily get $10 over scale because their skills are in high demand. I don't remember the last job where I "only" worked for union scale.
All that being as it may, IMO, the more education you get, the greater the potential for higher earnings. It doesn't guarantee more money, but the potential is there...(depending on the majors of course.) Many jobs require more than a BA/BS degree to even get your foot in the door. It's difficult, if not impossible, to get past that barrier.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Pale Rider

Originally posted by: BrownTown
As for spacejamz's list, that is interesting to some degree, but on the flipside a 22 year old engineering graduate is making as much their first year out of college as the average (which would be like a 30 year old maybe?) person in all those professions except the top one, so really that proves the point that education is a HUGE influence since even the best non-degree jobs get beaten by a regular dude with a degree.

Pipe dream.

Most engineers don't jump into 60k year jobs right out of school. Whoever told you that isn't living in the real world.

Actually they do, but they hit a ceiling and are unable to move up because they are just engineers. They don't know how to do anything else. You gotta keep the supply of grunts up, so you give the grunts a "OMG! 60K!!! I'm RICH!" incentive.

Meanwhile the guy working on the line is making more and telling the grunt what is wrong with his stuff.

 

[BrownTown]

Originally posted by: Pale Rider

Originally posted by: BrownTown
As for spacejamz's list, that is interesting to some degree, but on the flipside a 22 year old engineering graduate is making as much their first year out of college as the average (which would be like a 30 year old maybe?) person in all those professions except the top one, so really that proves the point that education is a HUGE influence since even the best non-degree jobs get beaten by a regular dude with a degree.

Pipe dream.

Most engineers don't jump into 60k year jobs right out of school. Whoever told you that isn't living in the real world.

I did and my GPA is less than 3.0 at an engineering school not even in the top 30...

My brother goes to MIT, their median starting salary is more like $75,000

 

[mugs]

You say "doesn't necessarily." Of course that is the case, because any exception would validate that claim. And there are certainly exceptions. But for the most part, higher education = higher income.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Having a degree doesn't mean anything really. I've known plenty of unemployed graduate or multiple degree holders. However your options without a degree are less.

 

[BrownTown]

It is also worth pointing out that in terms of money looking at greater income is only telling half the story, you also have to remember that the degree person spent tens of thousands of collars and many years getting that degree. IF you add up the lost wages and the cost of school ALOT of degrees actually end up to be not economical. Certainly going to a $40,000 a year school to become a teacher is a huge waste of money, but even alot higher paying degrees are not worth it if you really look into it.

EDIT: for example if I go in and calculate the payment on a 30 year annuity for a $200,000 (say $35,000 a year for lost payment and $15,000 for tuition for 4 years of college) initial outlay at 8% interest over a 30 year working life you have to make $18,000 a year MORE just to be even. If you are going to a place with a $40,000 tuition that number goes to more like $25,000/year.

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: BrownTown

Originally posted by: Pale Rider

Originally posted by: BrownTown
As for spacejamz's list, that is interesting to some degree, but on the flipside a 22 year old engineering graduate is making as much their first year out of college as the average (which would be like a 30 year old maybe?) person in all those professions except the top one, so really that proves the point that education is a HUGE influence since even the best non-degree jobs get beaten by a regular dude with a degree.

Pipe dream.

Most engineers don't jump into 60k year jobs right out of school. Whoever told you that isn't living in the real world.

I did and my GPA is less than 3.0 at an engineering school not even in the top 30...

My brother goes to MIT, their median starting salary is more like $75,000

There are exceptions to everything. Your average engineer of most any field does not jump into a high paying job immediately (meaning their very first job) out of school. That's just the way it is.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: her209
Bill Gates
Michael Dell

This post is a fine example of someone that didn't have an higher education enough to read the question and/or understand that showing how someone without higher education and a higher income does not prove that with a higher education you wouldn't get a higher income.