Study Links Wages and Education in Northeast Indiana
By Alex Brown | Inside INdiana Business
A report issued by Northeast Indiana Works says residents in the region with a high school degree or an equivalent stand to learn at least $530,000 more during their career than those without a degree. The report also says those with a degree are more likely to be employed than those who did not complete high school.
Northeast Indiana Works says the report, which is based on Economic Modeling Specialists International data, uses current median annual wages and projects them over a span of 40 years. The report says the more education a person receives after high school, the more that person stands to earn.
The breakdown of income based on degrees earned includes:
- No high school degree, $895,240
- High school degree or the equivalent, $1,427,720
- Associate’s Degree, $1,854,520
- Bachelor’s Degree, $2,387,840
- Master’s Degree, $2,416,120
- Doctorate Degree, $3,923,720
"While it is true it is unlikely a person will be at the median wage level throughout their career, the analysis clearly demonstrates the importance of postsecondary educational achievement," said Edmond O’Neal, president of Northeast Indiana Works.
The report also states just 87.7 percent of people without a high school degree are employed, compared to 92.8 percent of people with a high school degree or the equivalent, and 97 percent of people with a bachelor's degree or higher.
