What is Happening to America’s Less-Skilled Workers? The Importance of Education and Training in Today’s Economy

December 2, 2011 • Adam Looney, Michael Greenstone • Employment & Wages

Forty years ago, a high school education gave workers the skills they needed to hold down middle-class jobs and to participate in the gains of a growing economy. However, over the last 40 years, the earnings and employment opportunities for the typical high school graduate have fallen below those with a higher education. Earnings for the median man with a high school diploma are $26,000 today – roughly half the $50,00 the median man earned forty years ago. As our economy has continued to rapidly change through technological innovation and global competition, some workers skills have become less valuable.  Providing these workers can play an important role in putting Americans back to work in good-paying jobs.  Read the full report here.