A Quarter of U.S. Workforce Occupies Jobs Not Requiring Formal Credentials

Why it matters locally: This national trend is reflected in North Carolina's labor market, where a significant portion of the 10.8 million residents are employed in roles that do not typically require a college degree, influencing workforce development strategies statewide.

WASHINGTON – Occupations not requiring a formal educational credential employ 37.4 million Americans, according to recent analysis. This figure demonstrates that nearly 25% of the U.S. workforce holds positions without a standard educational prerequisite. Analysts found that 24.1% of American workers fill these roles. Jobs typically requiring a high school diploma represent the largest occupational category within the U.S. labor market. This data refers to the typical entry-level education for a position, rather than the educational attainment of individuals currently holding those jobs. It categorizes occupations based on the most common pathway to employment in that field.