About 37% of adults ages 25 to 64 with at least a high school diploma went on to earn nondegree credentials (NDC) — professional certifications, licenses or certificates — which typically target specific skills and occupations, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Full-time workers in this age group with an NDC reported 16.4% higher annual median earnings than those without one, based on 2019–2024 combined data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation.
The Census Bureau said nondegree credentials may boost earnings, especially for those with just a high school diploma but sometimes even for those with college degrees. The findings were published in the America Counts series, which features stories behind the numbers on topics including families, housing, employment, business and the economy, education, health, population, and income and poverty.
The Census Bureau also pointed to related research showing that U.S. median inflation-adjusted income for householders age 25 and over rose 18% from 2004 to 2024, though income gains varied widely by education level.