Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree earned almost twice as much as those with just a high school diploma, but income disparities across racial and gender lines persist, according to U.S. Census Bureau data being released today.
The data tables in “Educational Attainment in the United States: 2005” indicate bachelor-degree holders earned an average $51,554 in 2004, compared to $28,645 earned by high school graduates and the $19,169 earned by those without a high school diploma.
Across all educational backgrounds, Black and Hispanic workers tended to earn less than their White and Asian counterparts, according to the data. Black high school graduates earned $23,498 compared to $25,823 earned by Hispanics, $28,289 earned by Asians and $30,197 earned by Whites.
Even having a bachelor’s degree did not equalize earnings across races. Blacks with bachelor’s degrees earned $42,342 while Whites earned $53,411, Asians earned $47,912 and Hispanics earned $45,166. Blacks with doctoral degrees earned $82,615 compared to $94,426 earned by non-Hispanic Whites.
More women than men reported holding at least an associate’s degree, but women did not outpace men in earnings. On average, women with bachelor’s degrees earn 61 percent of what men with the same educational attainment earn.
Not surprised by the data, Dr. William Spriggs, chair of the Economics Department at Howard University, says African-Americans tend to earn 25 percent less than other groups when education is controlled. Women continue to face occupational discrimination, being segregated in positions that pay less than other positions requiring the same level of education, such as teaching and nursing, he adds.
