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Quick look: Unemployment rates by education status

The unemployment rate in the U.S. ticked up to 9.7 percent in August, according to the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics. But that unemployment rate varies dramatically by education levels.
Written by Larry Dignan, Contributor

The unemployment rate in the U.S. ticked up to 9.7 percent in August, according to the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics. But that unemployment rate varies dramatically by education levels.

One thing to note: No matter how educated you are the unemployment level has moved higher (full release). Jobs losses have moderated, but that's still small comfort when there are 14.9 million people unemployed.

To wit:

  • People with less than a high school diploma had as seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 15.6 percent in August. A year ago: 9.7 percent.
  • High school graduates with no college had an unemployment rate of 9.7 percent. A year ago: 5.8 percent.
  • Folks with some college or associate degrees had an unemployment rate of 8.2 percent in August. A year ago: 5 percent.
  • People with a Bachelor's degree or higher had an unemployment rate of 4.7 percent in August. A year ago: 2.7 percent.

This chart (click to enlarge) shows the full data picture:

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com

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