What We're Showing
This visualization compares median annual earnings in 2024 across U.S. states by education level, using the Census Bureau's American Community Survey estimates.
The chart shows differences from each state’s median income for workers without a high school diploma up to those with postgraduate degrees.
Key Takeaways
- California leads with a $53K postgraduate earnings premium over its overall state median, the largest in the country, followed by Washington (+$46K) and Virginia (+$40K).
- The District of Columbia has the highest overall median earnings at $91K, but also the steepest penalty for not finishing high school at $54K below the median.
- New York’s postgraduate premium is about $36K, while those without a high school diploma earn $26K below the state median, reflecting wide educational disparities.
