Government Data Shows Income Disparities

October 26, 2006 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Adults with a bachelor's degree pulled in almost $23,000 more in 2004 salary than their counterparts holding only a high school diploma, new government data shows.

A US Census Bureau news release said Americans at least 18 years old who had a bachelor’s degree earned an average $51,524 in 2004, while their lesser-educated counterparts with a high school degree showed a $28,645 salary average during the year. Those with advanced college degrees generated the highest average 2004 earnings of $78,093.

Breaking down the data by race/ethnicity and gender, the data showed that average 2004 income was:

  • $33,996 for white male high school graduates and $65,367 for white males with a college bachelor’s degree.
  • $34,768 for non-Hispanic white high school graduates and $66,202 for non-Hispanic White males with a college bachelor’s degree.
  • $25,290 for black male high school graduates and $48,182 for black males with a college bachelor’s degree.
  • $19,754 for white female high school graduates and $36,345 for white females with a college bachelor’s degree.
  • $19,892 for non-Hispanic white female high school graduates and $36,531 for non-Hispanic white females with a college bachelor’s degree.
  • $18,439 for black female high school graduates and $37,726 for black females with a college bachelor’s degree.

The data are from the 2005 Current Population Survey’s (CPS) Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC). The ASEC is conducted in February, March and April at about 100,000 addresses nationwide. The data tables are here .

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