This landmark report shows where the jobs will be, by education level, occupation and industry through 2018, and how postsecondary education is increasingly essential to middle class earnings.

1. Help Wanted:
Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements
Through 2018
Anthony P. Carnevale, Nicole Smith, and Jeff Strohl
June 15, 2010

2. Overview
• Forecasting shows there will be a growing disconnect
between types of job openings and number of
Americans qualified for those jobs.
• Student’s choice of major is as important as the
decision to get a Bachelor’s degree.
• The economic value of 171 college majors is linked to
future earnings potential.

3. Forecast
• Education is increasingly essential to middle class
earnings.
• The education level of workers determines which
occupations and industries will be most available
through 2018.

4. College Economy
• New jobs forecast millions of workers will be left behind due to
jobs requiring workers with postsecondary education.
• By 2018, 63 percent of all jobs will require at least some
postsecondary education.

5. Jobs
• Employers will need 22 million new workers with
postsecondary degrees, and the United States will fall short by
3 million workers.
• Employers will need 4.7 million workers with postsecondary
certificates.

6. Con’t.
• In 2018, 75 percent to 90 percent of the following
jobs will require postsecondary degrees and comprise
40 percent of all jobs:
– Information Services
– Private Education Services
– Government and Public Education Services
– Financial Services
– Professional and Business Services
– Healthcare Services

7. Middle Class
• Postsecondary education and training determine access to the
middle class.
• People with only a high school diploma or less are falling out of
the middle class.

8. Con’t.
• In 1970, only 26 percent of the middle class completed
postsecondary education.Today, 61 percent need it.

9. Upper Class
• In 1970, only 44% of the upper class completed
postsecondary education.Today, 81% have
postsecondary education.

10. Conclusion
• Today’s career pathways are in occupations, not in
industries.
• The occupation you prepare for matters more than
your education level; 27 percent of people with
certificates and 31 percent of people with A.A.
degrees earn more than the average B.A. holder.

11. For more information:
See the full report at: cew.georgetown.edu/helpwanted
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