Black individuals face significant economic barriers and systemic disadvantages compared to white families. Black family net wealth is on average $147,000 lower than white families. Black individuals also have a higher unemployment rate and fewer college degrees today. Many middle-skilled jobs that could provide family-sustaining wages only require a high school education or associate's degree but now often demand a four-year college degree, creating an over-credentialing barrier that makes these jobs more difficult for Black individuals to attain.

1. Black individuals face an economic gap & systemic barriers
Family net wealth is
significantly lower
Higher rate of
unemployment
Today’s jobs are
credentials-focused for
family-sustaining jobs
White
families
Black
families
$4K
$147K
Fewer have college
degrees today
Notes: *Jobs that are both attractive and attainable, requiring <5 years of experience, with low risk of automation in the next 5 years and with upward mobility
Source: NYTimes, The Education Trust; Bureau of Labor Statistics; Census Bureau, Institute for Policy Studies; Brookings Institute; Burning Glass, Labor Insights

2. Many ‘middle-skilled’ jobs
are over-credentialed
Difficult to
earn family
sustaining
wages
56%
4-year degree
required
23%
Middle skill
21%
“Soft bachelor’s”
Jobs that require 4-
year degree today
that don’t really
need it when looking
at underlying skills
High school / GED
Associate /
some college
Healthcare
IT
Transportation
Business Mgmt & Ops
Maintenance
& Installation
Construction
Other
63% 61%
Healthcare
IT
Transportation
Business Mgmt & Ops
Of “good” jobs are
currently over credentialed
with “soft bachelor’s”
Occupation Education
All US job postings