Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Newsletters Press Donate My Account Contacted By Us?
Pew Research Center Logo

Read our research on: Gun Policy | International Conflict | Election 2024

Pew Research Center Logo
Research Topics
All PublicationsMethodsShort ReadsTools & ResourcesExpertsAbout
Topics
Politics & PolicyInternational AffairsImmigration & MigrationRace & EthnicityReligionAge & GenerationsGender & LGBTQ
Family & RelationshipsEconomy & WorkScienceInternet & TechnologyNews Habits & MediaMethodological ResearchFull topic list
Regions & Countries
Asia & the PacificEurope & RussiaLatin AmericaMiddle East & North AfricaNorth AmericaSub-Saharan AfricaMultiple Regions / Worldwide
Formats
FeaturesFact SheetsVideosData Essays
Research Topics
Topics
Politics & PolicyInternational AffairsImmigration & MigrationRace & EthnicityReligionAge & GenerationsGender & LGBTQFamily & RelationshipsEconomy & WorkScienceInternet & TechnologyNews Habits & MediaMethodological ResearchFull topic list
Regions & Countries
Asia & the PacificEurope & RussiaLatin AmericaMiddle East & North AfricaNorth AmericaSub-Saharan AfricaMultiple Regions / Worldwide
Formats
FeaturesFact SheetsVideosData Essays
All PublicationsMethodsShort ReadsTools & ResourcesExpertsAboutNewslettersPressMy AccountContacted By Us?
DONATE

Read our research on: Gun Policy | International Conflict | Election 2024

Home Research Topics Economy & Work Business & Workplace
Pew Research CenterSeptember 28, 2016
The State of American Jobs

Those with postgraduate or professional degree more likely to see college as a place for personal growth

← Prev Page
Page40Page41Page42Page43Page44Page45Page46Page47Page48Page49Page50
Next Page →
Those with postgraduate or professional degree more likely to see college as a place for personal growth

Post Infographics

The State of American Jobs
How economic change is reshaping the workplace
Employment growth is more rapid in occupations requiring higher social or analytical skills
Over the past 25 years, employment growth has been most rapid in education and health services
Adults with higher levels of education see a greater need for ongoing training
Americans believe knowledge of computers, social dexterity, communications skills and access to training are keys to success for today’s workers
Workers acquire key job skills in a variety of settings
Wages are higher and increased more in occupations requiring relatively higher levels of social or analytic skills
People believe outsourcing and imports are the biggest harms to U.S. workers; they are more divided about the impact of immigrants and automation
Americans think individuals and public schools should have the most responsibility to make sure workers have the right skills
Americans have mixed views about how well post-high school education prepares students for the workforce
Economy tops other key issues in importance for presidential vote
Employment is rising faster in occupations requiring higher levels of preparation
Employment growth is more rapid in occupations requiring higher social or analytical skills
Employment growth is strongest in education and health services, but manufacturing is shedding workers
Fast-growing industries are more likely to employ people in occupations requiring higher levels of skills
Wages are higher and increased more in occupations requiring relatively higher levels of social or analytic skills
Women make up the majority of workers in occupations requiring higher social or analytical skills
Half of workers in occupations requiring higher social or analytical skills are college educated
Workers with higher levels of education are more likely to have a job-related certificate or license
A rising share of the population ages 55 and older is working
The typical earnings of employed women have increased
Participation in employer-sponsored health insurance plans fell most among young adults and the lesser educated
Share of workers who participate in a retirement plan or have access to one has fallen since 2000
The share of workers with at least 5 years on the job has risen since 1996
People are working more weeks and hours
More workers are in alternative employment arrangements
A smaller share of workers moonlight
The self-employment rate is falling
More than six-in-ten Americans say good jobs are hard to find where they live
Americans are more upbeat than downcast about how their standard of living has evolved – and will continue onward
Feelings about mobility linked to job satisfaction
Many think job conditions have become more challenging than a generation ago and that more stressful change is coming
College-educated Americans are more likely to think job stresses have grown since a generation ago and to anticipate more strains in the future
People believe outsourcing and imports are the biggest harms to U.S. workers; they are more divided about the impact of immigrants and automation
Views about the impact of immigrants on U.S. workers have shifted significantly in the past decade
Whites are more likely than others to think several forces have hurt U.S. workers
Americans think individuals and public schools should have the most responsibility to make sure workers have the right skills
Most say individuals are very responsible for job readiness; Democrats, more than Republicans, see a strong role for government, educational system
Americans believe knowledge of computers, social dexterity, communications skills and access to training are keys to success for today’s workers
Views on key skills for workers vary by education
Job satisfaction varies by family income
Full-time workers report being more satisfied than part-time workers with various aspects of life
Private sector employees less likely to say their job gives them a sense of identity
Youngest adults most likely to see their jobs as steppingstones to a career
Most feel their jobs are secure from outsourcing and automation
Wide gap in benefits offered to full- and part-time workers
Men more likely than women to feel underemployed
More educated workers see greater need for ongoing training and skills development
Many workers have taken a class or gotten training in past year, often because employer required it
Lower-income workers who seek additional training are motivated by wages, new job opportunities

Pew Research Center
1615 L St. NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
USA

(+1) 202-419-4300 | Main
(+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax
(+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries

Research Topics
Politics & PolicyInternational AffairsImmigration & MigrationRace & EthnicityReligionAge & GenerationsGender & LGBTQ
Family & RelationshipsEconomy & WorkScienceInternet & TechnologyNews Habits & MediaMethodological ResearchFull topic list
Follow Us
Email Newsletters Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube RSS

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Copyright 2025 Pew Research Center About Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Settings Reprints, Permissions & Use Policy Feedback Careers