Almost 18 percent of Americans have an active industry certification or license, according to 2015 data from the Census Bureau.
Highlights:
- The majority of professional credentials earned are licenses rather than certifications.
- Workers in the fields of health care, law and education are more likely to hold a license or certification. In addition, certifications are concentrated in computer and mathematics occupations.
- Median earnings for certification/license holders are 34 percent higher, in part because those with higher levels of education are more likely to attain these professional credentials.
- However, certifications and licenses don’t just benefit those with more education: Adults with less than a high school diploma who hold certifications or licenses are more than twice as likely to be employed as their peers without these credentials.
Government surveys have just begun gathering data on Americans who hold industry credentials, which are an increasingly important part of achieving success in the workforce.
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