The value of higher education - Degree requirements for higher-paying jobs in Wisconsin (2020-2030)

Oct 15, 2026

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Higher education debates focus on whether college credentials justify their costs. Using Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development long-term occupational employment projections for 2020 to 2030, the analysis examines annual job openings and the educational requirements for higher-paying occupations. While most expected openings do not require a college degree, a substantial share of higher-wage jobs does, with bachelor’s or advanced degrees dominating, and degree-holder job growth projected to drive future earnings potential.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Degrees required for majority of higher-paying jobs

Higher education and job openings in Wisconsin (2020–2030)

A Note on the Data Used in this Report

Sources, methodology, and limitations

Higher-paying job growth heavily favors degree holders

The value of higher education Amid intensifying debate on the benefits of higher education, we sought to provide context by examining the educational requirements of projected job openings in Wisconsin. Although a strong majority of the state’s expected job openings through 2030 do not require a college degree or credential, nearly two-thirds do in occupations with median wages of $50,000 or more. That is likely to increase in the future, as occupations that require higher education are expected to account for a disproportionate share of new higher-paying jobs. In recent months, national journalists and academic leaders have discussed a waning confidence among some Americans in the value of a college education (see examples in The New York Times Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and The Atlantic) . Rising sticker prices at both public and private institutions and expanding student loan debt increasingly are raising questions about whether the benefits of a college degree outweigh the costs. Labor market projections may add value to these discussions, as they provide insight on which occupations may offer the most opportunity in the future and the credentials they require. We examined data from the state Department of Workforce Development’s long-term occupational employment projections for 2020 to 2030 and reviewed the educational requirements of higher-paying jobs expected to open in Wisconsin in the coming years. For each occupation, the projections estimate annual job openings and provide information about the typical education needed for entry, wage data, and more (see text box on the following page for additional information about the projections) . It is important to note that estimates for wages and educational requirements are from 2020 and were produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which does not make projections for how wages or educational requirements may change in the future. In our analysis below, we focus primarily on “annual openings” in Wisconsin, which reflect the total number of jobs expected to become available each year for any reason, including exits (workers who leave the labor force entirely, such as through retirement), transfers (workers who leave one occupation for a different one), and growth (job creation). We also consider growth independently as an indicator of the likely future trajectory of the state’s job market. While higher education has other, non-financial costs and benefits for individuals and society, they are beyond the scope of this analysis. DEGREES REQUIRED FOR MAJORITY OF HIGHER-PAYING JOBS Nearly three-quarters (74%) of the roughly 357,000 jobs projected to open each year in Wisconsin between 2020 and 2030 are in occupations that typically did not require a college degree or credential as of 2020. A majority of those jobs require a high school diploma or equivalent, while many others have no formal educational requirements. For individuals seeking higher-paying jobs, however, these numbers tell only part of the story. Fewer than 95,000 (26%) of the state’s projected annual openings are in occupations that paid median wages of $50,000 or higher in 2020, which we use as a minimum threshold for “higher-paying jobs” in our analysis. That is somewhat above the state’s 2020 median wage of $41,150 across all jobs. Among higher-paying jobs expected to open each year in Wisconsin through 2030, more than half (54,802, or 58. 1%) will be in occupations that typically require a bachelor’s or advanced degree for entry (see Figure 1 on the previous page) . Another 5.9% require an associate degree or postsecondary non-degree award, such as a certificate or technical diploma from a community college. Meanwhile, roughly 25,000 (7%) of Wisconsin’s projected annual openings will be in occupations that pay a median wage of $75,000 or more annually. Raising the bar further, 91% of those jobs will require a bachelor’s or advanced degree. A Note on the Data Used in

FAQs

What data source supports the Wisconsin higher-paying job and education analysis?

The analysis uses the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s long-term occupational employment projections for 2020 to 2030, based on a national methodology from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Wisconsin industry employment data.

Do most projected Wisconsin job openings require a college degree?

No. Nearly three-quarters of the roughly 357,000 jobs projected to open each year between 2020 and 2030 are in occupations that typically do not require a college degree or credential.

Which degree levels are most common among higher-paying jobs projected to open?

Among higher-paying jobs expected to open each year, more than half require a bachelor’s or advanced degree for entry, while a smaller share requires an associate degree or a postsecondary non-degree award.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Melati