For release 10:00 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday, May 5, 2020 USDL-20-0813 

Technical information: nls_info@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/nls 

Media contact: (202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov

LABOR MARKET ACTIVITY, EDUCATION, AND PARTNER STATUS AMONG 

AMERICANS AT AGE 33: RESULTS FROM A LONGITUDINAL SURVEY

Americans born in the early 1980s held an average of 8.2 jobs from age 18 through age 32, the 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. These young adults held more jobs at younger 

ages: they held an average of 4.5 jobs from ages 18 to 22 compared with 2.3 jobs from ages 28 to 

32. While aged 18 to 32, women with more education held more jobs than women with less 

education. Regardless of education, men held a similar number of jobs. 

These findings are from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, a nationally 

representative survey of about 9,000 men and women who were born during the years 1980 to 

1984. These respondents were ages 12 to 17 when first interviewed in 1997 and ages 32 to 38 

when interviewed for the 18th time in 2017-18. The survey provides information on work and 

non-work experiences, training, schooling, income, assets, and other characteristics. The 

information provided by respondents is representative of all men and women born in the early 

1980s and living in the United States when the survey began in 1997. 

This release focuses on the educational attainment, employment experiences, and partner status 

of these individuals from their 18th birthday until they turned 33. Highlights from the 

longitudinal survey among this group include: 

• At their 25th birthday, 29 percent of women had received a bachelor’s degree and higher, 

compared with 22 percent of men. By their 33rd birthday, 37 percent of women held a 

bachelor’s degree and higher, compared with 30 percent of men. Seventy-five percent of 

women had at least attended some college by age 33 compared with 66 percent of men. (See 

table 1.) 

• Individuals held an average of 8.2 jobs from ages 18 through 32, with over half of these jobs 

being held between the ages of 18 and 22. (See table 2.) 

• Among individuals who started jobs while ages 18 to 24, the average individual had 57 

percent of their jobs end in less than a year, compared with an average of 37 percent among 

those who started jobs while ages 25 to 32. In this older age range, job duration is 

significantly longer for those with more education. Among individuals with less than a high 

school education who started jobs while ages 25 to 32, the average individual had 53 percent 

of their jobs end in less than a year, compared with 29 percent among those with a bachelor’s 
- 2 - 

degree and higher. (See table 3.) 

• Women with less than a high school diploma were employed an average of 39 percent of 

weeks from ages 18 to 32, while men with less than a high school diploma were employed 

64 percent of weeks. Among individuals with a bachelor’s degree and higher, both women 

and men were employed an average of 81 percent of weeks. (See table 4.)

• Individuals were employed for an average of 75 percent of weeks from ages 18 to 32. This 

varied across age brackets: from ages 18 to 22 individuals were employed 68 percent of 

weeks, from ages 23 to 27 and from ages 28 to 32 individuals were employed 78 percent of 

weeks. (See table 5.)

• At the time of their 33rd birthday, 50 percent of individuals were married, 17 percent were 

cohabiting, and 33 percent were single. The percent of individuals who were married varied 

by education; those with higher levels of education were more likely to be married and less 

likely to be cohabiting than those with lower levels of education. (See table 6.) 

• Men who were single at age 33 were employed 71 percent of the weeks from ages 18 to 32, 

compared with 84 percent for those who were married and 77 percent for those who were 

cohabiting. The percentage of weeks employed varied less by partner status for women; 

women who were single at age 33 were employed 69 percent of the weeks from ages 18 to 

32, compared with 73 percent for those who were married and 71 percent for those who were 

cohabiting. (See table 7.) 

Educational Attainment at Age 33

At 33 years of age, 33 percent of individuals had received a bachelor’s degree and higher while 

37 percent had attended some college or received an associate degree. Twenty-three percent had 

a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) credential and no further 

schooling. (See table 1.) 

Women were more likely than men to have received a bachelor’s degree by age 25, and this gap 

did not decrease by age 33. Twenty-two percent of men had earned a bachelor’s degree by age 

25, compared with 29 percent of women. By 33 years of age, 30 percent of men had earned a 

bachelor’s degree compared to 37 percent of women. In total, 66 percent of men had either 

attended some college or received a bachelor’s degree, compared with 75 percent of women. In 

addition to being more likely to attend college, women were more likely to have finished their 

college degree. Of the 75 percent of women who started college, nearly 50 percent received a 

bachelor's degree by age 33. In comparison, of the 66 percent of men who started college, 45 

percent had received a bachelor's degree.

At age 33, there was a large difference in educational attainment among racial and ethnic groups. 

Blacks and Hispanics or Latinos were more likely than Whites to have dropped out of high 

school. In comparison, Whites were more likely to have ever attended college (73 percent of 

Whites, compared to 63 percent of Blacks and 62 percent of Hispanics or Latinos) and nearly 

twice as likely to have received a bachelor's degree by this age. Thirty-eight percent of Whites 
- 3 - 

had received a bachelor's degree at age 33, compared with 20 percent of both Blacks and 

Hispanics or Latinos.

Within each racial and ethnic group examined at age 33, women were more likely to have a 

bachelor’s degree than men. White women were more likely than White men to have received a 

bachelor’s degree (42 percent compared with 34 percent), Black women were more likely than 

Black men (25 percent compared with 15 percent), and Hispanic or Latino women were more 

likely than Hispanic or Latino men (22 percent compared with 18 percent) to have received a 

bachelor’s degree. 

Employment Experiences from Age 18 through Age 32 

Americans born in 1980-84 held an average of 8.2 jobs from ages 18 through 32, with over half 

of these jobs held from ages 18 to 22. Men held an average of 8.1 jobs and women held an 

average of 8.3 jobs. Women at higher levels of educational attainment held more jobs than 

women at lower levels. Women with a bachelor’s degree held 8.8 jobs from ages 18 through 32, 

compared with 6.5 jobs for female high school dropouts. Men held a similar number of jobs 

regardless of their level of educational attainment. (See table 2.) A job is defined as a period of 

work, including gaps, with a particular employer. (See the Technical Note for additional 

information on the definition of a job.) 

Examining employment experiences by smaller age brackets shows individuals held fewer jobs 

in each subsequent age bracket. Individuals held an average of 4.5 jobs in the 5-year period from 

ages 18 to 22. The number of jobs individuals held dropped to 3.3 jobs in the 5-year period from 

ages 23 to 27, and then dropped further to 2.3 jobs in the 5-year period from ages 28 to 32. The 

pattern of individuals holding fewer jobs as they aged was similar across all sexes, racial and 

0

2

4

6

8

10

18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32

Number of Jobs Held

Age

Chart 1. Cumulative number of jobs held from age 18 

through age 32 in 1998-2017, by sex and age

Men

Women
- 4 - 

ethnic groups, and levels of educational attainment. The diminishing slope in Chart 1 shows the 

decline in rate at which workers change jobs as they age.

Duration of Employment Relationships

The length of time a worker remains with an employer increased with the age at which the 

worker began the job. Of the jobs began between ages 18 to 24, the average worker had 57 

percent of jobs end in less than a year and 90 percent of jobs end in less than 6 years. Among 

jobs began when 25 to 32 years old, the average worker had 37 percent of jobs end in less than a 

year and 73 percent end in less than 6 years.

Job duration is also related to education. Sixty-five percent of the jobs the average high school 

dropout started while age 18 to 24 ended within a year, compared with 55 percent of jobs started 

at those ages by the average individual with a bachelor’s degree. (See table 3.) 

Among individuals with less than a high school diploma who started jobs when they were 25 to 

32 years of age, the average individual had 53 percent of these jobs end in less than a year and 85 

percent end in less than 6 years. In comparison, for the average individuals with a bachelor’s 

degree who started jobs at those ages, 29 percent of the jobs ended in under 1 year and only 67 

percent ended in less than 6 years.

0

20

40

60

80

100

Less than a high

school diploma

High school graduates,

no college

Some college or

associate degree

Bachelor's degree and

higher

Percent of Weeks

Chart 2. Percent of weeks individuals were employed 

from age 18 through age 32 in 1998-2017, by educational 

attainment and sex

Men Women
- 5 - 

Percent of Weeks Employed, Unemployed, and Not in the Labor Force

On average, individuals born in 1980-84 were employed during 75 percent of all the weeks from 

age 18 through age 32, unemployed—that is, without a job but seeking work—6 percent of the 

weeks, and not in the labor force—that is, neither working nor seeking work—19 percent of the 

weeks. (See table 4.)

As a whole, individuals with higher levels of educational attainment were employed for a higher 

percentage of weeks and unemployed for a lower percentage of weeks than individuals with 

lower levels of education. The percentage of weeks not in the labor force decreased with

increases in educational attainment.

Men were more active in the labor market than women from ages 18 to 32. As a whole, they 

spent less time not in the labor force than women (16 percent compared with 23 percent) and 

more time employed (78 percent compared with 72 percent). This relationship held at all levels 

of educational attainment except among those with a bachelor’s degree. Women with a 

bachelor's degree and higher spent the same proportion of weeks employed as similarly educated 

men (81 percent) and the same time not in the labor force (16 percent). (See chart 2.)

Employment gaps existed between racial and ethnic groups. On average, Whites were employed 

during 77 percent of the weeks that occurred from age 18 through age 32, Hispanics or Latinos 

were employed during 74 percent of the weeks, and Blacks were employed during 66 percent of 

the weeks.

0

20

40

60

80

100

Less than a high school

diploma

High school graduates,

no college

Some college or

associate degree

Bachelor's degree and

higher

Percent of Weeks

Chart 3. Percent of weeks individuals were employed from 

age 18 through age 32 in 1998-2017, by educational 

attainment and race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Hispanic or Latino
- 6 - 

The employment gap between Whites and Blacks is more pronounced at lower levels of 

educational attainment. White high school dropouts spent 56 percent of weeks employed from 

ages 18 through 32, while Black dropouts spent 37 percent of weeks employed during these ages. 

The gap is smaller among those who held a bachelor's degree. White college graduates spent 82 

percent of weeks employed, while Black college graduates spent 79 percent of weeks employed. 

(See chart 3.)

The employment gap between Hispanics or Latinos and Blacks is also more pronounced at lower 

levels of educational attainment. Hispanic or Latino dropouts spent 57 percent of weeks 

employed from ages 18 through 32, while Black dropouts spent 37 percent of weeks employed 

during these ages. Hispanic or Latino and Black college graduates spent a similar percentage of 

weeks employed (80 percent compared with 79 percent).

Individuals spent 68 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 to 22, 78 percent of weeks 

employed from ages 23 to 27, and 78 percent of weeks employed from ages 28 to 32. Men spent 

a higher percentage of weeks employed in each subsequent age bracket, but this was not the case 

for women. Men spent 69 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 to 22; this increased to 81 

percent of weeks from ages 23 to 27 and then increased slightly to 83 percent from ages 28 to 32. 

Women spent 68 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 to 22; this increased to 75 percent of 

weeks from ages 23 to 27, but decreased slightly to 73 percent from ages 28 to 32. Men were 

employed a higher percentage of weeks than women within all age brackets. (See table 5.) 

The employment gap between racial and ethnic groups also existed within each age bracket 

analyzed. Within all age brackets, Whites were employed a higher percentage of weeks than both 

Blacks and Hispanics or Latinos, and Hispanics or Latinos were employed a higher percentage of 

weeks than Blacks.

0

20

40

60

80

100

Age 25 Age 33 Age 25 Age 33 Age 25 Age 33

Single Married Cohabiting

Percent

Chart 4. Partner status of individuals at age 25 in 2005-2009 

and at age 33 in 2013-17, by educational attainment

Less than a high school diploma High school graduates, no college

Some college or associate degree Bachelor's degree and higher
- 7 - 

As these individuals aged, they generally spent less time out of the labor force. Men spent 24 

percent of weeks not in the labor force from 18 to 22 years of age, 12 percent of weeks from ages 

23 to 27, and 11 percent from ages 28 to 32. Women spent 27 percent of weeks out of the labor 

force from ages 18 to 22, and 20 percent and 22 percent of weeks out of the labor force at ages 

23 to 27 and ages 28 to 32, respectively. At older ages, women were nearly twice as likely as 

men to not be in the labor force. 

Partner Status and Employment Experiences

At 25 years of age, 27 percent of Americans born during 1980-84 were married, 20 percent were 

cohabiting (unmarried and living with a partner), and 52 percent were single (not married and not 

living with a partner). Comparatively, at 33 years of age, 50 percent were married, 17 percent 

were cohabiting, and 33 percent were single. (See table 6.) 

At age 33, those with higher levels of education were more likely to be married and less likely to 

be cohabiting than those with lower levels of education. At the time of their 33rd birthday, 32 

percent of high school dropouts, 42 percent of high school graduates with no college, 49 percent 

of individuals with some college or an associate degree, and 60 percent of college graduates were 

married. Twenty-eight percent of those with less than a high school diploma were cohabiting, 

compared with only 13 percent of those with a bachelor’s degree and higher. (See chart 4.)

Partner status varied greatly by race and ethnicity. Blacks were more likely to be single than 

either Whites or Hispanics or Latinos. At 33 years of age, 56 percent of Blacks were single, 

compared with 27 percent of Whites and 36 percent of Hispanics or Latinos. Blacks were also 

0

20

40

60

80

100

Men Women White, nonHispanicBlack, nonHispanicHispanic or Latino

Percent of Weeks

Chart 5. Percent of weeks individuals were employed from 

age 18 through age 32 in 1998-2017, by sex, race and 

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and partner status 

Single Married Cohabiting
- 8 - 

significantly less likely to be married than either Whites or Hispanics or Latinos (30 percent 

compared with 56 percent and 45 percent, respectively). 

At both ages 25 and 33, women were significantly more likely to be married and less likely to be 

single than men. By their 33rd birthday, 53 percent of women were married, 30 percent were 

single, and 17 percent were cohabiting, while 46 percent of men were married, 36 percent were 

single, and 18 percent were cohabiting. Women were also more likely to be married than men at 

each level of educational attainment.

Compared with individuals who were single at age 33, those who were married worked more 

weeks from ages 18 to 32, spent fewer weeks unemployed, and spent fewer weeks not in the 

labor force. From ages 18 to 32, single individuals spent 70 percent of weeks employed, 8 

percent of weeks unemployed, and 22 percent of weeks not in the labor force, while those who 

were married spent 78 percent of weeks employed, 4 percent of weeks unemployed, and 18 

percent of weeks not in the labor force. Cohabiting individuals spent 74 percent of weeks 

employed, 7 percent of weeks unemployed, and 19 percent of weeks not in the labor force. (See 

table 7.) 

Men accounted for most of the variation in employment experiences by partner status. Married 

men worked more weeks, were unemployed fewer weeks, and were less likely to be not in the 

labor force than either single or cohabiting men. Married men spent 84 percent of weeks 

employed, compared with 71 percent for single men and 77 percent for cohabiting men. They 

spent 5 percent of weeks unemployed, compared with 8 percent for both single men and 

cohabiting men. Married men spent 12 percent of weeks out of the labor force, compared with 21 

percent for single men and 15 percent for cohabiting men. In contrast, there were limited 

differences in the employment experiences of women by partner status. Married women were 

employed a slightly higher percentage of weeks than non-married women (73 percent compared 

with 69 percent for single women and 71 percent for cohabiting women) and were unemployed a 

lower percentage of weeks than either single or cohabiting women (4 percent compared with 8 

percent and 6 percent, respectively). (See chart 5.) 

Married individuals also worked more weeks than single individuals within racial and ethnic 

groups. Married Whites spent a higher percentage of weeks employed than single Whites (79 

percent compared with 73 percent), married Blacks spent a higher percentage of weeks employed 

than single Blacks (72 percent compared with 63 percent), and married Hispanics or Latinos 

spent a higher percentage of weeks employed than single Hispanics or Latinos (76 percent 

compared with 72 percent). 
Technical Note

The estimates in this release were obtained 

using data from the first 18 rounds of the National 

Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97). 

This survey is conducted by the Center for 

Human Resource Research at The Ohio State 

University and the National Opinion Research 

Center at the University of Chicago under the 

direction and sponsorship of the U.S. Department 

of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Sample

The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 

1997 is a nationally representative sample of 

8,984 young men and women who were ages 12 

to 16 on December 31, 1996. This sample is 

composed of the following groups:

• A cross-sectional sample designed to represent 

the noninstitutionalized, civilian segment of 

young people living in the U.S. in 1997 and born 

between January 1, 1980, and December 31,

1984. 

• Supplemental samples of Hispanic or Latino and 

Black youths living in the U.S. in1997 and born 

between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 

1984. 

This sample size is not adjusted for sample

members who have died. 

Individuals were surveyed annually from

1997–2011 and biennially since 2011. In 2017-18, 

6,734 individuals responded to the survey, for a 

retention rate of 75 percent (representing a 77 

percent response rate among those sample 

members who are still living). Only these 

individuals are included in the estimates in this 

release. This release examines the period from 

respondents’ 18th birthday until their 33rd

birthday. All results are weighted using the 

survey weights from the round in the year the 

respondents turned 33, with the exception of age 

25 characteristics in Tables 1 and 6, which use 

survey weights at age 25. The survey weights 

correct for interview nonresponse and permanent 

attrition from the survey. When weighted, the 

data represent all people who were born in the 

years 1980 to 1984 and living in the U.S. in 1997. 

Not represented by the survey are U.S. 

immigrants who were born from 1980 to 1984 and 

moved to the U.S. after 1997. NLSY97 sample 

members remain eligible to be interviewed during 

military service or if they become incarcerated or 

institutionalized. 

Work history data 

The total number of jobs that people hold 

during their work life is an easy concept to 

understand but a difficult one to measure.

Reliable estimatesrequire a survey that interviews 

the same people over the course of their entire 

work life and also keeps track of all the jobs they 

ever held. The NLSY97 tracks the number of jobs 

that people have held, but the respondents in this

survey are still young and have many years of 

work life ahead of them. As the cohort continues 

to age, however, more complete information will 

become available.

A unique feature of the NLSY97 is that it 

collects the beginning and ending dates of all jobs 

held bya respondent so that a longitudinal history 

can be constructed of each respondent’s work 

experiences. The NLSY97 work history data 

provide a week-by-week work record of each 

respondent from January 1, 1994, through the 

most recent survey date. These data contain

information on the respondent’s labor force status 

each week, the usual hours worked per week at 

all jobs, and earnings for all jobs. If a respondent 

worked at more than one job in any week, hours 

and earnings are obtained for additional jobs. 

When a respondent who missed one or more 

consecutive survey rounds is interviewed again, 

he or she is asked to provide information about all 

time since the last interview.
Interaction between time and age in a 

longitudinal survey

Because the NLSY97 is a longitudinal 

survey, meaning the same people are surveyed 

over time, the ages of the respondents change 

with each survey round. It is important to keep in

mind this inherent link between the calendar years

and the ages of the respondents. The youngest 

respondents in the sample (birth year 1984) 

turned 33 during calendar year 2017, whereas the 

oldest respondents (birth year 1980) turned 33 

during calendar year 2013. Some respondents 

may not be used in all tables if information about 

their work history is incomplete. 

As with age, the education attainment of

individuals may change from year to year. 

Educational attainment is taken at the time of the 

respondents’ 33rd birthday. If a respondent had 

not earned a high school diploma or General 

Educational Development (GED) credential, he 

or she is counted as a high school dropout. 

Individuals with an associate degree or any 

enrollment in college after high school are 

counted as having some college.

Definitions

Job. A job is defined as a period of work with

a particular employer. Jobs are therefore 

employer-based, not position- based. If a 

respondent indicates that he or she left a job but 

in a subsequent survey returned to the same job, 

it would not be counted as a new job. For selfemployed workers, each “new” job is defined by 

the individuals themselves. 

Employed. The NLSY97 collects 

employment histories for civilian jobs and 

military service. Respondents are classified as 

employed if they did any work during the 

specified time period as paid employees, as selfemployed proprietors of their own businesses, as 

unpaid workers in a business owned by a member 

of their family, or if they were serving in the 

Armed Forces.

Unemployed. Respondents are classified as 

unemployed if they did not work during the 

specified time period but reported that they 

looked for work or were on layoff from a job. No 

probing for intensity of job search is done.

Not in the labor force. Respondents are 

classified as not in the labor force if they did not 

work or look for work during the specified time 

period. 

Partner Status. Partner status is determined 

during the month the individual turned 33. 

Respondents who are married but not living with

their spouses are counted as married. To be 

marked as cohabitating, the respondent must be 

living with an individual of either gender for at 

least one month in a sexual relationship. Living 

with roommates or parents would not affect

partner status. Respondents who are not married

and not cohabitating are counted as single.

Race and ethnic groups. In this release, the 

findings are reported for non-Hispanic Whites, 

non-Hispanic Blacks, and Hispanics or Latinos.

These groups are mutually exclusive but not

exhaustive. Other groups, which are included in

the overall totals, are not shown separately

because their representation in the survey sample 

is not sufficiently large to provide statistically 

reliable estimates. In other BLS publications, 

estimates usually are published for Whites, 

Blacks, and Hispanics or Latinos, but these 

groups are not mutually exclusive. The term 

Hispanic or Latino is considered to be an 

ethnicity group, and Hispanics or Latinos can be 

of any race. Most other BLS publications include 

estimates for Hispanics or Latinos in the White 

and Black race groups in addition to the Hispanic 

or Latino ethnicity group. 

Information in this release will be made available 

to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. 

Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Federal Relay 

Service: (800) 877-8339. 
Total

High 

school 

diploma

General 

Educational 

Development 

(GED) 

recipients

Total Some 

college

Bachelor's 

degree and 

higher 1

Total, age 25 in 2005‐2009 ............ 8.7 26.7 19.7 7.1 64.2 39.0 25.2

White, non‐Hispanic ..................... 7.1 26.1 19.5 6.5 66.6 37.0 29.6

Black, non‐Hispanic ..................... 13.2 30.1 19.5 10.5 55.7 43.0 12.7

Hispanic or Latino ........................ 12.4 30.3 23.8 6.5 56.8 44.4 12.4

Men ................................................... 8.7 30.5 22.3 8.3 60.3 38.6 21.7

White, non‐Hispanic ..................... 6.8 29.8 22.4 7.5 63.2 37.0 26.2

Black, non‐Hispanic ..................... 14.7 35.4 21.8 13.6 48.3 39.3 9.0

Hispanic or Latino ........................ 12.6 33.1 25.9 7.2 53.7 44.0 9.7

Women ............................................ 8.6 23.0 17.1 5.9 68.1 39.4 28.6

White, non‐Hispanic ..................... 7.3 22.4 16.8 5.6 69.9 37.0 32.9

Black, non‐Hispanic ..................... 11.9 25.0 17.4 7.6 62.8 46.5 16.3

Hispanic or Latino ........................ 12.1 27.3 21.6 5.7 60.0 44.9 15.2

Total, age 33 in 2013‐2017 .......... 6.4 23.1 15.7 7.4 70.4 37.2 33.2

White, non‐Hispanic ..................... 5.4 21.9 15.7 6.2 72.6 34.9 37.7

Black, non‐Hispanic ..................... 9.1 27.0 15.4 11.6 63.4 43.3 20.1

Hispanic or Latino ........................ 9.9 28.1 19.8 8.2 61.8 41.8 19.9

Men ................................................... 6.6 27.0 17.9 9.1 66.2 36.6 29.6

White, non‐Hispanic ..................... 5.6 25.5 18.1 7.4 68.9 34.9 34.0

Black, non‐Hispanic ..................... 10.0 34.2 17.6 16.6 55.2 40.4 14.8

Hispanic or Latino ........................ 10.2 31.0 21.8 9.1 58.6 41.0 17.7

Women ............................................ 6.1 19.0 13.4 5.5 74.8 37.7 37.0

White, non‐Hispanic ..................... 5.3 18.3 13.3 5.0 76.4 34.9 41.5

Black, non‐Hispanic ..................... 8.3 19.6 13.1 6.5 71.7 46.2 25.4

Hispanic or Latino ........................ 9.5 24.8 17.6 7.2 65.3 42.8 22.4

    NOTE:  The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young  men and women who were ages 12 to 16

on December 31, 1996.  Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other

race groups, which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the

survey sample is not sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment is determined

during the month of the respondent's 25th or 33rd birthday.

   1  Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.

Table 1. Educational attainment of individuals at ages 25 and 33 in 2005-2017 by sex, race, and Hispanic or 

Latino ethnicity 

 Characteristic

Highest Grade Completed

High 

school 

dropouts

High School Graduates College
Total 2 Ages 18 

to 22

Ages 23

to 27

Ages 28

to 32

Total, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017......................... 8.2 4.5 3.3 2.3

 Less than a high school diploma ........................ 7.3 3.9 2.8 1.9

 High school graduates, no college 3 ..................... 7.6 4.3 3.0 2.0

 Some college or associate degree ...................... 8.5 4.7 3.3 2.4

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4 ........................... 8.5 4.6 3.5 2.4

Men ...................................................................... 8.1 4.4 3.3 2.3

 Less than a high school diploma ........................ 8.0 4.4 3.1 2.1

 High school graduates, no college 3 ..................... 7.9 4.4 3.2 2.2

 Some college or associate degree ...................... 8.3 4.5 3.3 2.4

 Bachelor's degree or higher 4 .............................. 8.0 4.2 3.4 2.4

Women .................................................................. 8.3 4.7 3.3 2.2

 Less than a high school diploma ........................ 6.5 3.4 2.5 1.6

 High school graduates, no college 3 ..................... 7.1 4.1 2.8 1.8

 Some college or associate degree ...................... 8.6 4.9 3.3 2.3

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4 ........................... 8.8 4.9 3.6 2.4

White, non-Hispanic................................................ 8.4 4.7 3.3 2.3

 Less than a high school diploma ........................ 8.1 4.5 3.0 2.0

 High school graduates, no college 3 ..................... 7.7 4.5 3.0 2.0

 Some college or associate degree ...................... 8.7 4.9 3.3 2.4

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4 ........................... 8.6 4.8 3.6 2.4

Black, non-Hispanic .................................................. 7.9 4.1 3.2 2.3

 Less than a high school diploma ........................ 5.6 2.9 2.2 1.5

 High school graduates, no college 3 ..................... 7.2 3.9 2.9 1.9

 Some college or associate degree ...................... 8.7 4.4 3.5 2.5

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4 ........................... 8.3 4.3 3.4 2.6

Hispanic or Latino................................................ 7.4 4.0 3.1 2.1

 Less than a high school diploma ........................ 7.2 3.7 2.9 2.1

 High school graduates, no college 3

 ..................... 7.1 3.8 2.9 2.1

 Some college or associate degree ...................... 7.5 4.3 3.0 2.1

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4 ........................... 7.8 4.1 3.3 2.3

 4 Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 33 when interviewed in 2017-18. The National 

Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 

1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groups, 

which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample 

is not sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment is determined during the 

month of the respondent's 33rd birthday.

Table 2. Number of jobs held by individuals from age 18 through age 32 in 1998-2017 by educational 

attainment, sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and age

Characteristic

Average number of jobs for persons ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 1

 1 Time span includes up to the month before the respondent's 33rd birthday.

 2 Jobs that were held in more than one of the age categories were counted in each appropriate column, but only 

once in the total column.

 3 Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential.
Less than 1 

year

Less than 2 

years

Less than 3 

years

Less than 6 

years 

Less than 

13 years

Total, ages 18 to 24 in 1998-2009......... 57.2 73.9 81.5 90.4 95.2 4.5

Men .................................................... 56.9 73.0 80.5 89.3 94.4 5.4

Women ............................................... 57.5 74.7 82.5 91.5 96.1 3.6

White, non-Hispanic ........................... 56.7 73.2 81.0 89.9 95.2 4.5

Black, non-Hispanic ............................ 62.3 78.2 84.8 92.3 96.1 3.7

Hispanic or Latino ............................... 54.5 72.1 80.0 89.8 94.6 5.3

Less than a high school diploma ......... 65.4 80.7 85.9 92.1 96.0 3.6

High school graduates, no college 1 ...... 56.4 72.7 79.9 88.6 94.5 5.0

Some college or associate degree ...... 58.3 74.8 81.8 90.5 95.1 4.7

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ............. 55.1 72.4 81.4 91.2 95.8 4.1

Total, ages 25 to 32 in 2005-2017......... 37.3 54.1 62.5 72.5 75.1 24.9

Men .................................................... 35.5 52.0 60.2 70.0 72.6 27.4

Women ............................................... 39.1 56.3 64.9 75.1 77.6 22.4

White, non-Hispanic ........................... 36.2 52.7 61.2 71.5 74.2 25.8

Black, non-Hispanic ............................ 42.0 59.3 67.9 76.4 77.8 22.2

Hispanic or Latino ............................... 36.9 54.2 63.0 73.2 75.6 24.4

Less than a high school diploma ......... 52.9 70.0 77.0 85.1 86.0 14.0

High school graduates, no college 1 ...... 40.0 56.8 64.9 74.3 77.1 22.9

Some college or associate degree ...... 40.7 57.9 66.3 74.9 77.3 22.7

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ............. 29.0 45.4 54.2 66.7 69.5 30.5

 1 Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential.

 2 Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 33 when interviewed in 2017-18. The National 

Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. 

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groups, which are 

included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample is not sufficiently 

large to provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment is determined during the month of the respondent's 

33rd birthday.

Characteristic

Table 3. Duration of employment relationship with a single employer for individuals who started jobs from age 18 

through age 32 in 1998-2017 by age at start of job, educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Cumulative percent distribution of duration

 of completed employment relationships Percent 

of jobs 

ongoing 

in 2017 

survey
Total, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 ......................... 74.8 6.0 19.2

Less than a high school diploma ......................... 51.9 12.0 36.1

High school graduates, no college 1 ...................... 71.0 8.0 21.0

Some college or associate degree .................... 75.7 6.5 17.8

Bachelor's degree and higher2 

............................... 80.8 2.9 16.3

Men ............................................................................. 77.9 6.6 15.5

Less than a high school diploma ........................ 63.5 13.4 23.2

High school graduates, no college 1 

...................... 76.0 8.6 15.3

Some college or associate degree .................... 79.6 6.7 13.7

Bachelor's degree and higher2 ............................... 80.6 3.1 16.3

Women ..................................... 71.6 5.5 23.0

Less than a high school diploma ....................... 38.9 10.5 50.6

High school graduates, no college 1 ...................... 63.5 7.1 29.4

Some college or associate degree .................... 71.7 6.4 21.9

Bachelor's degree and higher2 ............................... 80.9 2.8 16.2

White, non-Hispanic ............................................... 77.1 5.0 17.9

Less than a high school diploma ......................... 56.2 11.2 32.6

High school graduates, no college 1 ...................... 74.5 6.8 18.7

Some college or associate degree .................... 77.3 5.4 17.3

Bachelor's degree and higher2 ............................... 81.5 2.6 15.9

Black, non-Hispanic ................................................... 65.6 10.8 23.7

Less than a high school diploma ........................ 37.0 16.2 46.9

High school graduates, no college 1 ...................... 60.2 12.2 27.6

Some college or associate degree .................... 68.8 11.4 19.9

Bachelor's degree and higher2 ............................... 78.8 5.1 16.1

Hispanic or Latino ..................................................... 73.9 6.1 20.0

Less than a high school diploma ........................... 56.8 9.7 33.5

High school graduates, no college 1 ...................... 70.1 7.6 22.3

Some college or associate degree .................... 77.5 5.4 17.0

Bachelor's degree and higher2 ............................... 80.1 3.7 16.2

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 33 when interviewed in 2017-18. The 

National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on 

December 31, 1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. 

Other race groups, which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their 

representation in the survey sample is not sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. 

Educational attainment is determined during the month of the respondent's 33rd birthday.

Table 4. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 

through age 32 in 1998-2017 by educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Characteristic

Percent of total weeks while ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017

Employed Unemployed Not in labor force

 1 Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) 

credential.

 2 Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.
Total, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017..................................... 74.8 6.0 19.2

 Ages 18 to 22 in 1998-2007 ............................................ 68.3 6.4 25.3

 Ages 23 to 27 in 2003-2012................................................. 78.1 6.0 15.9

 Ages 28 to 32 in 2008-2017 ............................................ 78.0 5.8 16.3

Men, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 ..................................... 77.9 6.6 15.5

 Ages 18 to 22 in 1998-2007 ............................................ 69.1 7.0 23.9

 Ages 23 to 27 in 2003-2012................................................. 81.4 6.7 11.9

 Ages 28 to 32 in 2008-2017 ............................................ 83.1 6.2 10.7

Women, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 ............................... 71.6 5.5 23.0

 Ages 18 to 22 in 1998-2007 ............................................ 67.5 5.8 26.8

 Ages 23 to 27 in 2003-2012................................................. 74.7 5.4 20.0

 Ages 28 to 32 in 2008-2017 ............................................ 72.6 5.4 22.0

White, non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 ........... 77.1 5.0 17.9

 Ages 18 to 22 in 1998-2007 ............................................ 71.5 5.2 23.4

 Ages 23 to 27 in 2003-2012................................................. 80.1 5.1 14.7

 Ages 28 to 32 in 2008-2017 ............................................ 79.8 4.7 15.5

Black, non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 ............ 65.6 10.8 23.7

 Ages 18 to 22 in 1998-2007 ............................................ 56.9 11.2 31.9

 Ages 23 to 27 in 2003-2012................................................. 69.5 10.3 20.2

 Ages 28 to 32 in 2008-2017 ............................................ 70.2 10.9 18.9

Hispanic or Latino, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 ............... 73.9 6.1 20.0

 Ages 18 to 22 in 1998-2007 ............................................ 67.6 7.0 25.5

 Ages 23 to 27 in 2003-2012................................................. 77.7 5.9 16.4

 Ages 28 to 32 in 2008-2017 ............................................ 76.4 5.5 18.1

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 33 when interviewed in 2017-18. The National 

Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 

1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groups, 

which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey 

sample is not sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. 

Table 5. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 

through age 32 in 1998-2017 by age, educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Age and characteristic

Percent of total weeks 

Employed Unemployed Not in Labor Force
Total ................................................................. 52.3 27.4 20.3 33.0 49.7 17.2

Less than a high school diploma ................. 44.8 24.7 30.5 39.9 32.1 28.0

High school graduates, no college 1

................ 45.3 29.9 24.9 36.0 42.1 21.9

Some college or associate degree ............... 53.0 29.4 17.7 34.8 48.6 16.7

   Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ........................ 61.4 22.5 16.1 27.8 59.7 12.5

Men ............................................................... 59.5 22.1 18.4 35.9 46.3 17.7

Less than a high school diploma ................. 52.8 19.5 27.8 41.6 31.5 26.9

High school graduates, no college 1

................ 51.9 24.2 23.9 38.8 38.3 23.0

Some college or associate degree ............... 60.5 24.0 15.5 37.9 45.0 17.1

   Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ........................ 71.0 16.9 12.1 29.6 58.7 11.7

Women .......................................................... 45.3 32.5 22.2 30.1 53.3 16.7

Less than a high school diploma ................. 36.8 30.0 33.3 38.0 32.8 29.2

High school graduates, no college 1

................ 36.6 37.2 26.2 31.9 47.7 20.4

Some college or associate degree ............... 45.7 34.5 19.8 31.6 52.2 16.2

   Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ........................ 54.3 26.7 19.0 26.3 60.5 13.2

White, non‐Hispanic ...................................... 48.6 30.8 20.7 26.8 56.0 17.2

Less than a high school diploma ................. 37.4 32.4 30.3 38.6 33.3 28.1

High school graduates, no college 1

................ 39.8 33.9 26.3 28.8 47.7 23.6

Some college or associate degree ............... 48.6 33.5 17.9 28.4 55.0 16.6

   Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ........................ 58.8 24.3 16.8 22.6 64.9 12.5

Black, non‐Hispanic ........................................ 68.0 12.9 19.1 55.8 29.5 14.7

Less than a high school diploma ................. 70.4 7.3 22.4 53.1 26.4 20.5

High school graduates, no college 1

................ 66.5 11.7 21.8 60.7 23.3 16.0

Some college or associate degree ............... 66.7 15.1 18.2 53.9 30.8 15.2

   Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ........................ 73.4 14.4 12.2 54.4 36.2 9.3

Hispanic or Latino .......................................... 48.7 30.8 20.5 35.7 44.9 19.4

Less than a high school diploma ................. 32.9 25.1 42.0 28.9 35.3 35.8

High school graduates, no college 1

................ 43.6 35.2 21.2 35.8 42.9 21.3

Some college or associate degree ............... 52.7 31.2 16.2 37.3 45.9 16.8

   Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ........................ 62.8 24.4 12.7 35.6 50.5 14.0

Cohabiting

    1  Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential.     2  Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.

   NOTE:  This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 33 when interviewed in 2017‐18.  The National

Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31,

1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groups,

which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample

is not sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment and partner status are

determined during the month of the respondent's 25th or 33rd birthday.

Table 6. Partner status at age 25 and age 33 by educational attainment, sex, race and Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity

Characteristic

Percent of individuals

 Age 25 in 2005-2009 Age 33 in 2013-2017 

Single Married Cohabiting Single Married
Characteristic

Total, ages 18 to 32 in 1998‐2017............... 70.1 8.1 21.8 78.2 4.2 17.6 74.0 7.2 18.8

Less than a high school diploma .............. 45.6 13.2 41.2 59.6 9.7 30.7 51.9 13.0 35.1

High school graduates, no college 1............. 65.2 10.2 24.6 74.6 6.0 19.5 73.7 8.2 18.1

Some college or associate degree ............ 71.7 8.5 19.8 78.6 4.9 16.6 75.6 7.3 17.1

Bachelor's degree and higher 2................... 79.2 4.3 16.6 81.5 2.2 16.3 81.2 3.5 15.2

Men ............................................................ 70.9 8.4 20.7 83.7 4.6 11.7 76.8 8.0 15.2

Less than a high school diploma .............. 53.6 14.9 31.5 74.5 10.7 14.9 65.8 14.2 20.0

High school graduates, no college 1

............. 67.0 10.6 22.4 84.3 6.8 8.9 77.4 8.5 14.1

Some college or associate degree ............ 73.5 8.1 18.4 85.4 5.0 9.6 77.9 8.1 14.0

Bachelor's degree and higher 2................... 76.8 4.4 18.9 82.8 2.3 14.9 79.4 3.7 16.8

Women ....................................................... 69.2 7.8 23.1 73.2 3.8 23.0 70.8 6.4 22.8

Less than a high school diploma .............. 35.8 11.2 53.0 43.6 8.7 47.7 37.6 11.7 50.7

High school graduates, no college 1

............. 61.9 9.7 28.5 63.0 5.0 32.0 67.3 7.8 24.9

Some college or associate degree ............ 69.4 9.0 21.5 72.6 4.8 22.7 73.2 6.4 20.3

Bachelor's degree and higher 2................... 81.4 4.2 14.4 80.4 2.1 17.5 82.5 3.4 14.1

White, non‐Hispanic ................................... 73.3 6.7 20.1 79.3 3.6 17.1 76.1 6.6 17.3

Less than a high school diploma .............. 51.5 12.3 36.2 62.4 9.1 28.5 55.2 12.4 32.4

High school graduates, no college 1

............. 71.1 8.7 20.2 76.0 5.2 18.8 75.5 7.8 16.7

Some college or associate degree ............ 73.0 6.9 20.1 79.5 4.2 16.3 77.3 6.7 16.0

Bachelor's degree and higher 2................... 80.5 3.5 16.0 81.8 2.1 16.1 82.0 3.3 14.7

Black, non‐Hispanic .................................... 62.5 11.5 26.0 72.2 8.8 19.1 64.1 11.9 24.0

Less than a high school diploma .............. 33.3 16.2 50.5 45.3 15.3 39.5 35.9 17.1 47.0

High school graduates, no college 1

............. 55.3 12.6 32.1 70.1 11.5 18.4 64.4 11.9 23.8

Some college or associate degree ............ 66.7 12.1 21.2 72.9 9.5 17.6 67.6 12.6 19.8

Bachelor's degree and higher 2................... 76.9 6.6 16.5 81.6 3.0 15.5 79.2 4.3 16.5

Hispanic or Latino ....................................... 72.1 7.8 20.1 75.8 4.4 19.7 72.7 6.9 20.4

Less than a high school diploma .............. 49.8 11.2 39.0 62.5 7.1 30.4 57.0 11.1 32.0

High school graduates, no college 1

............. 65.7 9.8 24.6 72.0 6.0 22.0 73.8 7.2 19.0

Some college or associate degree ............ 77.4 6.9 15.7 78.0 4.1 17.9 76.6 5.9 17.5

Bachelor's degree and higher 2................... 78.7 5.8 15.6 80.9 2.3 16.8 80.6 3.4 16.0

Table 7. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 through age 32 in 1998-2017 by partner status, 

educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Percent of total weeks while ages 18 to 32 in 1998‐2017

Single Married Cohabiting

   NOTE:  This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 33 when interviewed in 2017‐18. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of

young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive.

Other race groups, which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample is not sufficiently large to

provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment and partner status are determined during the month of the respondent's 33rd birthday.

Not in labor

force Employed Unemployed Not in labor

force Employed Unemployed Not in labor

force Employed Unemployed

    1  Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential.     2  Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees