For release 10:00 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, April 2, 2024 USDL-24-0626

Technical information: (202) 691-7410 • nls_info@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/nls

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

LABOR MARKET EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, PARTNER STATUS,

AND HEALTH FOR THOSE BORN 1980-1984

Americans born in the early 1980s held an average of 9.0 jobs from age 18 through age 36, the

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

they held an average of 5.1 jobs from ages 18 to 23 compared with 2.5 jobs from ages 30 to

36. While aged 18 to 36, 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 36 to 42

when interviewed for the 20th time in 2021-22. The survey provides information on work and

non-work experiences, schooling, training, income, assets, health, 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 news release focuses on the employment experiences, educational attainment, training, 

partner status, and health of these individuals from their 18th birthday until they turned 37. 

Highlights from the longitudinal survey among this group include:

• Individuals held an average of 9.0 jobs from ages 18 through 36, with over half of these jobs

being held between the ages of 18 and 23. (See table 1.)

• Among individuals who started jobs while ages 18 to 24, the average individual had 61

percent of their jobs end in less than a year, compared with an average of 34 percent among

those who started jobs while ages 25 to 36. 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 36, the average individual had 46 percent 

of their jobs end in less than a year, compared with 27 percent among those with a bachelor’s

degree and higher. (See table 2.)

• Women with less than a high school diploma were employed an average of 41 percent of

weeks from ages 18 to 36, while men with less than a high school diploma were employed 65 

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

employed an average of 82 percent of weeks and men were employed an average of 84 
-2-

percent of weeks. (See table 3.)

• Individuals were employed for an average of 76 percent of weeks from ages 18 to 36. This

varied across age brackets: from ages 18 to 23 individuals were employed 70 percent of

weeks, from ages 24 to 29 individuals were employed 78 percent of weeks, and from ages 30

to 36 individuals were employed 79 percent of weeks. (See table 4.)

• At their 27th birthday, 33 percent of women had received a bachelor’s degree and higher,

compared with 25 percent of men. By their 37th birthday, 40 percent of women held a

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

women had at least attended some college by age 37, compared with 66 percent of men. (See

table 5.)

• By their 37th birthday, 64 percent of individuals had received training outside of their 

regular schooling that offers academic diplomas or degrees. Participation in training

programs varied by education level: 42 percent of those with less than a high school 

education, 59 percent of high school graduates with no college, 70 percent of those with 

some college or associate degree, and 65 percent of those with a bachelor’s degree and 

higher. (See table 6.)

• At the time of their 37th birthday, 53 percent of individuals were married, 16 percent were

cohabiting, and 31 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 7.)

• Men who were single at age 37 were employed 71 percent of the weeks from ages 18 to 36,

compared with 85 percent for those who were married at age 37 and 79 percent for those 

who were cohabiting. The percentage of weeks employed varied less by partner status for 

women; women who were single at age 37 were employed 70 percent of the weeks from 

ages 18 to 36, compared with 73 percent for those who were married and 72 percent for

those who were cohabiting. (See table 8.)

• The percent of individuals reporting that their health limits the kind or amount of work they 

can do increased as they aged. At 27 years of age, 7 percent of individuals reported that their 

health limits the kind or amount of work they can do, while at 37 years of age, 9 percent 

were limited. (See table 9.)

Employment Experiences from Age 18 through Age 36

Americans born in 1980-84 held an average of 9.0 jobs from ages 18 through 36, with over half

of these jobs held from ages 18 to 23. Men held an average of 8.9 jobs and women held an

average of 9.1 jobs. Women at higher levels of educational attainment held more jobs than

women at lower levels. Women with a bachelor’s degree held 9.5 jobs from ages 18 through 36,

compared with 7.4 jobs for female high school dropouts. Men held a similar number of jobs

regardless of their level of educational attainment. (See table 1.) A job is defined as a period of
-3-

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 5.1 jobs in the 6-year period from

ages 18 to 23. The number of jobs individuals held dropped to 3.3 jobs in the 6-year period from

ages 24 to 29, and then dropped further to 2.5 jobs in the 7-year period from ages 30 to 36. The

pattern of individuals holding fewer jobs as they aged was similar across groupings by sex, race

and ethnicity, and level of educational attainment. The diminishing slope in Chart 1 shows the

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

Duration of Employment Relationships

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

worker began the job. Of the jobs begun between ages 18 to 24, the average worker had 61

percent of jobs end in less than a year and 95 percent of jobs end in less than 6 years. Among

jobs begun when 25 to 36 years old, the average worker had 34 percent of jobs end in less than a

year and 70 percent end in less than 6 years.

Job duration is also related to education. Seventy percent of the jobs the average high school

dropout started while aged 18 to 24 ended within a year, compared with 59 percent of jobs 

started at those ages by the average individual with a bachelor’s degree. (See table 2.)

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

36 years of age, the average individual had 46 percent of these jobs end in less than a year and 80

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

degree who started jobs at those ages, 27 percent of the jobs ended in under 1 year and only 65

percent ended in less than 6 years.

0

2

4

6

8

10

18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36

Number of Jobs Held

Age

Chart 1. Cumulative number of jobs held from age 18 through 

age 36 in 1998-2021 by sex and age

Men

Women
-4- 

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

On average, individuals born in 1980-84 were employed during 76 percent of all the weeks from

age 18 through age 36, unemployed—that is, without a job but seeking work—5 percent of the

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

weeks. (See table 3.) 

As a group, 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 36. As a group, they 

spent less time not in the labor force than women (15 percent compared with 23 percent) and 

more time employed (80 percent compared with 72 percent). This pattern is also seen at each 

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

bachelor's degree and higher spent only slightly more weeks employed as similarly educated

women (84 percent and 82 percent, respectively). (See table 3.) 

Employment gaps existed between racial and ethnic groups. On average, White individuals were

employedduring 78 percent of the weeks that occurred from age 18 through age 36, Hispanic or 

Latino individuals were employed during 75 percent of the weeks, and Black individuals were 

employed during 68 percent of the weeks.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

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 employed from age 18 to age 36 

in 1998-2021 by educational attainment, race, and Hispanic 

or Latino ethnicity

White non-Hispanic Black non-Hispanic Hispanic or Latino
-5- 

The employment gap between White and Black individuals is more pronounced at lower levels 

of educational attainment. White high school dropouts spent 58 percent of weeks employed from

ages 18 through 36, while Black dropouts spent 41 percent of weeks employed during these ages. 

White and Black college graduates spent a similar percentage of weeks employed (83 percent 

compared with 82 percent). (See chart 2.) 

The employment gap between Hispanic or Latino and Black individuals is also more pronounced 

at lower levels of educational attainment but does not exist among those with a bachelor’s degree 

and higher. Hispanic or Latino dropouts spent 61 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 

through 36, while Black dropouts spent 41 percent of weeks employed during these ages. 

Hispanic or Latino and Black college graduates both spent 82 percent of weeks employed from

ages 18 through 36. 

Individuals spent 70 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 to 23, 78 percent of weeks 

employed from ages 24 to 29, and 79 percent of weeks employed from ages 30 to 36. Men spent 

71 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 to 23; this increased to 82 percent of weeks from

ages 24 to 29 and then increased to 85 percent from ages 30 to 36. Women spent 69 percent of 

weeks employed from ages 18 to 23; this increased to 74 percent of weeks from ages 24 to 29 

and ages 30 to 36. Men were employed a higher percentage of weeks than women within all age 

brackets. (See table 4.) 

As individuals aged, they generally spent less time out of the labor force. Men spent 23 percent 

of weeks not in the labor force from 18 to 23 years of age, and 11 percent of weeks out of the

labor force from ages 24 to 29 and ages 30 to 36. Women spent 26 percent of weeks out of the 

labor force from ages 18 to 23, 20 percent of weeks out of the labor force at ages 24 to 29, and 

23 percent of weeks out of the labor force at ages 30 to 36. At ages 30 to 36, women were about 

twice as likely as men to not be in the labor force. (See chart 3.) 

Employment gaps between racial and ethnic groups also existed within each age bracket

analyzed. Within each age bracket, White workers were employed a higher percentage of weeks 

than both Black and Hispanic or Latino workers, and Hispanic or Latino workers were employed 

a higher percentage of weeks than Black workers.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Age 18 to 23 Age 24 to 29 Age 30 to 36

Percent of weeks

Chart 3. Percent of weeks not in the labor force from age 18 to 

age 36 in 1998-2021 by sex and age

Men Women
-6-

Educational Attainment at Age 37

At 37 years of age, 34 percent of individuals had received a bachelor’s degree while 37 percent 

had attended some college or received an associate degree without earning a bachelor’s degree. 

Twenty-three percent had a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) 

credential and no further schooling. (See table 5.)

Women were more likely than men to have received a bachelor’s degree by age 27, and this gap

continued to be seen at age 37. Twenty-five percent of men had earned a bachelor’s degree by 

age 27, compared with 33 percent of women. By 37 years of age, 30 percent of men had earned a

bachelor’s degree, compared to 40 percent of women. In total, 66 percent of men had either

attended some college or received a bachelor’s degree, compared with 76 percent of women. In

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

college degree. 

At age 37, there were large differences in educational attainment among racial and ethnic groups. 

Black and Hispanic or Latino individuals were more likely than White individuals to have 

dropped out of high school. In comparison, White individuals were more likely to have ever 

attended college (73 percent of White individuals, compared to 64 percent of Black individuals 

and 62 percent of Hispanic or Latino individuals) and nearly twice as likely to have received a

bachelor's degree by this age. Thirty-eight percent of White individuals had received a bachelor's 

degree at age 37, compared with 21 percent of both Black and Hispanic or Latino individuals.

Within each racial and ethnic group examined at age 37, 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 (44 percent compared with 35 percent), Black women were more likely than

Black men (29 percent compared with 16 percent), and Hispanic or Latino women were more

likely than Hispanic or Latino men (25 percent compared with 19 percent) to have received a

bachelor’s degree.

Training Received by Age 37

By 37 years of age, 64 percent of individuals had received training outside of any regular 

schooling that offers academic diplomas or degrees. Training programs may make it easier to 

find a job, improve job skills, or learn a new job, and include vocational, technical, or trade, 

apprenticeship, school based, formal employer training, training at work by outsider, training 

outside of work, government, or other training. (See table 6.) (See the Technical Note for 

additional information on training compared with regular school.)
-7-

Men were more likely than women to have participated in an apprenticeship program (5 percent 

compared with 1 percent) or government training program (11 percent compared with 4 percent) 

by age 36, while men were less likely to have received school-based training than women (11 

percent compared with 16 percent). (See chart 4.)

Training was more common for people in their 20’s compared with their 30’s (38 percent 

compared with 24 percent). Those with higher levels of educational attainment were more likely 

to have received any type of training. By their 37th birthday, 42 percent of high school dropouts, 

59 percent of high school graduates with no college, 70 percent of individuals with some college 

or an associate degree, and 65 percent of college graduates had received some type of training.

Partner Status and Employment Experiences

At 27 years of age, 34 percent of Americans born during 1980-84 were married, 21 percent were

cohabiting (unmarried and living with a partner), and 45 percent were single (not married and not

living with a partner). Comparatively, at 37 years of age, 53 percent were married, 16 percent

were cohabiting, and 31 percent were single. (See table 7.)

At age 37, 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 37th birthday, 34

percent of high school dropouts, 42 percent of high school graduates with no college, 51 percent

of individuals with some college or an associate degree, and 66 percent of college graduates were

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

compared with only 11 percent of those with a bachelor’s degree and higher. (See chart 5.)
-8-

Partner status varied greatly by race and ethnicity. Black individuals were more likely to be 

single than either White or Hispanic or Latino individuals. At 37 years of age, 54 percent of 

Black individuals were single, compared with 26 percent of White individuals and 34 percent of

Hispanic or Latino individuals. Black individuals were significantly less likely to be married than 

either White individuals or Hispanic or Latino individuals (33 percent compared with 59 percent 

and 48 percent, respectively).

At both ages 27 and 37, women were more likely to be married and less likely to be single than 

men. By their 37th birthday, 55 percent of women were married, 30 percent were single, and 15 

percent were cohabiting, while 51 percent of men were married, 33 percent were single, and 17

percent were cohabiting. 

Compared with individuals who were single at age 37, those who were married or cohabiting 

worked more weeks from ages 18 to 36, spent fewer weeks unemployed, and spent fewer weeks 

not in the labor force. From ages 18 to 36, single individuals spent 71 percent of weeks 

employed, 8 percent of weeks unemployed, and 21 percent of weeks not in the labor force, while 

those who were married spent 79 percent of weeks employed, 4 percent of weeks unemployed, 

and 17 percent of weeks not in the labor force. Cohabiting individuals spent 75 percent of weeks

employed, 6 percent of weeks unemployed, and 18 percent of weeks not in the labor force. (See

table 8.)
-9-

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

married at age 37 worked more weeks, were unemployed fewer weeks, and were less likely to be 

not in the labor force than either single or cohabiting men during ages 18 to 36. Men married at 

age 37 spent 85 percent of weeks employed, compared with 71 percent for single men and 79

percent for cohabiting men. They spent 4 percent of weeks unemployed, compared with 8

percent for single men and 7 percent for cohabiting men. Married men spent 11 percent of weeks

out of the labor force, compared with 20 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. Women who were married at age 37 were employed a slightly higher percentage 

of weeks than non-married women (73 percent compared with 70 percent for single women and 

72 percent for cohabiting women) during ages 18 to 36 and were unemployed a lower percentage 

of weeks than either single or cohabiting women (4 percent compared with 7 percent and 6 

percent, respectively). (See chart 6.)

Married individuals also spent a higher percentage of weeks employed than single individuals 

within racial and ethnic groups. Among the White population, married individuals spent 80

percent of weeks employed compared with 74 percent of weeks for single individuals. Among 

the Black population, married individuals spent 73 percent of weeks employed compared with

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Hispanic or Latino

Black non-Hispanic

White non-Hispanic

Women

Men

Total

Hispanic or Latino

Black non-Hispanic

White non-Hispanic

Women

Men

Total

Hispanic or Latino

Black non-Hispanic

White non-Hispanic

Women

Men

Total

Single Married Cohabiting

Chart 6. Percent of total weeks individuals were employed, 

unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 through age 

36 in 1998-2021

Employed Unemployed Not in labor foce
-10-

64 percent of weeks for single individuals. Among the Hispanic or Latino population, married 

individuals spent 78 percent of weeks employed compared with 71 percent of weeks for single 

individuals.

Health Limits and Work

Individuals in this cohort report whether their health limits the kind or amount of work they can 

do; the percentage of individuals reporting such limitations increased as they aged. At 27 years 

of age, 7 percent of Americans born during 1980-84 were limited in the kind or amount of work 

they can do; at 37 years of age, 9 percent were limited. (See table 9.)

At ages 27 and 37, those with lower levels of education were generally more likely to be limited 

in the kind or amount of work they can do than those with higher levels of education. By their 

37th birthday, 23 percent of high school dropouts, 12 percent of high school graduates with no 

college, 10 percent of individuals with some college or an associate degree, and 5 percent of 

college graduates were limited in the kind or amount of work they can do. (See chart 7.)

Women were more likely than men to report that health limits the kind or amount of work they 

can do. At 27 years of age, 7 percent of women and 6 percent of men were limited in the kind or 

amount of work they can do; at 37 years of age, 11 percent of women and 7 percent of men were 

limited in the kind or amount of work they can do.
Technical Note

The estimates in this news release were obtained

using data from the first 20 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. in 1997 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 the 2021-2022 survey round, 

6713 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

news release. This news release examines the period from

respondents’ 18th birthday until their 37th birthday. All 

results are weighted using the 2021-2022 survey weights 

that correct for the oversampling, interview nonresponse, 

and permanent attrition from the survey. Prior NLSY97 

news releases used weights based on the survey round a 

respondent turned a particular age. 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 from1980

to 1984 and moved to the U.S. after 1997. NLSY97 

sample membersremain 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 keeps track of all the jobs they

ever held. The NLSY97 tracksthe number of jobs that

people have held, but the respondents in this survey 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 by a

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’slabor 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

orshe 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 thisinherent link between the

calendar years and the ages of the respondents. The 

youngest respondents in the sample (birth year 1984)

turned 37 during calendar year 2021, whereas the oldest 

respondents (birth year 1980) turned 37 during calendar

year 2017. 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’ 37th 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 self- employed proprietors of their own businesses, as

unpaid workersin 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.

Training compared with regular school. Regular 

school is one that offers an academic diploma or degree, 

e.g., high school, college, graduate school, law school, or 

nursing program leading to an RN degree. Not included as 

regular school are training at a technical institute, license 

trade programs, etc. unless the credits obtained are 

transferable to a regular school and could count toward an 

academic diploma or degree.

Partner Status. Partner status is determined during

the month the individual turned 37. 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 news release, the

findings are reported for non-Hispanic Whites, nonHispanic 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 White individuals, Black 

individuals, and Hispanic or Latino individuals, but these

groups are not mutually exclusive. The term Hispanic or

Latino is considered to be an ethnicity group, and 

Hispanic or Latino individuals can be of any race. Most

other BLS publications include estimates for Hispanic or 

Latino individuals in the White and Black race groups in

addition to the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity group.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech 

disability, please dial 7-1-1 telecommunications relay 

services.
Total 2 Ages 18 

to 23

Ages 24

to 29

Ages 30

to 36

Total, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021.................. 9.0 5.1 3.3 2.5

 Less than a high school diploma .................. 8.2 4.5 2.8 2.3

 High school graduates, no college 3

 ............... 9.0 5.1 3.2 2.5

 Some college or associate degree ............... 9.2 5.1 3.2 2.9

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4

 ..................... 9.1 5.2 3.4 2.6

Men ........................................................... 8.9 5.0 3.3 2.6

 Less than a high school diploma .................. 8.8 5.0 3.1 2.4

 High school graduates, no college 3

 ............... 9.0 5.1 3.3 2.6

 Some college or associate degree ............... 9.0 5.0 3.2 2.9

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4

 ..................... 8.6 4.8 3.3 2.6

Women ..................................................... 9.1 5.3 3.2 2.5

 Less than a high school diploma .................. 7.4 3.9 2.5 2.0

 High school graduates, no college 3

 ............... 9.0 5.1 3.1 2.4

 Some college or associate degree ............... 9.3 5.2 3.1 2.8

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4

 ..................... 9.5 5.6 3.5 2.6

White, non-Hispanic....................................... 9.2 5.3 3.3 2.5

 Less than a high school diploma .................. 9.0 5.1 3.0 2.4

 High school graduates, no college 3

 ............... 9.2 5.3 3.2 2.5

 Some college or associate degree ............... 9.3 5.2 3.2 2.9

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4

 ..................... 9.2 5.4 3.5 2.5

Black, non-Hispanic ..................................... 8.8 4.7 3.2 2.6

 Less than a high school diploma .................. 6.6 3.5 2.4 1.9

 High school graduates, no college 3

 ............... 9.0 4.8 3.3 2.5

 Some college or associate degree ............... 9.7 5.1 3.4 3.0

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4

 ..................... 9.0 4.8 3.4 2.8

Hispanic or Latino.......................................... 8.3 4.6 3.1 2.4

 Less than a high school diploma .................. 8.0 4.2 3.0 2.3

 High school graduates, no college 3

 ............... 8.0 4.5 3.0 2.3

 Some college or associate degree ............... 8.8 5.0 3.2 2.6

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4

 ..................... 8.8 4.7 3.3 2.7

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

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 37 when interviewed in 2021-2022. 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 37th birthday.

Table 1. Number of jobs held by individuals from age 18 through age 36 in 1998-2021 by educational 

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

Characteristic

Average number of jobs for people ages 18 to 36 in 1998-20211

 1 Time span includes up to the month before the respondent's 37th 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............... 61.2 79.0 86.9 94.8 96.4 96.4

Men .......................................................... 60.8 78.3 86.3 93.8 95.5 95.5

Women .................................................... 61.6 79.7 87.6 95.7 97.3 97.3

White, non-Hispanic ................................ 60.5 78.2 86.4 94.4 96.3 96.3

Black, non-Hispanic ................................. 66.7 83.4 90.0 96.2 97.2 97.2

Hispanic or Latino .................................... 58.7 77.4 85.7 94.6 96.1 96.1

Less than a high school diploma ............. 69.5 84.5 89.7 94.8 96.8 96.8

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 62.2 78.8 86.1 94.4 96.2 96.2

Some college or associate degree .......... 57.3 76.1 85.0 95.6 96.9 96.9

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ................ 59.3 79.0 88.1 95.1 96.5 96.5

Total, ages 25 to 36 in 2005-2021............... 33.5 49.8 59.1 70.4 76.2 76.2

Men .......................................................... 31.9 47.7 56.8 68.5 74.2 74.2

Women .................................................... 35.1 51.9 61.5 72.4 78.2 78.2

White, non-Hispanic ................................ 32.6 48.6 57.8 69.0 75.0 75.0

Black, non-Hispanic ................................. 37.3 54.5 64.8 76.1 80.5 80.5

Hispanic or Latino .................................... 33.6 49.8 59.3 71.0 76.8 76.8

Less than a high school diploma ............. 45.7 62.6 71.2 80.0 85.0 85.0

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 36.8 53.3 62.3 73.2 78.6 78.6

Some college or associate degree .......... 30.8 48.4 58.7 69.9 75.3 75.3

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ................ 27.3 42.9 52.4 65.0 71.4 71.4

 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 37 when interviewed in 2021-2022. 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 37th birthday.

Characteristic

Table 2. Duration of employment relationship with a single employer for individuals who started jobs from age 18 

through age 36 in 1998-2021 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 2021 

survey
Total, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 .................. 75.9 5.4 18.7

Less than a high school diploma ..................... 54.5 10.4 35.1

High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 73.4 6.9 19.7

Some college or associate degree ................. 79.8 4.5 15.8

Bachelor's degree and higher2 ...................... 82.5 2.6 14.8

Men ......................................................... 79.5 6.0 14.6

Less than a high school diploma .................... 65.4 11.5 23.2

High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 78.0 7.3 14.7

Some college or associate degree ................. 85.1 4.3 10.5

Bachelor's degree and higher2 ...................... 83.8 2.6 13.5

Women ..................................... 72.2 4.9 22.9

Less than a high school diploma ................... 41.0 9.1 49.8

High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 67.3 6.4 26.3

Some college or associate degree ................. 75.3 4.6 20.1

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

White, non-Hispanic ....................................... 78.0 4.4 17.6

Less than a high school diploma ..................... 57.8 9.3 32.9

High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 75.7 5.8 18.6

Some college or associate degree ................. 80.4 3.9 15.6

Bachelor's degree and higher2 ...................... 83.0 2.3 14.8

Black, non-Hispanic ....................................... 67.6 9.9 22.5

Less than a high school diploma ................... 41.0 15.0 44.1

High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 65.7 11.3 23.1

Some college or associate degree ................. 75.3 7.9 16.7

Bachelor's degree and higher2 ...................... 81.9 4.7 13.4

Hispanic or Latino ......................................... 74.9 5.8 19.3

Less than a high school diploma ..................... 61.0 8.6 30.4

High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 74.1 6.3 19.6

Some college or associate degree ................ 79.6 4.4 16.0

Bachelor's degree and higher2 ...................... 81.9 3.4 14.7

NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 37 when interviewed in 2021-2022. 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 37th birthday.

Table 3. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 

through age 36 in 1998-2021 by educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Characteristic

Percent of total weeks while ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021

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 36 in 1998-2021...................................... 75.9 5.4 18.7

 Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ............................................ 69.8 6.1 24.1

 Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014........................................ 78.2 6.2 15.6

 Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ............................................ 79.2 4.4 16.5

Men, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021....................................... 79.5 6.0 14.6

 Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ............................................ 70.9 6.6 22.5

 Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014........................................ 82.0 6.9 11.1

 Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ............................................ 84.6 4.8 10.6

Women, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021................................. 72.2 4.9 22.9

 Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ............................................ 68.6 5.5 25.8

 Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014........................................ 74.2 5.5 20.3

 Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ............................................ 73.5 4.0 22.6

White, non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 ........... 78.0 4.4 17.6

 Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ............................................ 72.8 4.8 22.4

 Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014........................................ 80.3 5.2 14.5

 Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ............................................ 80.5 3.5 16.0

Black, non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021.............. 59.0 10.9 30.1

 Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ............................................ 58.7 10.9 30.4

 Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014........................................ 69.7 10.9 19.5

 Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ............................................ 73.3 8.3 18.4

Hispanic or Latino, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 ............... 74.9 5.8 19.3

 Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ............................................ 69.2 6.7 24.1

 Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014........................................ 77.1 6.5 16.4

 Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ............................................ 77.9 4.6 17.5

NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 37 when interviewed in 2021-22. 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 4. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 

through age 36 in 1998-2021 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

High 

school 

diploma

General 

Educational 

Development 

(GED) 

recipients

Total Some 

college

Bachelor's 

degree and 

higher 1

Total, age 27 in 2007-2011 ......... 8.5 25.1 17.7 7.4 66.4 37.9 28.5

White, non-Hispanic .................. 6.8 23.9 17.5 6.4 69.4 36.2 33.2

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 12.2 30.3 18.1 12.1 57.5 42.2 15.4

Hispanic or Latino .................. 13.5 29.1 21.6 7.4 57.5 42.3 15.1

Men ....................................... 9.2 29.0 20.3 8.7 61.8 37.3 24.5

White, non-Hispanic .................. 7.1 27.5 20.3 7.1 65.4 36.2 29.2

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 14.3 36.8 20.2 16.6 48.9 38.4 10.5

Hispanic or Latino .................. 14.4 32.5 23.5 8.9 53.3 41.0 12.2

Women ................................... 7.7 21.0 15.0 5.9 71.3 38.5 32.8

White, non-Hispanic .................. 6.4 20.1 14.5 5.5 73.5 36.1 37.4

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 10.0 23.5 15.9 7.5 66.5 46.0 20.5

Hispanic or Latino .................. 12.5 25.2 19.5 5.7 62.3 43.9 18.5

Total, age 37 in 2017-2021.......... 6.3 22.9 7.8 15.1 70.6 36.8 33.8

White, non-Hispanic .................. 5.3 21.5 6.3 15.2 72.9 34.6 38.3

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 8.8 27.0 12.6 14.4 63.7 42.7 21.0

Hispanic or Latino .................. 10.0 28.2 9.5 18.8 61.6 40.9 20.8

Men ....................................... 6.8 27.4 9.8 17.6 65.8 35.8 30.0

White, non-Hispanic .................. 5.6 25.6 7.6 18.0 68.9 34.3 34.5

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 10.3 34.2 17.7 16.5 55.3 39.6 15.8

Hispanic or Latino .................. 10.7 31.3 11.4 20.0 58.1 39.5 18.6

Women ................................... 5.7 18.2 5.7 12.5 76.1 36.6 39.5

White, non-Hispanic .................. 4.9 17.2 5.0 12.2 77.9 33.8 44.1

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 7.2 19.5 7.4 12.2 73.3 44.8 28.5

Hispanic or Latino .................. 9.3 24.6 7.2 17.4 66.1 41.1 25.0

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 27th or 37th birthday.

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

Table 5. Educational attainment of individuals at ages 27 and 37 in 2007-2021 by sex, race, and Hispanic or 

Latino ethnicity 

 Characteristic

Highest Grade Completed

High 

school 

dropouts

High School Graduates College
Any 

Training

Vocational, 

technical, or 

trade

Apprenticeship School Based Employer Training

Training 

at Work 

by 

Outsider

T

O

Total, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021................................................................ 63.8 25.4 3.3 13.2 28.1 10.9  Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ...................................................................... 38.2 12.8 1.8 5.8 14.1 3.1  Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014........................................................... 37.7 10.8 1.2 4.8 15.6 5.8 

 Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ...................................................................... 23.5 6.8 0.5 4.1 6.1 3.4 Men, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021................................................................. 63.5 27.0 5.2 10.5 28.3 10.5  Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ...................................................................... 38.8 13.0 2.8 5.0 13.8 2.6 

 Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014........................................................... 37.8 11.7 1.8 3.8 15.7 5.7 

 Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ...................................................................... 24.4 8.8 0.9 2.7 6.7 3.3 Women, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021........................................................... 64.2 23.7 1.2 16.1 27.9 11.3  Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ...................................................................... 37.6 12.6 0.6 6.6 14.3 3.6  Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014........................................................... 37.6 9.9 0.5 5.8 15.5 5.8  Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ...................................................................... 22.5 4.6 0.1 5.5 5.6 3.5 White, non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 ..................................... 63.0 23.3 3.4 11.8 29.9 11.9  Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ...................................................................... 37.4 11.6 1.9 4.8 15.2 3.5  Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014........................................................... 37.2 9.8 1.2 4.1 16.5 6.3  Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ...................................................................... 23.7 6.5 0.5 4.0 6.5 3.7 Black, non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021........................................ 65.7 31.6 2.4 18.3 21.8 8.0  Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ...................................................................... 41.4 16.4 1.1 9.8 10.0 1.8  Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014........................................................... 39.4 13.8 1.0 7.3 12.1 4.2  Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ...................................................................... 21.9 7.4 0.4 3.4 4.6 2.7 Hispanic or Latino, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 ......................................... 63.5 28.8 3.5 13.6 25.6 9.2  Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ...................................................................... 38.5 15.0 1.7 6.7 12.3 2.9  Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014........................................................... 37.7 12.8 1.2 5.0 14.2 5.2  Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ...................................................................... 22.1 6.4 0.9 3.8 5.8 2.5 Less than a high school diploma, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021.................... 42.2 15.9 0.7 16.1 9.6 3.2  Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ...................................................................... 24.4 8.3 0.3 9.3 4.6 0.9  Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014........................................................... 20.7 6.3 0.1 5.9 4.7 1.1 Table 6. Percent of individuals who received any training from age 18 through age 36 in 1997-2021 by types of training, educational attainment, ethnicity, and age

Characteristic

Types of training

See footnotes at end of table.
Any 

Training

Vocational, 

technical, or 

trade

Apprenticeship School Based Employer Training

Training 

at Work 

by 

Outsider

T

O

 Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ...................................................................... 12.5 4.3 0.3 2.5 2.3 1.5  High school graduates, no college 1, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021............ 59.4 31.3 4.9 11.4 20.8 5.4 

 Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ...................................................................... 39.0 18.3 2.5 7.5 10.6 1.5  Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014........................................................... 28.7 12.6 1.4 2.9 9.4 2.7 

 Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ...................................................................... 17.2 6.2 1.0 2.6 4.5 1.5 Some college or associate degree, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021................. 69.6 31.6 3.8 14.5 29.9 11.4  Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ...................................................................... 45.4 16.4 2.0 6.7 16.2 3.8  Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014........................................................... 41.1 13.2 1.7 5.0 15.8 5.7  Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ...................................................................... 26.1 8.5 0.6 4.2 6.4 3.2  Bachelor's degree and higher 2, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021.................. 64.5 16.8 2.0 12.5 34.5 15.4 

 Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ...................................................................... 32.6 6.2 1.3 3.1 15.8 3.9  Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014........................................................... 43.1 8.0 0.7 5.5 21.4 8.7 

 Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ...................................................................... 26.9 5.8 0.2 5.2 7.7 5.1 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 37 when interviewed in 2021-2022. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 conwho were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groupoverall totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample is not sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. determined during the month of the respondent's 37th birthday. Table 6. Percent of individuals who received any training from age 18 through age 36 in 1997-2021 by types of training, educational attainment, ethnicity, and age -- continued

Characteristic

Types of training

 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 .......................................................... 45.2 33.8 21.0 31.4 52.8 15.8

Less than a high school diploma ................ 43.1 29.0 27.9 40.5 33.9 25.6

High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 42.3 33.5 24.3 38.0 42.1 19.9

Some college or associate degree ............. 45.4 34.8 19.8 33.5 50.6 15.9

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 .................. 48.1 34.3 17.6 23.1 65.7 11.2

Men ................................................................ 51.4 28.6 20.0 32.6 50.6 16.8

Less than a high school diploma ................ 48.8 25.0 26.2 41.2 35.7 23.1

High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 47.4 28.6 24.0 38.6 40.4 21.1

Some college or associate degree ............. 51.6 29.7 18.7 34.8 49.3 15.9

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 .................. 56.7 28.2 15.0 22.4 64.9 12.7

Women .......................................................... 38.7 39.3 22.0 30.1 55.2 14.7

Less than a high school diploma ................ 36.1 34.0 30.0 39.6 31.7 28.7

High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 34.7 40.6 24.7 37.2 44.8 18.0

Some college or associate degree ............. 39.2 39.9 20.9 32.2 51.9 16.0

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 .................. 41.3 39.1 19.6 23.5 66.4 10.1

White, non-Hispanic ...................................... 40.5 38.3 21.2 25.5 58.9 15.6

Less than a high school diploma ................ 37.2 37.1 25.7 35.3 36.1 28.6

High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 36.6 37.7 25.7 31.2 47.9 21.0

Some college or associate degree ............. 40.3 39.1 20.6 27.7 56.6 15.6

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 .................. 44.3 38.0 17.7 19.1 70.0 10.9

Black, non-Hispanic ....................................... 63.2 18.4 18.4 53.6 32.6 13.8

Less than a high school diploma ................ 63.7 12.3 24.1 60.3 29.3 10.4

High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 60.9 17.0 22.2 59.0 23.4 17.6

Some college or associate degree ............. 64.7 20.3 15.1 53.5 32.7 13.8

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 .................. 63.5 20.8 15.6 44.7 44.9 10.4

Hispanic or Latino .......................................... 43.1 34.1 22.8 33.9 47.5 18.6

Less than a high school diploma ................ 36.2 27.0 36.8 35.0 33.3 31.6

High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 41.8 37.2 21.0 38.6 43.6 17.7

Some college or associate degree ............. 43.6 35.0 21.4 33.6 46.8 19.5

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 .................. 50.0 32.1 17.9 27.5 60.5 12.0

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 37 when interviewed in 2021-2022. 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 27th or 37th birthday.

Table 7. Partner status at age 27 and age 37 by educational attainment, sex, race and Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity

Characteristic

Percent of individuals

 age 27 in 2007-2011 age 37 in 2017-2021

Single Married Cohabiting Single Married
Characteristic

Total, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021............... 70.9 7.8 21.3 79.0 3.8 17.2 75.4 6.2 18.3

Less than a high school diploma ............. 47.6 11.7 40.7 60.9 9.3 29.9 57.2 9.9 32.9

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 68.4 9.3 22.3 76.7 5.0 18.2 74.6 7.1 18.3

Some college or associate degree .......... 79.0 5.6 15.4 80.2 3.7 16.1 79.7 4.9 15.4

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ................ 81.3 4.0 14.7 82.8 2.1 15.2 83.7 3.1 13.2

Men ............................................................ 71.4 8.4 20.2 84.9 4.1 11.0 78.6 6.8 14.6

Less than a high school diploma ............. 52.9 12.6 34.5 75.7 9.8 14.5 71.6 12.0 16.4

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 69.9 9.6 20.5 84.9 5.4 9.7 77.6 7.4 14.9

Some college or associate degree .......... 81.8 5.4 12.8 87.7 3.6 8.7 83.8 4.6 11.6

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ................ 79.6 4.2 16.2 85.5 1.9 12.6 82.6 3.6 13.7

Women ....................................................... 70.3 7.2 22.6 73.3 3.5 23.2 71.6 5.5 22.8

Less than a high school diploma ............. 41.2 10.6 48.2 39.6 8.5 51.9 42.3 7.7 50.0

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 66.3 8.9 24.8 66.9 4.6 28.5 70.2 6.6 23.2

Some college or associate degree .......... 76.3 5.8 18.0 74.6 3.9 21.6 76.4 5.2 18.4

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ................ 82.6 3.8 13.5 80.6 2.2 17.2 84.8 2.7 12.6

White, non-Hispanic ................................... 73.8 6.3 19.8 80.0 3.3 16.8 77.5 5.5 16.9

Less than a high school diploma ............. 51.1 9.8 39.1 65.0 8.7 26.3 57.0 9.4 33.7

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 71.5 7.8 20.7 77.5 4.4 18.2 77.3 6.3 16.4

Some college or associate degree .......... 79.0 4.8 16.2 81.0 3.4 15.6 80.9 4.3 14.8

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ................ 82.2 3.2 14.6 83.0 1.9 15.1 84.4 2.9 12.7

Black, non-Hispanic .................................... 64.2 10.9 24.9 73.2 8.0 18.8 68.0 10.6 21.5

Less than a high school diploma ............. 37.6 15.0 47.4 43.8 13.0 43.2 53.4 19.4 27.2

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 62.8 12.0 25.2 71.3 10.0 18.7 65.6 10.9 23.5

Some college or associate degree .......... 77.0 7.8 15.2 75.1 7.1 17.9 70.2 10.4 19.3

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ................ 79.7 5.9 14.4 83.8 3.3 12.9 83.0 5.3 11.7

Hispanic or Latino ....................................... 71.3 8.0 20.7 77.8 4.1 18.1 74.0 6.0 20.0

Less than a high school diploma ............. 58.8 10.6 30.7 62.4 8.0 29.6 62.1 7.0 30.8

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 70.0 8.6 21.3 77.1 4.4 18.5 74.7 6.4 18.9

Some college or associate degree .......... 80.3 5.0 14.7 79.9 4.1 16.0 77.3 4.1 18.7

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ................ 78.8 5.7 15.5 82.8 2.3 14.9 84.0 3.8 12.2

NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 37 when interviewed in 2021-2022. 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 37th 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.

Table 8. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 through age 36 in 1998-2021 by partner status, 

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

Percent of total weeks while ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021

Single Married Cohabiting
Age 27 (in 2007-2012) 3 Age 37 (in 2017*

-2022) 

Total............................................................... 6.6 9.1

 Less than a high school diploma ................. 20.2 22.6

 High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 8.8 11.8

 Some college or associate degree .............. 6.6 9.7

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 .................. 2.8 4.5

Men ............................................................... 5.8 7.1

 Less than a high school diploma ................. 13.6 14.3

 High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 8.0 8.5

 Some college or associate degree .............. 5.6 8.3

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 .................. 2.5 3.0

Women .......................................................... 7.4 11.1

 Less than a high school diploma ................. 28.2 31.9

 High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 10.1 16.7

 Some college or associate degree .............. 7.6 11.1

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 .................. 3.0 5.7

White non-Hispanic ....................................... 6.5 8.8

 Less than a high school diploma ................. 21.9 25.4

 High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 7.9 11.9

 Some college or associate degree .............. 7.3 9.6

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 .................. 2.9 4.6

Black non-Hispanic ....................................... 8.0 11.5

 Less than a high school diploma ................. 21.7 24.5

 High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 10.5 12.3

 Some college or associate degree .............. 6.1 12.4

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 .................. 3.5 4.1

Hispanic or Latino ......................................... 6.3 7.3

 Less than a high school diploma ................. 13.1 11.9

 High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 9.7 11.8

 Some college or associate degree .............. 4.2 5.1

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 .................. 2.6 3.7

NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 37 when interviewed in 2021-

22. 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 37th birthday. *

Health limit is determined for the interview 

date in which the respondent first turned age 27 or age 37. If not interviewed at that age, then 

health limit is determined using data from the prior age.

 3 In 2007, the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 began asking respondents whether 

health limits the kind or amount of work they can do.

Table 9. Percent of individuals whose health limits the kind or amount of work they can 

do by age, educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Characteristic

Percent of individuals

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

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

Development (GED)) credential.