For release 10:00 a.m. (EDT) Friday, April 8, 2016 USDL-16-0700 

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

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

LABOR MARKET ACTIVITY, EDUCATION, AND PARTNER STATUS AMONG AMERICA'S 

YOUNG ADULTS AT 29: RESULTS FROM A LONGITUDINAL SURVEY

Young adults born in the early 1980s held an average of 7.2 jobs from age 18 through age 28, the U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Individuals held more jobs at younger ages, and the number 

of jobs held declined as individuals aged. Young adults held an average of 3.9 jobs from ages 18 to 21 

compared with 2.5 jobs from ages 25 to 28. From ages 18 to 28, 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 young 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 28 to 34 when interviewed for 

the 16th time in 2013-14. The survey provides information on work and nonwork 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 29. 

Highlights from the longitudinal survey data: 

• By 29 years of age, 34 percent of women had received a bachelor’s degree, compared with 26 

percent of men. Seventy-two percent of women had attended college compared with 63 percent 

of men. (See table 1.) 

• Young adults held an average of 7.2 jobs from ages 18 through 28, with over half of these jobs 

being held between the ages of 18 and 21. (See table 2.) 

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

from ages 18 to 28, while men with less than a high school diploma were employed 63 percent of 

weeks. Among young adults with a bachelor’s degree and higher, women were employed an 

average of 79 percent of weeks, while men were employed 75 percent of weeks. (See table 3.) 

• Young adults were employed for an average of 74 percent of weeks from ages 18 to 28. This 

varied across age brackets: individuals were employed 67 percent of weeks from ages 18 to 21, 
- 2 - 

77 percent of weeks from ages 22 to 24, and 78 percent of weeks from ages 25 to 28. (See

table 4.) 

• Almost 50 percent of jobs held by high school dropouts from ages 18 to 28 were held for less 

than 6 months. For those with a bachelor’s degree and higher, 34 percent of jobs were held for 

less than 6 months. (See table 5.) 

• At the time of their 29th birthday, 40 percent of young adults were married, 20 percent were 

cohabiting, and 40 percent were single. The percent of young adults living with a partner did not 

vary by education, though 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 29 were employed 70 percent of the weeks from ages 18 to 28, 

compared with 83 percent for those who were married and 76 percent for those who were 

cohabiting. The percentage of weeks employed did not vary substantially by partner status for 

women. (See table 7.) 

Educational Attainment at Age 29 

At 29 years of age, 30 percent of individuals had received a bachelor’s degree, while 38 percent had 

attended some college or received an associate degree. Twenty-four percent of 29 year-olds 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 29. Thirty-four percent 

of women had earned a bachelor’s degree, compared with 26 percent of men. In total, 72 percent of 

women had either attended some college or received a bachelor’s degree, compared with 63 percent of 

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

college degree. Of the 72 percent of women who started college, 47 percent received a bachelor's degree 

by age 29. In comparison, of the 63 percent of men who started college, 41 percent had received a 

bachelor's degree. (See chart 1.)

Within each racial and ethnic group examined, 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 (39 

percent versus 31 percent), Black women were more likely than Black men (21 percent versus 12 

percent), and Hispanic women were more likely than Hispanic men (20 percent versus 14 percent). 

At age 29, there was a large difference in educational attainment among racial and ethnic groups. NonHispanic Blacks and Hispanics were more likely than Whites to have dropped out of high school. In 

comparison, Whites were more than twice as likely as Blacks or Hispanics to have received a bachelor's 

degree by this age. Thirty-five percent of Whites had received a bachelor's degree at age 29, compared 

with 17 percent of both Blacks and Hispanics. Among those who had attended college, Whites were 

more likely than Blacks or Hispanics to have received a bachelor's degree. Just over one-quarter of 

Blacks and Hispanics who had attended college had received a bachelor's degree by age 29, compared 

with one-half of Whites.

Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics achieved similar educational attainment levels by age 29. Among 

both groups, 29 percent were high school graduates who had not attended any college, though the two 
- 3 - 

groups achieved this result in different ways. Sixty percent of Black high school graduates who did not 

attend college received a high school diploma and 40 percent completed a GED; among Hispanics of 

similar educational attainment, 71 percent received a high school diploma and 29 percent received a 

GED.

Employment Experiences of Young Adults from Age 18 through Age 28 

Young adults held an average of 7.2 jobs from the ages of 18 through 28 in 1998-2013. Men held an 

average of 7.1 jobs and women held an average of 7.3 jobs during this time. Women at higher levels of 

educational attainment held more jobs than women at lower levels. Women with a bachelor’s degree 

held 8.0 jobs from ages 18 through 28, compared with 5.6 jobs for female high school dropouts. Men 

held a similar number of jobs regardless of their level of educational attainment. Men with a bachelor’s 

degree held 7.0 jobs from ages 18 through 28, compared to 6.9 jobs for male high school dropouts. (See 

table 2 and chart 2.) In this news release, 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 3.9 jobs in the 4-year period from ages 18 to 21. 

The number of jobs individuals held dropped to 2.7 in the 3-year period from ages 22 to 24, and then 

dropped further to 2.5 in the 4-year period from ages 25 to 28. The pattern of individuals holding fewer 

jobs as they aged was similar for most sex, racial, and ethnic groups and levels of educational 

attainment.

On average, young adults were employed during 74 percent of the weeks occurring from age 18 through 

age 28, 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–20 percent of the weeks. (See table 3.) 

Men Women White, nonHispanicBlack, nonHispanicHispanic or Latino

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Percent

Chart 1. Percent of individuals who attended some college or 

received a bachelor's degree by age 29 by sex, race, and 

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Bachelor's degree and higher Some college or associate degree
- 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 generally decreased with an individual’s 

level of educational attainment. 

From ages 18 to 28, men spent less time not in the labor force than women (17 percent versus 23 

percent) and more time employed (76 percent versus 71 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 a larger proportion of weeks employed than did similarly educated men (79 percent 

versus 75 percent) and less time not in the labor force (18 percent versus 22 percent). The percentage of 

weeks worked increased for women with each higher level of educational attainment, while men with a 

bachelor’s degree actually spent fewer weeks employed than men with some college or an associate 

degree (75 percent versus 79 percent). (See chart 3.)

Statistically significant employment gaps existed between racial and ethnic groups. On average, Whites 

were employed during 76 percent of the weeks that occurred from age 18 through age 28, Hispanics 

were employed during 73 percent of the weeks, and Blacks were employed during 63 percent of the 

weeks. (See chart 4.) 

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

attainment. White high school dropouts spent 57 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 through 28, 

while Black dropouts spent 39 percent of weeks employed during these ages. The gap is smaller among 

those who held a bachelor's degree; however, the difference in the percentage of weeks employed is still 

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

spent 75 percent of weeks employed. 

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

education. Hispanic dropouts spent 59 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 through 28, while Black 

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

Men Women

Number of Jobs

Chart 2. Number of jobs held between ages 18 and 28 by sex 

and educational attainment

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

 Some college or associate degree Bachelor's degree and higher
- 5 - 

dropouts spent 39 percent of weeks employed during these ages. Hispanic and Black college graduates 

spent a similar percentage of weeks employed (76 percent versus 75 percent). The employment gap

between Whites and Hispanics is insignificant among high school dropouts (57 percent versus 59 

percent) and those with some college or an associate degree (78 percent versus 77 percent). 

Young adults spent 67 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 to 21, 77 percent of weeks from ages 22 

to 24, and 78 percent of weeks from ages 25 to 28. Men spent a higher percentage of weeks employed in 

each subsequent age bracket, but this was not the case for women. Men spent 67 percent of weeks 

employed from ages 18 to 21; this increased to 79 percent of weeks from ages 22 to 24 and increased 

further to 81 percent from ages 25 to 28. Women spent 66 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 to 

21; this increased to 74 percent of weeks from ages 22 to 24 but remained at 74 percent from ages 25 to 

28. Men were employed for a significantly higher percentage of weeks than women during age brackets 

22 to 24 and 25 to 28. (See table 4.) 

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

During ages 18 to 21, 22 to 24, and 25 to 28, Whites were employed during a higher percentage of 

weeks than Hispanics, who were employed during a higher percentage of weeks than Blacks. 

As these young adults aged, they spent increasingly less time out of the labor force. Young adults spent 

27 percent of weeks not in the labor force from ages 18 to 21, 18 percent of weeks from ages 22 to 24, 

and 16 percent of weeks from ages 25 to 28. This trend was apparent across almost all sex, racial, and 

ethnic groups examined.

Duration of Employment Relationships 

Most jobs held through age 28 were of relatively short duration. Of all the jobs held by 18- to 28-yearold workers, 37 percent ended in less than 6 months; 18 percent ended in 6 months or more, but less than 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Men Women

Percent

Chart 3. Percent of weeks individuals were employed from age 

18 through age 28 by sex and educational attainment

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

 Some college or associate degree Bachelor's degree and higher
- 6 - 

1 year; 16 percent ended in 1 year or more, but less than 2 years; 15 percent lasted 2 years or more; and 

another 15 percent of jobs were ongoing at the individual’s 29th birthday. (See table 5.)

Jobs held by high school dropouts were more likely to end in less than 6 months than jobs held by 

individuals with higher levels of educational attainment. Jobs held by high school graduates or 

individuals with some college were also more likely to end in less than 6 months than jobs held by 

individuals with a bachelor’s degree and higher. In particular, female high school dropouts held jobs for 

the shortest duration, with 52 percent of jobs ending in less than 6 months. 

Partner Status and Employment Experiences

At 29 years of age, 40 percent of young adults were married, 20 percent were cohabiting—unmarried 

and living with a partner, and 40 percent were single—not married and not living with a partner. (See 

table 6.) 

The percentage of young adults who were single did not vary significantly across educational attainment 

levels (ranging between 39 and 40 percent for all education groups). 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 29th birthday, 34 percent of high school dropouts, 37 percent of high 

school graduates, 40 percent of individuals with some college or an associate degree, and 45 percent of 

college graduates were married. (See chart 5.)

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

Whites or Hispanics. At 29 years of age, 60 percent of Blacks were single, compared with 34 percent of 

Whites and 39 percent of Hispanics. Blacks were also significantly less likely to be married than either 

Whites or Hispanics (22 percent versus 46 percent and 39 percent, respectively).

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

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

Percent

Chart 4. Percent of weeks individuals were employed from age 

18 through age 28 by educational attainment, race, and 

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

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

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

At age 29, women were significantly more likely to be married and less likely to be single than men. 

Forty-five percent of women were married and 35 percent were single, while 36 percent of men were 

married and 44 percent were single. Women were also generally more likely to be married than men at 

each level of educational attainment. 

Compared with young adults who were single at age 29, young adults who were married worked more 

weeks from ages 18 to 28, spent fewer weeks unemployed, and spent fewer weeks not in the labor force. 

From ages 18 to 28, single young adults 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 77 

percent of weeks employed, 5 percent of weeks unemployed, and 19 percent of weeks not in the labor 

force. Cohabiting young adults spent 73 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 83 percent of weeks employed, compared with

70 percent for single men and 76 percent for cohabiting men. In contrast, there were limited differences 

in the employment experiences of women by partner status. Married women were slightly more likely to 

be employed than single women (73 percent versus 70 percent) and were less likely to be unemployed 

than either single or cohabiting women (4 percent versus 7 percent). (See chart 6.) 

Married individuals also worked more weeks than single individuals when comparing within racial and 

ethnic groups. Married Whites spent a higher percentage of weeks employed than single Whites (78 

percent versus 74 percent), married Blacks spent a higher percentage of weeks employed than single 

Blacks (69 percent versus 61 percent), and married Hispanics spent a higher percentage of weeks 

employed than single Hispanics (75 percent versus 70 percent). 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

 Less than a high

school diploma

 High school

graduates, no

college

 Some college or

associate degree

 Bachelor's degree

and higher

Percent

Chart 5. Partner status of young adults at age 29 by educational 

attainment

Single Married Cohabiting
- 8 - 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Men Women White, nonHispanicBlack, nonHispanicHispanic or Latino

Percent

Chart 6. Percent of weeks individuals were employed from age 

18 through age 28 by sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and 

partner status 

Single Cohabiting Married
Technical Note

The estimates in this release were obtained using data 

from the first 16 rounds of the National Longitudinal Survey 

of Youth 1997 (NLSY97). The NLSY97 collects extensive 

information on labor market behavior and educational 

experiences. Information about respondents’ families and 

communities also is obtained in the survey.

This survey is conducted by the National Opinion 

Research Center at the University of Chicago and the Center 

for Human Resource Research at The Ohio State University, 

under the direction and sponsorship of the Bureau of Labor 

Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Partial funding 

support for the survey has been provided by the Office of 

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the U.S. 

Department of Justice, the Office of Vocational and Adult 

Education of the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. 

Department of Defense, the National Institute of Child Health 

and Human Development of the U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services, and the National Science Foundation. 

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. 

The sixteenth round of interviews took place between 

November 2013 and July 2014. This release examines the 

period from respondents’ 18th birthday until their 29th birthday. 

All results are weighted using the survey weights from the 

round in the year the respondents turned 29. The survey 

weights correct for oversampling of some demographic groups 

and nonresponse. 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 estimates require 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 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’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 29 during calendar year 2013, 

whereas the oldest respondents (birth year 1980) turned 29 

during calendar year 2009. Some respondents may not be used 

in all tables if information about their work history is 

incomplete. 

Definitions

Educational attainment. Educational attainment is taken 

at the time of the respondents’ 29th 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.

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 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. 

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

employer. Jobs are therefore employer-based, not positionbased. 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 self-employed workers, each “new” 

job is defined by the individuals themselves.

Partner Status. Partner status is determined during the 

month the individual turned 29. Respondents who are married 

but not living with their spouses are counted as married. To be 

marked as cohabiting, 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 

cohabiting 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. “Hispanic or Latino” is considered to be an ethnic 

group, and people in that group 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 ethnic 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.
(Percent distribution)

Total High school 

diploma Total Some college

Bachelor's 

degree and 

higher 1

Total ................................... 24.4 17.0 67.7 37.7 30.0

White, non-Hispanic ............ 23.4 16.9 70.0 35.3 34.7

Black, non-Hispanic ............ 28.6 17.2 60.0 43.5 16.6

Hispanic or Latino ............... 28.9 20.4 59.3 42.5 16.9

Men .................................... 28.0 19.1 63.1 37.2 25.9

White, non-Hispanic ............ 26.9 19.6 66.0 35.5 30.5

Black, non-Hispanic ............ 35.5 19.2 50.7 38.5 12.2

Hispanic or Latino ............... 31.3 21.2 55.9 41.8 14.1

Women ............................. 20.6 14.8 72.4 38.2 34.2

White, non-Hispanic ............ 19.8 14.2 74.2 35.1 39.1

Black, non-Hispanic ............ 21.6 15.1 69.4 48.4 21.0

Hispanic or Latino ............... 26.3 19.6 63.3 43.2 20.1

11.4

10.8

6.4

7.7

12.6

13.0

6.9

8.5

10.0

8.5

6.0

6.8

16.2

7.3

8.9

8.5

11.4

 1

 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees, such as law or medical 

degrees.

 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 29th birthday.

Table 1. Highest grade completed by young adults at age 29 in 2009-13 by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity 

 Characteristic

Educational Attainment

High school 

dropouts

High School Graduates College

General 

Educational 

Development 

(GED) 

recipients

6.4

7.4

6.7

6.5

5.6

5.8

10.1
Ages 18 

to 21

Ages 22 

to 24

Ages 25 

to 28

Total, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013........... 7.2 3.9 2.7 2.5

 Less than a high school diploma ............ 6.3 3.4 2.2 2.2

 High school graduates, no college 3 ...... 6.8 3.7 2.4 2.3

 Some college or associate degree ......... 7.4 4.1 2.7 2.5

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4

 ............ 7.5 3.9 3.1 2.7

Men ................................................... 7.1 3.7 2.7 2.5

 Less than a high school diploma ............ 6.9 3.8 2.5 2.4

 High school graduates, no college 3 ...... 7.1 3.7 2.6 2.4

 Some college or associate degree ......... 7.2 3.9 2.6 2.5

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4

 ............ 7.0 3.5 2.9 2.6

Women ............................................. 7.3 4.0 2.7 2.5

 Less than a high school diploma ............ 5.6 2.9 1.9 1.9

 High school graduates, no college 3 ...... 6.4 3.6 2.1 2.1

 Some college or associate degree ......... 7.6 4.3 2.7 2.5

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4

 ............ 8.0 4.2 3.2 2.7

White, non-Hispanic .............................. 7.5 4.1 2.8 2.5

 Less than a high school diploma ............ 7.0 4.0 2.4 2.3

 High school graduates, no college 3 ...... 7.0 3.9 2.4 2.3

 Some college or associate degree ......... 7.6 4.2 2.7 2.5

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4

 ............ 7.7 4.1 3.2 2.7

Black, non-Hispanic .............................. 6.8 3.5 2.6 2.4

 Less than a high school diploma ............ 5.0 2.5 1.9 1.7

 High school graduates, no college 3 ...... 6.4 3.2 2.2 2.2

 Some college or associate degree ......... 7.4 3.8 2.7 2.6

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4

 ............ 7.1 3.5 2.9 2.6

Hispanic or Latino .............................. 6.5 3.5 2.4 2.4

 Less than a high school diploma ............ 6.2 3.2 2.2 2.4

 High school graduates, no college 3 ...... 6.4 3.5 2.2 2.3

 Some college or associate degree ......... 6.7 3.7 2.5 2.3

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4

 ............ 6.6 3.3 2.7 2.5

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 29 when interviewed in 2013-14. 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 29th birthday.

Table 2. Number of jobs held by individuals from age 18 through age 28 in 1998-2013 by educational 

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

Characteristic

Average number of jobs for persons ages 18 to 28 in 1998-20131

Total 2

 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 persons with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) 

credential.

 4 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees, such as law or 

medical degrees.

 1 Time span includes up to the month before the respondent's 29th birthday.
Total, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013.................................... 73.5 6.3 20.2

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 53.2 12.4 34.4

 High school graduates, no college 1 ........................... 70.9 8.4 20.6

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 76.0 6.4 17.6

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 77.6 3.0 19.4

Men .................................................................................. 75.6 7.0 17.4

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 62.7 13.6 23.8

 High school graduates, no college 1 ........................... 75.2 9.2 15.6

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 79.1 6.6 14.3

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 75.3 3.1 21.5

Women ............................................................................ 71.3 5.6 23.1

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 41.0 11.0 48.1

 High school graduates, no college 1 ........................... 65.0 7.3 27.7

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 72.8 6.2 21.0

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 79.3 2.9 17.7

White, non-Hispanic ........................................................ 76.2 5.2 18.6

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 57.2 12.0 30.8

 High school graduates, no college 1 ........................... 75.1 7.0 17.8

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 77.9 5.3 16.8

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 78.7 2.7 18.7

Black, non-Hispanic ......................................................... 63.4 10.9 25.6

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 38.9 16.7 44.4

 High school graduates, no college 1 ........................... 58.6 12.7 28.6

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 68.4 10.7 20.9

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 74.6 4.8 20.6

Hispanic or Latino ............................................................ 72.6 6.7 20.7

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 59.1 9.5 31.4

 High school graduates, no college 1 ........................... 69.4 8.5 22.1

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 77.3 5.7 17.0

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 75.6 4.1 20.4

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 29 when interviewed in 2013-14. 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 29th birthday.

 2 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees, such as law or 

medical degrees.

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

credential.

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

age 18 through age 28 in 1998-2013 by educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity

Characteristic

Employed Not in labor force

Percent of total weeks while ages 18 to 28

 in 1998-2013

Unemployed
Total, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013 .............................. 73.5 6.3 20.2

 Ages 18 to 21 in 1998-2006 .................................... 66.7 6.5 26.8

 Ages 22 to 24 in 2002-2009 .................................... 76.7 5.8 17.5

 Ages 25 to 28 in 2005-2013 .................................... 77.8 6.7 15.5

Men, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013 ............................... 75.6 7.0 17.4

 Ages 18 to 21 in 1998-2006 .................................... 67.1 7.2 25.6

 Ages 22 to 24 in 2002-2009 .................................... 79.2 6.2 14.6

 Ages 25 to 28 in 2005-2013 .................................... 81.3 7.5 11.2

Women, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013 ........................ 71.3 5.6 23.1

 Ages 18 to 21 in 1998-2006 .................................... 66.2 5.8 28.0

 Ages 22 to 24 in 2002-2009 .................................... 74.2 5.3 20.5

 Ages 25 to 28 in 2005-2013 .................................... 74.2 5.8 20.0

White non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013 ......... 76.2 5.2 18.6

 Ages 18 to 21 in 1998-2006 .................................... 70.1 5.2 24.6

 Ages 22 to 24 in 2002-2009 .................................... 79.1 4.9 16.0

 Ages 25 to 28 in 2005-2013 .................................... 80.1 5.5 14.4

Black non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013 ............ 63.4 10.9 25.6

 Ages 18 to 21 in 1998-2006 .................................... 55.2 11.3 33.6

 Ages 22 to 24 in 2002-2009 .................................... 67.4 9.8 22.9

 Ages 25 to 28 in 2005-2013 .................................... 68.8 11.7 19.5

Hispanic or Latino, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013 ............ 72.6 6.7 20.7

 Ages 18 to 21 in 1998-2006 .................................... 65.5 7.5 27.1

 Ages 22 to 24 in 2002-2009 .................................... 76.4 5.6 18.1

 Ages 25 to 28 in 2005-2013 .................................... 77.0 6.6 16.4

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 29 when interviewed in 2013-14. 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 28 in 1998-2013 by age, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Age and characteristic

Percent of total weeks

Employed Unemployed Not in labor force
Less than 6 

months

6 months or 

more, but less 

than 1 year

 1 year or 

more, but less 

than 2 years

2 years or 

more

Ongoing at 

age 29

Total, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013................................... 37.1 17.5 15.7 14.6 15.1

 Less than a high school diploma .................................. 46.7 17.1 14.1 10.4 11.6

 High school graduates, no college 1

 ............................ 37.8 17.6 15.3 14.5 14.9

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 37.3 18.0 15.8 14.1 14.7

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 33.8 16.9 16.4 16.4 16.5

Men ................................................................................ 36.6 17.3 15.4 14.3 16.4

 Less than a high school diploma .................................. 43.1 17.2 15.1 11.1 13.5

 High school graduates, no college 1

 ............................ 37.4 17.4 14.9 14.6 15.8

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 35.6 18.3 15.8 13.8 16.5

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 35.1 15.8 15.5 15.7 17.9

Women ........................................................................... 37.5 17.7 16.1 15.0 13.7

 Less than a high school diploma .................................. 51.5 17.1 12.7 9.5 9.2

 High school graduates, no college 1

 ............................ 38.4 17.9 15.8 14.3 13.6

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 38.9 17.8 15.9 14.5 13.0

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 32.8 17.8 17.1 16.9 15.5

White, non-Hispanic ....................................................... 36.6 17.7 15.6 15.0 15.2

 Less than a high school diploma .................................. 47.2 17.4 13.8 10.5 11.0

 High school graduates, no college 1

 ............................ 36.4 17.8 15.0 15.0 15.8

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 37.2 18.2 15.6 14.4 14.6

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 34.3 17.1 16.2 16.3 16.1

Black, non-Hispanic ........................................................ 40.7 17.7 15.4 12.5 13.7

 Less than a high school diploma .................................. 50.7 17.3 12.5 9.0 10.4

 High school graduates, no college 1

 ............................ 42.5 17.7 15.8 12.1 11.9

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 39.7 18.0 15.8 12.0 14.5

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 33.9 17.0 15.9 16.5 16.7

Hispanic or Latino ........................................................... 34.9 16.9 16.6 15.6 16.1

 Less than a high school diploma .................................. 41.5 16.4 15.8 11.2 15.2

 High school graduates, no college 1

 ............................ 36.2 16.6 15.8 16.3 15.1

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 35.0 17.3 16.8 15.3 15.6

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 28.1 16.8 17.7 17.8 19.6

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 29 when interviewed in 2013-14. 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 29th birthday.

Table 5. Duration of employment relationship with a single employer for all jobs started from age 18 through age 28 in 1998-

2013 by educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

 2 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees, such as law or medical degrees.

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

Characteristic

Percent distribution of duration of employment relationships
Total ......................................................................... 39.8 40.1 20.1

Less than a high school diploma ...................................... 39.4 34.0 26.6

High school graduates, no college 1

 .............................. 39.3 36.5 24.2

Some college or associate degree ................................... 40.4 39.9 19.7

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 .................................... 39.5 44.7 15.7

Men ...................................................................................... 44.1 35.6 20.3

Less than a high school diploma ...................................... 40.6 31.4 28.0

High school graduates, no college 1

 .............................. 42.7 33.7 23.6

Some college or associate degree ................................... 45.4 35.2 19.4

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 .................................... 44.8 39.7 15.6

Women ................................................................................ 35.4 44.7 19.9

Less than a high school diploma ...................................... 37.8 37.4 24.8

High school graduates, no college 1

 .............................. 34.5 40.4 25.1

Some college or associate degree ................................... 35.4 44.7 20.0

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 .................................... 35.5 48.6 15.9

White, non-Hispanic ............................................................ 34.4 45.5 20.1

Less than a high school diploma ...................................... 32.6 39.8 27.6

High school graduates, no college 1

 .............................. 33.4 40.7 25.8

Some college or associate degree ................................... 34.1 46.0 19.8

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 .................................... 35.5 49.3 15.2

Black, non-Hispanic ............................................................. 60.3 21.8 17.9

Less than a high school diploma ...................................... 57.0 20.4 22.6

High school graduates, no college 1

 .............................. 62.2 19.0 18.8

Some college or associate degree ................................... 60.6 21.4 18.0

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 .................................... 58.6 28.7 12.8

Hispanic or Latino ................................................................ 38.7 39.2 22.2

Less than a high school diploma ...................................... 35.2 34.5 30.3

High school graduates, no college 1

 .............................. 35.2 40.1 24.7

Some college or associate degree ................................... 41.1 39.4 19.6

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 .................................... 40.9 40.1 19.0

 2 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees, such as 

law or medical degrees.

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

credential.

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 29 when interviewed in 2013-14. 

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 29th birthday. 

Partner status is determined during the month of the respondent's 29th birthday.

Table 6. Partner status at age 29 by educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity

Percent of population

Single Married Cohabiting Characteristic
Characteristic

Total, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013.............. 70.0 7.7 22.4 77.0 4.5 18.5 73.4 7.4 19.3

Less than a high school diploma ............. 47.8 13.0 39.2 55.8 11.0 33.2 57.8 13.4 28.8

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 65.1 10.4 24.4 76.2 6.3 17.5 72.4 8.4 19.2

Some college or associate degree .......... 73.3 8.0 18.6 78.9 4.2 16.9 75.3 7.5 17.2

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ............... 75.2 3.6 21.2 79.4 2.4 18.1 78.4 3.2 18.4

Men ........................................................... 70.0 8.2 21.8 82.5 5.0 12.5 75.6 8.1 16.3

Less than a high school diploma ............. 53.8 13.8 32.4 70.7 11.7 17.7 66.5 15.4 18.1

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 66.6 11.3 22.2 85.2 6.8 7.9 76.3 8.8 14.8

Some college or associate degree .......... 74.4 7.9 17.7 85.6 4.3 10.1 78.4 7.7 13.9

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ............... 72.1 3.6 24.3 79.1 2.5 18.4 74.8 3.5 21.7

Women ...................................................... 69.9 7.1 23.1 72.5 4.1 23.4 71.1 6.6 22.4

Less than a high school diploma ............. 39.4 12.0 48.5 39.7 10.2 50.1 45.1 10.4 44.5

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 62.7 8.9 28.4 65.7 5.6 28.7 67.1 7.9 25.0

Some college or associate degree .......... 72.0 8.2 19.8 73.7 4.1 22.2 72.3 7.3 20.4

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ............... 78.1 3.6 18.2 79.6 2.4 18.0 81.1 3.1 15.8

White, non-Hispanic .................................. 73.7 6.3 20.0 78.3 3.9 17.8 75.6 6.5 17.8

Less than a high school diploma ............. 53.6 11.8 34.5 56.3 11.7 32.0 62.8 12.5 24.6

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 71.6 8.9 19.5 78.2 5.2 16.6 74.8 7.5 17.7

Some college or associate degree .......... 75.4 6.8 17.8 80.3 3.5 16.2 76.7 7.0 16.3

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ............... 76.7 3.2 20.1 79.8 2.3 17.9 79.4 2.8 17.8

Black, non-Hispanic ................................... 61.4 11.4 27.2 69.1 9.0 21.9 63.6 11.8 24.7

Less than a high school diploma ............. 36.9 16.9 46.3 44.0 13.9 42.1 39.3 19.0 41.8

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 53.7 13.1 33.2 68.1 12.2 19.7 65.3 12.0 22.7

Some college or associate degree .......... 67.9 11.1 21.0 71.2 8.6 20.1 67.0 11.5 21.4

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ............... 73.1 5.5 21.3 77.7 3.9 18.4 74.3 3.9 21.8

Hispanic or Latino ...................................... 70.4 7.6 22.0 75.0 5.3 19.7 72.4 7.3 20.3

Less than a high school diploma ............. 54.4 10.7 34.9 61.6 7.0 31.4 61.9 11.0 27.1

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 64.5 9.9 25.7 73.3 7.4 19.4 70.3 8.2 21.5

Some college or associate degree .......... 77.3 6.6 16.1 77.8 4.4 17.8 76.1 6.2 17.6

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ............... 71.1 4.9 24.0 78.7 3.0 18.3 78.5 4.3 17.1

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 29 when interviewed in 2013-14. 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 29th birthday. Partner status is determined during 

the month of the respondent's 29th birthday.

Unemployed Not in labor 

force

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

Not in labor 

force Employed Employed Not in labor force Unemployed Unemployed Employed

 2 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees, such as law or medical degrees.

Table 7. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 through age 28 in 1998-2013 by partner status, 

sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Percent of total weeks ages 18 through 28 in 1998-2013

Single Married Cohabiting