Unemployment Hits 23-Year Low for Workers Without College Degrees

A Sharp Turn in the Job Market

Younger workers without college degrees are seeing one of their lowest unemployment rates in 23 years. The Wall Street Journal reported that this trend is driven by a tight labor market for skilled trades. This data comes from a new analysis by the Burning Glass Institute. The numbers show a clear split between those with diplomas and those without.

The report highlights that the unemployment rate for workers ages 22 to 34 without college degrees is rarely lower. This stands in stark contrast to the experience of their college-educated peers. The analysis notes that the market for entry-level college jobs is becoming much harder to navigate. This divergence marks a significant shift from the economic patterns seen in recent years.

The gap comes down to basic supply and demand. There simply are not enough skilled tradespeople to fill the open roles. Older generations are retiring while immigration rates have dropped. Meanwhile, more Americans hold college degrees than ever before in history.

Supply and Demand Drive the Numbers

Artificial intelligence is also taking over many entry-level tasks that companies used to give to young graduates. The report states there is a rapidly growing supply of people with a bachelor’s degree and a rapid decline of people who don’t. This shortage of skilled labor is creating solid salary opportunities for tradespeople.

Vice President JD Vance recently launched the Foundry School to help train more workers. This national workforce program aims to rebuild the manufacturing base. It is designed to create entrepreneurs, engineers, technicians, and industrial leaders. Mike Rowe has long advocated for these lucrative career paths. He believes the trades offer a better financial future for many families.

Crackdowns on immigration help limit the supply of workers. This reduces the competition for those with the right skills. The Boomer generation retirement also adds pressure to the current workforce. These factors combine to push wages up for non-graduates.

Recent Jobs Data Confirms the Trend

These findings follow a strong jobs report released. The United States added 162,000 jobs in August. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1 percent, the same as in July. This number blew past the economists’ forecast of just 55,000 new jobs.

John Carney, Economics and Finance Editor at Breitbart News, reported on the private sector gains. The private sector added 127,000 jobs in August, which was far more than expected. Manufacturing payrolls rose by 16,000, topping the estimate of 5,000. Construction added 22,000 jobs following an 18,000 gain in July.

Leisure and hospitality unexpectedly added 62,000 jobs after contracting in previous months. The data also included revisions to June and July numbers. Those revisions accounted for an additional 55,000 jobs total. The report suggests the trend for skilled workers is here to stay.

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