Unemployment Rate by Education Level
In 1992, the BLS began tracking unemployment rates by education level. Highlighted below are the unemployment rates for the following four groups classified by education attained: 1. Less than a high school diploma 2. A high school diploma but no college 3. Some college or an Associate degree 4. Bachelor's degree or higher. All groups consist of individuals 25 years old or higher.
| Education Level Achieved | May 2013 | Month/Month (Points) |
Year/Year (Points) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than High School |
11.1% | -0.5 | -1.9 |
| High School Grad No College |
7.4% | 0.0 | -0.8 |
| Some College or Associate Degree |
6.5% | +0.1 | -1.3 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher |
3.8% | -0.1 | -0.1 |
Unemployment Rate: Some HS, HS Grad, Some College, Bachelor's or Higher
Note: Recessions shown in gray
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity
The unemployment rate by race time series goes back to 1954. With the exception of the Asian time series, all of the rates shown here are seasonally adjusted. Hispanics may be of any race.
| Race/Ethnicity | May 2013 | Month/Month (Points) |
Year/Year (Points) |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 6.7% | 0.0 | -0.7 |
| Black or African American |
13.5% | +0.3 | -0.1 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 9.1% | +0.1 | -1.9 |
| Asian | 4.3% | -0.8 | -0.9 |
Unemployment Rate: White, Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian
Unemployment Rate by Age
The unemployment age time series begins in 1948. Recent history has shown greater employment stability as age increases.
| Age Range | May 2013 | Month/Month (Points) |
Year/Year (Points) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 7.2% | -0.2 | -1.0 |
| 35-44 | 6.2% | +0.4 | -0.6 |
| 45-54 | 5.9% | 0.0 | -0.4 |
| 55+ | 5.3% | -0.2 | -1.2 |
Unemployment Rate: 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55+
Unemployment Rate by Gender
The unemployment rate time series for men and women also begins in 1948. Traditionally, women have had greater employment stability than men during economic downturns.
| Sex | May 2013 | Month/Month (Points) |
Year/Year (Points) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 7.9% | +0.2 | -0.5 |
| Female | 7.1% | -0.2 | -0.8 |
Unemployment Rate: Male, Female