Table 1.
Educational and Wage Attainments in Young Adulthood (1992–2004) by High School Work Investments (1989 to 1991) and Socioeconomic Origins
| High School Work Investments (1989–91) | BA/BS Degree Receipt by Age 31 | Median Wages | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age 19 | Age 22 | Age 26 | Age 31 | |||
| Total Sample | No Work | 35% | $4.29 | $5.06 | $8.21 | $10.88 |
| Occasional | 33% | $4.40 | $5.67 | $9.07 | $11.85 | |
| Sporadic | 14% | $4.62 | $5.87 | $8.72 | $10.79 | |
| Steady | 46% | $4.58 | $5.78 | $9.25 | $12.69 | |
| Most Invested | 17% | $4.84 | $6.28 | $9.17 | $11.47 | |
| By Socioeconomic Origins | ||||||
| No Work | 14% | $5.15 | $5.27 | $8.14 | $10.00 | |
| Occasional | 13% | $4.40 | $5.48 | $8.25 | $10.15 | |
| Parent(s) Education: High School or Less | Sporadic | 6% | $4.62 | $5.94 | $9.25 | $10.52 |
| Steady | 22% | $4.66 | $5.83 | $8.88 | $11.49 | |
| Most Invested | 10% | $5.05 | $6.89 | $9.11 | $10.95 | |
| No Work | 48% | $4.18 | $5.06 | $8.33 | $10.88 | |
| Parent(s) Education: Some College or More | Occasional | 43% | $4.40 | $5.67 | $9.62 | $12.69 |
| Sporadic | 20% | $4.47 | $5.67 | $8.18 | $12.85 | |
| Steady | 57% | $4.51 | $5.67 | $9.62 | $13.20 | |
| Most Invested | 26% | $4.84 | $5.67 | $9.25 | $12.69 | |