This is an annually updating tool that explores which jobs pay enough to live on, and which of those good-paying jobs you can likely get without a four-year Bachelor's degree.
Current Scope: the United States and California, 1976 to today, with plans for additional states and regions to come.
- Good job
- An occupation that pays a full-time worker at least the median household income (in the US or California, for that year). To mirror the high cost of living, we set the bar high on purpose; see more of our rationale on our Methodology page.
- College-optional
- An occupation where 49% or less of workers hold a bachelor's degree. In other words, there's a real chance to enter this job without a four-year degree, though many still call for a certificate or community-college credential.
- Overview — what counts as a good job, and why the bar sits where it does
- Returns to Education — does a degree guarantee a good job?
- Good Jobs — which good jobs don't require a four-year degree
- Race and Gender Inequality — who's over- and under-represented in good jobs?
- Change Over Time — which jobs are growing or shrinking, and for whom
- Job Explorer — look up any occupation's pay, educational requirements, and demographics
- Conclusions and Recommendations — a growing list of what to do about it
- Scope + version (top left): switch between the US and California. Your choice carries across every page.
- Demographic filters: redraw the charts for a group (e.g., race, gender, age).
- Dots and arrows (bottom): move between the seven pages.
- Menu (top right): view our Methodology and definitions page, find additional resources, and learn more about the research team.
The Good Jobs Index is new and still evolving. If something's unclear, looks off, or you wish it did more, tell us! Use the Give Feedback button anytime.
Want the full picture? Open the Methodology from the menu (top right) for the good-job threshold rationale and plain-language definitions of every term.
