Tech Cities Report

Educated Workforce

• The educational attainment of a population is a major factor in tech markets, as an educated workforce is essential for the success and growth of these companies. • Educated workers are considered to be those who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. • The U.S. labor market is changing over time to demand a more skilled workforce. As workplaces and businesses become increasingly multifaceted and complex, employers need workers who are capable of adapting and excelling in these evolving environments. • As a consequence of an increasing number of job openings requiring advanced education, access to top position jobs is determined largely by college degrees. According to a report from the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University, 8.4 million jobs of the 11.6 million created after the recession (from January 2010 to January 2016) went to individuals with at least a bachelor’s degree. • Almost 31% of the U.S. workforce currently holds a bachelor’s degree or higher. • All of the Top 25 tech cities are above the U.S. average regarding educational attainment (bachelor’s degree or higher). • The top six markets are very close but San Francisco/San Mateo squeaks ahead of the pack.

Total change in employment from January 2010 to January 2016: +11.6 million EDUCATION DRIVES EMPLOYMENT 72.7% of the jobs created from January 2010 to January 2016 went to people with a bachelor’s degree or higher

COMPUTER AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCE OCCUPATIONS ARE GOING TO THE WELL-EDUCATED

ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE 26.6%

104,000 870,000 BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR HIGHER ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE OR HIGHER

GRADUATE DEGREE 32.5%

BACHELOR’S DEGREE 40.2%

Change in employment from December 2007 to January 2016

Source: Center on Education and the Workforce

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