Are Microcredentials a Path to Good Jobs? Sometimes.

Blog Post
Women working in manufacturing
Photo by PTTI EDU on Unsplash
Dec. 5, 2024

In recent years, there’s been growing enthusiasm for microcredentials as an alternative to traditional college degrees. Media outlets like NPR and The New York Times have spotlighted these shorter and therefore cheaper programs, framing them as pathways to well-paying jobs without the burden of college debt. But are we at risk of overstating their potential?

While it’s true that some certificate holders find decent-paying jobs, the reality is far less clear-cut. The data on jobs available to workers with certificates, certifications, or other microcredentials are limited, and evidence suggests that most of these positions don’t pay as well as those requiring bachelor's or technical associate degrees.

To better understand the current landscape, the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce examined occupations where young workers (ages 18 to 35) with some college but no degree are overrepresented. Since the Census doesn’t have a designation lower than a degree in the American Community Survey, the designation of some college but no degree includes people who received a certificate from a college, participated in college connected apprenticeships, and also people who dropped out of college with no credential earned. While not a perfect measure, what researchers found holds important implications about where microcredentials are–and are not—helping people achieve economic stability.

What the Data Tell Us

Of 255 occupations with an above-average concentration of young workers in this educational category, only 57 met the threshold of $44,500 annually, which was considered a good job. Patterns emerged when researchers grouped these occupations into broader categories:

Construction, Installation, Maintenance, Repair and Protective Services. Many skilled trades jobs in construction (7 out of 10), installation, maintenance, and repair (13 out of 26), and protective services (10 out of 17) made the cut. Jobs like plumbers ($47,474), electricians ($47,271), HVAC technicians ($45,020), police officers ($56,634), and firefighters ($58,994) pay above the threshold. However, lower-paying jobs within these same categories, such as highway maintenance workers ($38,953), locksmiths ($36,576), and security guards ($25,215), fell short of the earnings benchmark.

Transportation. Transportation occupations showed a mix of outcomes. High-paying jobs like air traffic controllers ($55,995) and train engineers ($67,530) contrast sharply with poorly paid roles like taxi drivers ($16,883) and bus drivers ($30,913). Unionization and structured training pathways, particularly apprenticeship, seem to be key factors distinguishing good jobs from low-paying ones.

Technology and Office Work. Despite frequent mentions of “good tech jobs” in conversations about certificate programs, no computer and mathematical occupations (e.g., computer support specialists at $38,953) met the earnings threshold. Most of these jobs likely require at least an associate degree or higher to get hired. Similarly, only three out of 45 office and administrative support roles surpassed the earnings benchmark, two of which were unionized postal service jobs.

Personal Care, Healthcare Support, and Office Work. None of the personal care roles, such as hair stylists ($24,648) or estheticians ($24,761), met the earnings threshold. Healthcare support roles, including licensed practical nurses ($38,267) and surgical technicians ($41,296), also fell short, highlighting low wages despite requiring specialized training.

Gender Disparities in the Labor Market

One striking pattern is the gender divide. The male-dominated fields of construction, skilled trades, and transportation are more likely to offer jobs that meet the earnings threshold. In contrast, female-dominated sectors like healthcare support, personal care, and administrative roles are far less likely to pay a living wage.

The Takeaway

Certificate programs alone are not a guaranteed path to economic stability for workers with some college but no degree. Unionization, clear training pathways like apprenticeship, and deliberate efforts to improve wages and working conditions are critical to creating more good jobs in this labor market segment.

Without such strategies, a college degree likely still offers the most reliable path to economic security, particularly for women. As policymakers and educators continue to promote alternatives to two and four-year degrees, they must ensure that these pathways truly lead to sustainable, equitable opportunities for all workers.