Advanced-degree holders made an average of $78,093 in 2004, about $26,500 more than workers with a bachelor's degree did, according to a report by the Census Bureau.
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Individuals with a professional degree made an average of $114,621 in earnings in 2004. Those with a doctoral degree made an average of $93,004. Workers with a master's degree made an average of $66,942.
Workers with a bachelor's degree earned an average of $51,554. Adults with a high school diploma earned an average of $28,645 in 2004, about $9,500 more than those without a diploma, according to the report.
More than one-quarter (28 percent) of adults age 25 years and older had attained at least a bachelor's degree in 2005, according to the report. The District of Columbia had the highest proportion of people 25 years and older with a bachelor's degree or higher (47 percent), followed closely by Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and New Jersey .
In 2005, West Virginia had the lowest proportion of people 25 years and older with a bachelor's degree or higher (15 percent).