The numbers just dropped, and they tell a story that flips the script on what we’ve been told for years. Workers between 22 and 34 who never got a college degree are finding one of the best job markets in recent history.
A fresh analysis from the Burning Glass Institute, reported by the Wall Street Journal, points to a massive change in how the economy treats different workers. The report shows that the unemployment rate for those without diplomas has rarely been this low in the past two decades.
This is a sharp turn from the past. Even as job seekers lacking degrees enjoy a top-tier period, individuals holding college degrees face one of their poorest times.
The gap is wide and growing. People with advanced degrees or those working in science and technology are facing an even harder time than usual. This divergence in outcomes marks a major shift from the trends the U.S. economy has experienced for years.
WSJ: “Unemployment among younger workers who didn’t go to college has rarely been lower in recent decades. It is the opposite story for college grads … much of it boils down to supply and demand: There aren’t enough skilled tradespeople to go around” pic.twitter.com/ea0eREoA05
— Marc Porter Magee 🎓 (@marcportermagee) September 7, 2026
Why is this happening? It comes down to basic supply and demand. The country simply does not have enough skilled tradespeople to go around as older generations retire and immigration numbers drop.
At the same time, more Americans hold college degrees than ever before. Artificial intelligence is also doing more of the entry-level work that companies used to hire young graduates for. This leaves a lot of new grads with nowhere to go.
Mike Rowe, the television host and skilled-trades advocate, has been preaching this for years. Vice President JD Vance recently gave him a shout-out while launching the Foundry School. This program is designed to train entrepreneurs and technicians to rebuild our manufacturing base.
According to the analysis, the shortage of workers is real. One expert remarked that the supply of people with a bachelor’s degree is expanding quickly while the number of those without it drops rapidly.
The demand for construction is also rising thanks to a data center building spree. Leisure and hospitality added 62,000 jobs in August, which was unexpected after the sector lost jobs in the prior months.
President Trump is delivering for America’s workers. pic.twitter.com/RFtX2t3u0c
— Brendan Carr (@BrendanCarrFCC) September 7, 2026
The jobs numbers come right after a strong report on Friday. The United States added 162,000 jobs in August, which blew past what economists expected. They had only forecast 55,000 new jobs.
The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1 percent, the same as in July. The private sector alone added 127,000 jobs, far more than the 53,000 that was predicted. Manufacturing payrolls also rose by 16,000, beating estimates.
Construction added 22,000 jobs following a solid gain in July. In August, durable goods contributed 15,000 jobs, following a gain of 24,000 during July. These revisions to the June and July numbers accounted for an additional 55,000 jobs total.
For those worried about the future of the degree, the outlook seems permanent. As one observer put it, according to RedState, “I don’t think it’s a temporary thing.”
