It looks like the United States will need millions more in the workforce with a secondary college degree. According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, by 2032, the country will need 5.3 million more workers with postsecondary education.
The U.S. workforce in 2025 is estimated to be approximately 164 million workers, according to recent labor market analyses. However, the demand for skilled workers with postsecondary education is expected to grow significantly over the next decade. This projection reflects both the expansion of knowledge-intensive industries and the retirement of older workers, creating a need for a more educated labor force.
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Between 2025 and 2032, the economy will continue to evolve rapidly, driven by technological advancements, automation, and shifts toward clean energy and healthcare sectors. Many traditional jobs that don’t require postsecondary education are either declining or becoming automated. Meanwhile, jobs requiring associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and other forms of specialized training are expected to grow much faster than average. This trend is reshaping the labor market, placing greater emphasis on education and continuous skill development.
The current workforce composition in 2025 shows that roughly 55% of workers hold some form of postsecondary education, including vocational certificates, associate degrees, or bachelor’s degrees and higher. To meet the projected demand by 2032, this share must increase substantially. Employers and policymakers face the challenge of expanding educational access and ensuring that training programs align with the needs of high-growth sectors like technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.
In addition to expanding access, there will be a strong focus on reskilling and upskilling existing workers to adapt to the changing job market. Investing in lifelong learning and creating pathways for nontraditional students will be essential to bridge the gap. Failure to address this growing demand risks widening skill shortages, limiting economic growth, and increasing inequality.
The U.S. must prioritize building a postsecondary-educated workforce to sustain economic competitiveness and ensure inclusive growth throughout the coming decade.
The growing need for millions more workers with postsecondary education underscores a critical challenge and opportunity for the United States. To remain economically competitive and foster innovation, the country must significantly expand access to higher education and vocational training, while aligning skills development with the demands of emerging industries like technology, healthcare, and clean energy. This shift also highlights the importance of lifelong learning and reskilling to help current workers adapt to rapid changes in the labor market.
Failure to address this gap risks widening inequality and limiting economic growth. By prioritizing education and workforce development, the U.S. can build a more resilient, skilled labor force that supports inclusive growth and long-term prosperity. This requires coordinated efforts from policymakers, employers, and educational institutions to create accessible pathways and ensure all workers are prepared for the future economy.