Montana Ranks Among Top States Where a High School Diploma Pays Off

The value of an education can be measured. There are a lot of metrics that can show how much more money people can make over their lifetimes with the help of education. 

When talking about getting an education after high school, it doesn’t always mean you have to continue cracking the books or going to class. University and college degrees cost more and more these days.  

Not everyone chooses a postsecondary education. Trade schools have continued to be more and more popular.  

The rock band Metallica has donated money to community colleges and trade schools in every state, including Montana.  

Why Trade Schools and High School Diplomas Matter

For me, college wasn’t in the cards. I ended up going to a trade school. The one thing that I did do was get my high school diploma. Here in Montana for those that do get their high school diploma it pays off much more down the road than other states.  

READ MORE: The Results Are In: Montanans are More Educated Than Others

According to the United Way, using the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bureau of Economic Analysis they identified the states where having a high-school diploma is most beneficial, and Montana is towards the top.  

The United Way has Montana ranked as the sixth best state for people who have a high school diploma. They looked at median annual wages, the cost of living index, and an adjusted annual median wage to arrive at these figures.  

United Way Ranks Montana 6th in Nation

Montana’s adjusted annual median wage is $49,623.  

READ MORE: Need Extra Income: 7 Quick Side Hustles for Montanans

North Dakota tops the list with an annual median wage of $54,628. The state with the lowest adjusted annual median wage is Florida, with a wage of $40,676.  

There are jobs out there that pay good money that don’t require more than a high school diploma, you just have to find them.