Looking for a pay bump? A “nondegree credential” can help.

Updated on: October 16, 2026 / 1:53 PM EDT / CBS News

You don't have to switch jobs or earn a promotion to get a pay bump.

So-called nondegree credentials (NDCs), such as professional certifications and licenses, can boost earnings, particularly for workers without college degrees, according to research from the U.S. Census Bureau.

These credentials, which demonstrate that a worker has completed training or developed a specific skill, can pay off in the job market. NDC holders had median earnings that were 16% higher than those of workers at the same level who lacked the credentials, the Census data shows.

Stacie Haller, chief career adviser at ResumeBuilder.com, said she's steering more job seekers toward alternative credentials as some employers stop requiring that candidates hold college degrees. Such certificates or licenses demonstrate "specific skills that will put you ahead of other candidates," she told CBS News.

NDCs are certificates or licenses that signal that a worker possesses a particular qualification or competency. They include vocational and educational certificates awarded by technical colleges or trade schools that focus on job skills and career preparation.

Workers can earn certificates in a variety of fields, from food service to healthcare, according to the…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/moneywatch/