WSJ: More Workers Are Getting Job-Skill Certificates. They Often Don’t Pay Off.
August 16, 2025
More workers are turning to job-skill certificates as an alternative to traditional degrees, but most credentials deliver little economic return. A Wall Street Journal analysis, drawing on research from the Burning Glass Institute, finds that only a small share of popular certificates lead to meaningful wage gains, while many have no measurable impact on pay or employment. Returns vary widely by field, with healthcare credentials performing best, underscoring that credentials alone are not a reliable pathway to career advancement without clear employer demand.