What Goes Up May Come Down: Trends in the Upward and Downward Occupational Mobility of U.S. Workers
Economic Development Quarterly: The Journal of American Economic Revitalization
Published online on April 28, 2026
Abstract
Economic Development Quarterly, Ahead of Print.
This paper estimates annual upward and downward occupational mobility rates in the United States between 2018 and 2024. The authors find that only 6.6% of workers in the lowest-quality occupations moved into higher-quality occupations. Conversely, 8.0% of ...
This paper estimates annual upward and downward occupational mobility rates in the United States between 2018 and 2024. The authors find that only 6.6% of workers in the lowest-quality occupations moved into higher-quality occupations. Conversely, 8.0% of ...