College Grads Started Taking Non-College Degree Jobs Years Before Recession Started

From Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank Economic Trends, "Are Underemployed Graduates Displacing Nongraduates?" by Stephan Whitaker and Mary Zenker:

We looked at data that could reflect this trend and found that college graduates are in fact becoming more prevalent in occupations that do not require a degree. The trend actually started before the recession, though it has, if anything, increased during the slowdown.

Read the complete article here.

In 2004, 16.3 percent of jobs that did not require a college degree were held by college grads. In 2010, the number rose to 18.2 percent. A 11.7 percent increase over 6 years, or a 1.9 percent average yearly growth rate.

In 2004, 25.82 percent of jobs that required a college degree were held by non-college grads. In 2010, the number decline to 23.7 percent. An 8.2 percent decline over 6 years, or a 1.4 percent average yearly reduction rate.