Final answer:
The claim that the national average wage is around $52,000 is false. 2020 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows earnings vary greatly with education, from $40,612 for high school graduates to $67,860 for bachelor's degree holders, and much more for advanced degrees.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the national average wage is around $52,000 is false. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2020, the median weekly earnings for full-time workers aged 25 and over varied depending on education level. For instance, those with a high school diploma earned a median annual income of $40,612, individuals with a two-year associate degree earned $48,776, and those with a four-year bachelor's degree earned $67,860 per year.
Moreover, advanced degrees significantly impact earnings. Workers with a bachelor's degree earned 67% more than those with only a high school diploma. Those with a master's degree could expect nearly double the earnings of someone with only a high school education. In 2015, the median weekly earnings for individuals with a master's degree averaged $2,951, resulting in an annual salary of about $153,452.