Can Union Education Benefits Support Long-Term Career Growth?

Union education benefits can support long-term career growth by helping members access affordable degree and certificate programs that build useful skills over time. That makes these benefits much more than a short-term perk.

For many union members, education helps open the door to more career options. It may support advancement in a current field or prepare them for a new role. Also, with online programs available, working adults may find it more convenient than ever to finish a degree they started earlier in life.

A degree or certificate does not guarantee a specific job, salary or promotion. Career outcomes depend on experience, location, industry, employer needs and the type of program a student completes. Still, national data shows a clear relationship between education, earnings and employment. That makes education benefits an important tool for union members thinking about the future.

Do Union Education Benefits Support Long-Term Career Growth?

Yes. Union education benefits can help members plan for long-term career growth by making school both more accessible and more affordable.

For a working adult, going back to school is a big decision. Union members often must balance full-time work and family responsibilities with furthering their education. They also must ensure that the degree or certificate program makes the most sense for their career goals.

Union education benefits can help reduce some of those barriers. By using their tuition benefits, members may access tuition benefits as well as student support services and expert guidance on comparing degree options.

That support is important because career growth rarely happens all at once, but instead moves forward step by step. Earning a certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree or graduate degree can become an important step for union members over the long term.

How Do Union Membership and Education Benefits Work Together?

Union membership provides meaningful value on its own. Education benefits can add another layer of long-term opportunity.

Full-time wage and salary union members had median usual weekly earnings of $1,404 in 2025, compared with $1,174 for nonunion workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS notes that these broad comparisons do not control for every factor that can affect earnings, including occupation, industry, age and geography.

Research hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor also reports that union membership has a cumulative effect on earnings over a working life. The department published a review paper that associated full-career union membership with a major increase in lifetime earnings compared with no lifetime union membership.

Education benefits can build on that foundation. Union membership can support wages, benefits and workplace stability. Education can help members prepare with new knowledge and skills that prepare them for more career options, especially at the management level, In the years ahead. For example, federal data shows that someone with a bachelor’s degree makes $1,543 a week, while those with a master’s degree make $1,840. 

What Kinds of Career Growth for Union Members Can Education Support?

Career growth for union members can take many forms. It does not always mean having to leave a current job, employer or field. 

A union member might use education to prepare for a leadership role. Another might build skills for training, safety, operations or project coordination. Someone in healthcare might pursue a credential connected to patient care, administration or management. A public service worker might study communication, data, leadership or organizational management.

Education also can help members prepare for a career shift. That can matter for workers in physically demanding jobs or fields affected by new technology, changing regulations or shifting employer needs.

The value of education benefits is that they help members explore the path that fits their goals and job situation.

Why Are Online Programs Useful for Working Union Members?

Online degree and certificate programs can be useful because they are often designed for adults who need flexibility. 

Many union members cannot pause work to attend school full time on campus. They may work long shifts and have long commutes. They may also need to schedule study around family responsibilities. Online programs can make it more realistic to keep working while building skills.

Convenient online programs coupled with tuition discounts make it easier for union members to access the benefits of a college education. Brookings describes education as an “economic elevator” connected to higher earnings, adaptability, resilience and personal development. It also notes that online higher education has become more common, expanding access for people with different schedules and learning goals.

For union members, that flexibility can make the difference between wanting to return to school and actually being able to take the next step.

How Does Edvance Help Union Members Use Education Benefits?

Edvance helps union members and their families explore college options that may fit their goals, schedules and budgets.

Through Union College Benefit powered by Edvance, eligible members can connect with schools that offer a wide range of online degree and certificate programs, tuition savings and student support. Members can explore programs, compare options and better understand what steps to take next.

Union education benefits are not just a short-term perk. Used well, they support career growth for union members by helping them build skills that led to more choices for their future.