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Skill Demand Index

Degree — Demand & Depth Analysis

Based on 15 scored job postings out of 4,995 total. Depth levels reflect actual proficiency tiers, not just keyword presence.

0.3%

Demand Rate

L3

Median Depth

27%

Gap Rate

15

Jobs Analyzed

L533% of postings

Expert

Most employers want Degree at architect level, not just familiarity.

Overview

What is Degree?

Market context for Degree in the current job market

Degree is required in 0.3% of scored job postings on ShouldApply, making it a growing skill in the current job market. Employers looking for Degree typically want candidates who can demonstrate real proficiency, not just surface awareness.

What the data shows for Degree:

  • •Required in 0.3% of all scored postings — demand is growing as more employers add it to requirements
  • •Employers typically expect L3 depth — hands-on proficiency, not surface awareness
  • •Most demand comes from Other roles — 27% of all Degree jobs
  • •Median salary for roles requiring Degree: $145K vs $133K for roles that don't — a $37K difference

What L3 means in practice:

L3 (Proficient) means daily professional use. You should be able to work independently with Degree without needing supervision or constant guidance.

This means employers aren't looking for someone who has used Degree once or twice. They want evidence of professional application — shipped work, measurable outcomes, and the ability to operate independently.

Common skill gaps:

The gap rate of 27% means a notable portion of candidates fall short on Degree. Addressing this gap directly in your application materials gives you an edge.

Which roles need Degree most:

Other positions drive 27% of demand. Data Analysis and Data Science / ML also frequently list Degree as a requirement. Skills commonly paired with Degree include Stakeholder Collaboration and Data Analysis.

Depth Level Distribution

Proficiency Distribution

How candidates match Degree requirements across 15 scored evaluations

L0 — Missing
7% (1)
L1 — Minimal
20% (3)
L2 — Basic
7% (1)
L3 — Proficient
27% (4)
L4 — Advanced
7% (1)
L5 — Expert
33% (5)
DOMINANT

Average depth: L3.1·Median depth: L3.0

Salary Correlation

Pay Impact

How Degree affects compensation based on postings with disclosed salary data

With Degree

$178K

Median $145K

7 jobs

Without Degree

$140K

Median $133K

1229 jobs

↑ $37K higher

for roles requiring Degree

Skill Demand Insight

“Degree appears in 0.3% of all scored jobs.”

From 15 scored job postings

Skill Pairings

Commonly Paired Skills

Other skills that frequently appear alongside Degree

Role Breakdown

Top Role Categories

Job categories most likely to require Degree

Gap Analysis

Gap Rate Explained

How often Degree is identified as a skill gap (L0–L1) in scored applications

27%

Moderate gap rate — many candidates lack this skill

When Degree appears in a job's requirements, 27% of scored applicants received an L0 or L1 (missing or minimal).

A high gap rate signals strong hiring leverage for candidates who have it. A low gap rate means the skill is table stakes: not having it is a disqualifier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Degree in demand in 2026?

Yes. Degree appears in 0.3% of scored job postings on ShouldApply, making it a growing skill in the current market. Based on 15 analyzed jobs, demand is steady across multiple role types.

What level of Degree do most jobs require?

The median required depth is L3. Most roles expect intermediate competency — independent work without supervision.

Does knowing Degree increase salary?

Jobs requiring Degree pay +$37K more on average. This salary premium makes it a high-value skill to develop.

What other skills pair with Degree?

The most common pairings are Stakeholder Collaboration, Data Analysis, Written Communication, Communication Skills, Managerial/Leadership Exp.. Strengthening these alongside Degree improves your fit across more positions.

What roles need Degree the most?

Top roles: Other, Data Analysis, Data Science / ML, Project Management. Other positions have the highest demand at 27% of all Degree jobs.

How do I improve my Degree level?

L1→L2: online courses and personal projects. L2→L3: daily professional use and shipped work. L3→L4: mentoring others and optimizing processes. L4→L5: architecture decisions, open source contributions, or published work.

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