The higher median weekly earnings for Asian American men are attributed mainly to which factor?

• A. Most Asians had earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
• B. They work longer hours.
• C. They are concentrated in high-paying sectors regardless of education.
• D. They are recruited through affirmative action programs.

Answer: (A)

Education level is the main driver here. Higher educational attainment, like earning a bachelor’s degree or more, tends to lead to higher-paying jobs and greater overall earnings because it signals more skills and qualifications that employers value. Asian American men have a relatively high share with bachelor’s degrees or higher, which explains why their median weekly earnings are higher on average.

Other options don’t capture the overall pattern as well: working longer hours can raise weekly pay but doesn’t explain a broad group advantage rooted in education; being concentrated in high-paying sectors regardless of education would not align with the observed link between degree attainment and earnings; and affirmative action programs aren’t the primary factor driving the median earnings for this group.