This report describes differences in the employment experiences of high school dropouts and high school completers, taking into account several personal background and education characteristics. Such variables as labor force status, wage rates, type of occupation, job satisfaction, and other job-related activities are compared for two groups of students who were members of the high school sophomore class of 1980: those who graduated by June 1982 and those who did not. Comparisons are based on data from the first, second, and third follow-ups of the 1980 High School and Beyond survey, a national longitudinal study of the high school sophomores and seniors of 1980. In the third follow-up in 1986, the more than 20,000 respondents were asked about their labor force and continuing education status. Dropouts were more likely than completers to have been unemployed at least once between June 1982 and February 1986. On the average, completers earned more per hour than dropouts. More males dropped out, but female dropouts experienced more difficulties in the world of work than males. Hispanic American dropouts were less likely than Black or White dropouts to be unemployed or to experience longer periods of unemployment. Hispanic American dropouts' earnings also exceeded those of Black dropouts and Black completers. Completers were more likely than dropouts to be satisfied with their jobs and other aspects of their occupations. Twelve tables and 6 graphs present study data. Two appendices provide methodological and technical notes and 14 tables of standard error data. (SLD)