Self-control and persistence may predict employment outcomes among individuals who have no credential, a General Educational Development (GED) credential, or a high school diploma. However, less is known about the stability of that relation after accounting for structural factors (e.g., social relationships) and differences in lived experience (e.g., dropout status). Using data from a national survey of young adults in the USA (n = 1282, M = 21.54 years), we examined whether there were differences in self-control, persistence, and social relationships among youth with a diploma, a GED or no credential. Then, we examined whether and how self-control, persistence, social relationships, dropout status, and educational attainment related to young adults' employment outcomes. Results indicate differences in self-control, persistence, and social support among the three groups. Models indicate a non-linear relation between self-control and persistence to employment outcomes and highlight the importance of educational attainment.