How many people in the US make 100k?

About 18% of American adults earn over $100,000 annually, though this varies significantly by age, with 25% of those 35-44 hitting this mark, while around 34% of U.S. households have incomes above $100,000, highlighting that multiple earners contribute to household income. Higher education, especially advanced degrees, remains a strong predictor for reaching this income level, but factors like location and gender also play significant roles.

What percent of Americans earn over 100K?

About 18% of individual American adults earn over $100k annually, but this figure jumps significantly for households, with around 34-41% of U.S. households earning $100k or more, depending on the source and year. The percentage varies greatly by age and gender, with men and middle-aged adults (35-44) more likely to be in this income bracket. 

How rare is a 100K salary?

Making $100k a year is less common for individuals but more so for households; roughly 18-23% of individual U.S. workers earn over $100k, while about 34% of households hit that mark, making it a significant income but not universally "rich" due to high living costs in many areas, with factors like location, gender, and age impacting its value and attainment. 

What percent of Americans have $100K?

How Many Americans Have at Least $100K Saved Up? Data from the Employee Benefit Research Institute indicates that 22.1% of Americans have at least $100,000 saved up. Most people in this group have retirement savings that range from $100,000 – $499,000.

What is the top 5% income in the US?

To be in the top 5% of U.S. earners, you generally need a household income of around $300,000 to over $350,000, though the exact amount varies significantly by source, year, and location, with figures suggesting thresholds from ~$290,000 to ~$353,000 annually in recent data. For instance, some analyses point to a minimum of $335,575 or more, while others cite averages around $343,000 or $353,000 for the top 5%. 

What To Do After Saving $100,000 (Most People Get This Wrong)

How many Americans make $200,000 a year?

Around 14-16% of U.S. households earn $200,000 or more annually, which translates to roughly 15-20 million households, while for individuals, $200k puts you in the top 5% of earners, with data suggesting roughly 10-12% of households are above this mark, showing it's a significant income bracket but still well above the median household earnings. 

What is the 1% in 2025?

2025 Study. Nearly 1.5 million households across the United States now rank among the top 1% of earners, according to the latest tax return data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). On average, it takes $731,492 in annual income to be a part of this group.

Can I retire at 62 with $400,000 in 401k?

You can retire at 62 with $400k if you can live off $30,200 annually, not including Social Security Benefits, which you are eligible for now or later.

Is 100k salary upper middle class?

The upper bound of what's considered middle class for households exceeds $100,000 in every U.S. state, according to a SmartAsset analysis of 2023 income data, the most recent available from the U.S. Census Bureau.

How many Americans have $500,000 in their 401k?

Believe it or not, data from the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances indicates that only 9% of American households have managed to save $500,000 or more for their retirement. This means less than one in ten families have achieved this financial goal.

Are you wealthy if you earn 100K?

Having $100,000 can mean different things: it's a solid financial cushion for security and growth (not "rich" in a mega-wealthy sense), but makes you "mass affluent," not a High-Net-Worth Individual (HNWI). For some, $100k salary is middle-class income; for others, $100k in savings provides freedom to invest, start businesses, or handle emergencies, but true "richness" depends on your lifestyle, location, and financial goals.
 

What's a good salary for a 30 year old?

Median Salary for Ages 25-34

For Americans ages 25 to 34, the median salary is $1,150 per week or $59,800 per year. That's a big jump from the median salary for 20- to 24-year-olds. As a general rule, earnings tend to rise in your 20s and 30s as you start to climb the career ladder.

Is a six figure salary still good?

The lowest salary considered to be in the socioeconomic class is $36,132 in one state, while the highest hits a staggering $199,716 in another. But in every single state in America, a $100,000 salary is no longer enough to be considered upper-class—and families with six-figure incomes are even struggling to get by.

How common is making 100K a year?

According to last year's YouGov data, only 18% of U.S. adults earn more than $100,000 annually. And the biggest earners are mostly men—25%—and those aged 35 to 44—25%. For comparison, just 12% of women make six figures.

What's considered upper class income?

Upper-class income varies, but generally starts around $170,000 to over $200,000 annually for a household, often defined as the top 20% of earners, with thresholds rising with more affluent areas, but true upper-class status also involves significant wealth accumulation and investment income beyond just salary, putting them in the top few percentiles. 

What is the average US salary?

In the BLS' survey sample of 60,000 US households, men earn a median wage of $1,307 per week or $67,964 per year. By comparison, women earn a median wage of $1,096 per week, or $56,992 per year—almost 20% less than men.

Can I afford a 500K house on 100K salary?

You might be able to afford a $500k house on a $100k salary, but it will be tight and depends heavily on your existing debts, credit, down payment, and location; the general guideline (28/36 rule) suggests your total housing costs (PITI) should be around $2,300/month, while some scenarios show you'd need closer to $117k-$140k income or have very little left after housing, taxes, and insurance. 

What are the 5 income classes?

The five common income classes, from lowest to highest, are generally defined as Lower Class, Lower-Middle Class, Middle Class, Upper-Middle Class, and Upper Class, with definitions often based on income relative to the national median, though specific brackets vary by source (like Pew Research or U.S. News and The Motley Fool). These classifications help gauge economic standing, with the middle class typically spanning two-thirds to double the median income, adjusted for household size and location. 

What class are you in if you make $200,000 a year?

Making $200,000 a year generally places you in the upper-middle class, but depending on your location (especially high-cost areas like California) or household size, it can still fall within the broader definition of middle class, or even be considered upper income in some areas, showing that "class" is relative to cost of living and regional median incomes. 

How long will $750,000 last in retirement at 62?

With careful planning, $750,000 can last 25 to 30 years or more in retirement. Your actual results will depend on how much you spend, how your investments perform, and whether you have other income.

What is the average 401k balance at 50?

At age 50, the average 401(k) balance generally falls in the $200,000 to $600,000 range for averages, but varies significantly by data source, with medians often around $250,000, showing that many individuals have much less, with a key benchmark being to have about six times your salary saved by this age, according to Kiplinger, with providers like Fidelity and Empower showing averages for ages 50-54 around $200k and 55-59 around $245k, while other sources show much higher averages for the entire 50s decade.
 

What is considered wealthy in 2025?

In 2025, Americans generally believe it takes a net worth of about $2.3 million to be considered wealthy, though this varies by generation and location, with younger generations setting a lower bar and older generations higher; "wealth" also increasingly includes non-financial factors like happiness, health, and quality of life, not just money. A net worth of around $839,000 is often seen as "financially comfortable". 

What net worth is rich?

Being "rich" is subjective, but Americans generally define it as a net worth of around $2.3 million to $2.5 million, while financial experts use benchmarks like $1 million for High-Net-Worth Individual (HNWI) (excluding primary home) or $30 million for Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individual (UHNWI), with wealth often tied more to financial freedom and control than just a number. The perception changes with age and income, with younger people needing less to feel comfortable, and the top 1% of U.S. households having over $13 million in net worth. 

Which industry is growing fast in 2025?

In 2025, the fastest-growing industries are dominated by technology and innovation, with Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Healthcare Technology, and Renewable Energy leading the way, driven by digital transformation, sustainability needs, and advancements in biotech, fintech, and electric vehicles (EVs). Other key growth areas include Fintech, E-commerce, Digital Marketing, Biotech, and the expanding Creator Economy, all benefiting from digital shifts and evolving consumer demands.