How much does the average US citizen make?

What Is the Average US Salary (2024) The national average salary is $63,795. That is the sum of all incomes divided by the number of workers. Where someone lives, their industry, education level, and current demand for that job all contribute to how much a worker earns per year.

How much does an average U.S. citizen make?

For the year 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the median annual earnings for all workers (people aged 15 and over with earnings) was $51,370; and more specifically estimates that median annual earnings for those who worked full-time, year round, was $63,360.

What percentage of Americans make $75,000 a year?

Income distribution in the United States

Data source: U.S. Census Bureau (2025). Forty-five percent of American households earn less than $75,000 per year. Forty-three percent earn $100,000 or more.

What is the salary of a U.S. citizen?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), American workers made a median wage of $1,194 per week in the first quarter of 2025, which would add up to $62,088 per year. Median pay can vary significantly depending on factors like age, sex, location, and education.

What percentage of U.S. citizens make over $100,000?

Only 18% of Americans earn more than $100K/year — here's the 1 big thing they credit most for success.

How Do You Compare Financially to The Average American?

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.

What income is considered middle class?

Middle-class income is generally defined as two-thirds to double the national or local median household income, varying significantly by location and household size, but roughly falling between $50,000 and $150,000 nationally for a three-person household in 2022-2024, though much higher in expensive areas like California or New York. For instance, in California (2025 data), it's $63,674 to $190,644, while in San Jose, it's much higher due to high living costs.
 

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 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.

Can you live off 50k a year?

Yes, you can live off $50k a year, especially as a single person in areas with a lower cost of living (COL), but it's challenging in expensive cities like NYC or SF and much harder with dependents; your ability to live "comfortably" depends heavily on location, lifestyle, budgeting, and avoiding debt. In smaller cities or suburbs, $50k can cover essentials plus savings, but high-cost-of-living (HCOL) areas require roommates, extreme frugality, or a second income to manage housing, food, and other costs. 

What is a good salary by age?

A "good" salary generally increases with age and experience, peaking in the 45-54 age bracket (around $70k-$72k median), but what's good depends heavily on location and career; for example, a 25-34 year old might aim for $59k+, while a 35-44 year old could target $70k+, with significant jumps as you gain experience, though personal finances, skills, and cost of living matter more than age alone, say Fidelity, SmartAsset.com, and SoFi.
 

Is 70k a middle class salary?

The Pew Research Center defines the middle class as households that earn between two-thirds and double the median U.S. household income, which was $83,730 in 2024. 2 Using Pew's yardstick, middle income is made up of people who make between $55,820 and $167,460.

How many Americans make over $400,000?

Fewer than 1% of American wage earners make over $400k, but more households cross that threshold, with estimates around 3.8 million households or roughly 3% of the total, though figures vary by source and whether it's individual or household income, with the top 1% of earners generally starting around $500k-$800k depending on the study. While it's a small slice of the population (less than 1 in 100 earners), it represents a significant group within the top income brackets, especially in high-cost areas. 

How much does a U.S. citizen need to make to live comfortably?

While no definitive figure universally defines a good salary, a commonly cited range is between $75,000 and $100,000 annually for individuals.

How much savings is considered wealthy?

Charles Schwab Corporation. "Schwab Survey Reveals That Americans Think It Takes $2.5 Million To Be Considered Wealthy in 2024." Tax Foundation. "Summary of the Latest Federal Income Tax Data, 2024 Update."

Is 100k saved at 33 good?

Kevin O' Leary Says By 33, You Should Have $100,000 Saved 'Somewhere' — 'That's the Age When it's Really Time to Start Getting Focused'

What is a $60,000 salary hourly?

A $60,000 annual salary breaks down to approximately $28.85 per hour, assuming a standard 40-hour workweek and 2,080 working hours in a year ($60,000 / 2080 hours). This is calculated by dividing the yearly income by the total hours worked annually, and can change slightly if you work fewer or more hours, or have paid time off. 

At what age should you make 6 figures?

Some workers begin earning six figures in their twenties and thirties. Economists nickname them HENRYs, for “high earners, not rich yet.” But for most people, their “peak earning years” are from age 35 to 64.

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. 

How many people in the U.S. make over $500,000?

Over 1 million people in the U.S. earn $500,000 or more annually, representing less than 1% of the population, though perceptions often overestimate this figure significantly, with some analyses suggesting around 1.6 million workers fall into this category. Recent studies by ADP Research and DQYDJ indicate the number is substantial, with estimates pointing to figures like 1 in 127 jobs paying over $500k, showing it's more common than people think, even in major cities. 

Is 85k a good salary?

Yes, $85k is generally a very good salary in most parts of the U.S., often considered middle to upper-middle class, allowing for comfort, savings, and discretionary spending, but its actual value heavily depends on your location (e.g., expensive cities vs. rural areas) and personal expenses, though it might be tighter in extremely high-cost areas like NYC or SF. 

What are the 4 levels of income?

The World Bank classifies economies for analytical purposes into four income groups: low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high income.

Is middle class shrinking in America?

Yes, the U.S. middle class has been steadily shrinking for decades, falling from 61% of adults in 1971 to around 50% by 2021-2023, with many moving into upper-income brackets, while a growing lower-income tier also contributes to the decline in the middle's share, driven by rising inequality, technological shifts, globalization, and stagnant wage growth for many.
 

What are the 5 wealth classes?

The concept of "5 wealth classes" often refers to a breakdown of U.S. households by net worth, typically categorizing them as the Bottom 25%, Lower Middle Class, Upper Middle Class, Upper Class (top 25%), and the Wealthiest 10%, with defined net worth ranges for each tier, according to financial reports like those from MarketWatch. Another perspective defines wealth more broadly across five dimensions: Financial, Social, Time, Physical (Health), and Spiritual wealth, focusing on overall life quality beyond just money.