What are middle class jobs?

Middle-class jobs are stable, well-paying roles providing a comfortable living, often requiring post-secondary education (degrees or certificates) and falling into professional, technical, administrative, or skilled trades, like nurses, teachers, engineers, accountants, IT specialists, skilled trades (electricians, plumbers), managers, and police officers, offering good benefits and security beyond just basic survival wages.

What jobs do the middle class work?

22 middle-class careers to consider

• Massage therapist. ...
• Interpreter. ...
• Office manager. ...
• Electrician. ...
• Police officer. ...
• Social media specialist. ...
• Truck driver. ...
• Professor.

What is considered middle class worker?

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.

What are middle level jobs?

A mid-level job is a professional role requiring 2-7 years of experience, bridging entry-level and senior positions, demanding greater independence, problem-solving, project ownership, and often involving mentoring junior staff, acting as a crucial link between frontline staff and senior leadership. Mid-level employees can handle complex tasks with less supervision and contribute strategically, progressing towards leadership opportunities.
 

What are upper class jobs?

Upper-class jobs are typically high-paying roles requiring advanced education, significant experience, or ownership, primarily in fields like executive management (CEOs, VPs), medicine (surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, psychiatrists), law (partners, corporate lawyers), finance (investment bankers, VCs, fund managers), and technology (high-level engineers, data scientists). Successful entrepreneurs, celebrities, and owners of large businesses also fall into this category, deriving income from profits and investments rather than just wages.
 

Most People Think They Are Middle Class (Most Are Not)

Is $70,000 a year considered middle class?

Yes, $70,000 a year generally falls within the middle-class income range nationally, but it depends heavily on household size and location, feeling like lower-middle class in high-cost cities where it might not cover rent and necessities comfortably, while being a solid middle-class income in less expensive areas. The Pew Research Center defines middle class as two-thirds to double the median household income, placing it broadly in the $50k-$170k range, but local cost of living (like California vs. a rural state) drastically shifts what $70k can buy. 

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

Jobs that can pay $400K a year without a degree include commercial real estate brokers, successful YouTubers or influencers, self-employed software developers, high-stakes sales roles like enterprise tech sales, and business owners. These roles rely on skill, market demand, and performance rather than formal education.

What age is mid level career?

Mid-career isn't a fixed number of years but generally spans about 10 to 25 years into a career, often starting around year 7-10 and lasting through years 10-25, marking the transition from building skills to greater expertise and leadership, though definitions vary by field and individual path. It's less about age and more about gaining significant experience and responsibility. 

Why is Gen Z saying no to middle management?

However, research shows that over half of Gen Z have no interest in pursuing middle management roles. There is an understandable reason for this: these roles are known for their high levels of burnout and may initially seem at odds with Gen Z's values of autonomy, flexibility and personal well-being.

What are lower middle class jobs?

Individuals in the lower-middle class tend to hold low status professional or white collar jobs, such as school teacher, nurse, or paralegal. These types of occupations usually require some education but generally do not require a graduate degree.

Is $40,000 a year considered middle class?

A $40,000 salary often falls into the lower-middle class or just below the middle-class threshold, depending on the definition used, but it's generally considered tight for a family and depends heavily on location and household size, as it's significantly below the national median income and often requires careful budgeting to be considered middle-class in most areas. While a single person might manage in a low-cost area, it's often insufficient for a family or in high-cost cities, where the middle-class range starts much higher. 

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. 

Are you middle class if you make $100,000 a year?

According to Pew Research Center, for a three-person household the “middle-income” range in 2022 dollars was about $56,600 to $169,800. A household earning $100,000 places you squarely in the middle-income range under that definition — you're not lower-income, but neither are you upper class.

What jobs make $3,000 a month without a degree?

What jobs make $3,000 a month without a degree?

• Dental Assistant. Dental assisting is one of the best-paying jobs you can start with no degree. ...
• Medical Assistant. ...
• Electrician or HVAC Technician. ...
• Delivery Driver or Courier. ...
• Office or Administrative Assistant. ...
• Security Guard. ...
• Real Estate Agent.

What skill pays $100 an hour?

To earn $100 an hour, professionals typically need specialized expertise in high-demand fields such as executive consulting, advanced IT services, legal counsel, or medical specializations, often backed by advanced degrees or certifications.

What salary makes me middle class?

A middle-class salary varies significantly by location and household size, but generally, it's defined as two-thirds to double the median household income for your area, according to Pew Research Center and SmartAsset.com. Nationally, this might mean roughly $51,000 to $155,000 (in 2023/2024 dollars) for a typical household, but in expensive cities like San Jose, CA, the range can be $90,000 to over $270,000, while in lower-cost states like Mississippi, it's closer to $36,000 to $108,000. 

What do Gen Z use instead of 😂?

Whilst boomers and millennials may use the 😂 emoji, this has long since been deemed 'uncool' (or 'cheugy') by Gen Z. Instead, this has been replaced by the skull (💀) or the crying emoji (😭), dramatising the idea of 'dying with laughter'.

Which is the unhealthiest generation?

Recent research shows that members of the Baby Boomer generation have worse health than previous generations did at the same ages—diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses are more common.

What is the 3 month rule for jobs?

A 3-month probationary period is a standard trial period for employers to assess a new hire's suitability for a role. Probationary periods may be used for new hires, promotions, poor performance management, and potential terminations.

At what age do careers peak?

Peak earning years are generally thought to be late 40s to late 50s*. The latest figures show women's peak between ages 35 and 54, men between 45 and 64. After that, most people's incomes typically level off.

Is 40 too old for tech?

Yes! Age is not a barrier. With the right skills and training, older career-shifters can thrive in tech just like younger professionals.

What is considered a mid-career salary?

Mid-career salary is defined as the median salary for alumni with 10 or more years of work experience.

How much is $60,000 a year hourly?

$60,000 a year is approximately $28.85 per hour, assuming a standard 40-hour workweek (2080 work hours per year). You calculate this by dividing your annual salary by 2080 (52 weeks x 40 hours/week). 

Is $40,000 a year low income?

Yes, $40,000 a year can be considered low income, especially for a family, as it's below the U.S. median household income, but it's generally manageable for a single person in a low-cost-of-living area, though tight in expensive cities, classifying as lower-middle class by some definitions and near the poverty line for larger households.