What does the average American make hourly?

The average American's hourly wage varies slightly by source, but recent data from late 2025 shows averages around $36.86 per hour for private nonfarm employees (BLS, Nov 2025) and roughly $28.16 per hour (ZipRecruiter, Jan 2026) when considering overall annual pay, with significant differences across industries (like high pay in Information vs. lower in Hospitality) and demographics.

What is the US average hourly wage?

What is the average hourly wage in the United States? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage of United States citizens as of December 2020 is $29.81, while the average weekly wage is $1034.41.

How much is $70,000 a year hourly?

$70,000 a year is approximately $33.65 per hour, calculated by dividing the annual salary by 2,080 standard work hours (40 hours/week * 52 weeks/year). This figure represents your gross pay before taxes and other deductions, though variations exist if you work more or fewer hours weekly. 

What is a good hourly salary in the USA?

The median hourly wage for white people ages 25 to 64 is $29 per hour compared to $23 per hour for people of color. Men ages 25 to 64 of all races and ethnicities have a median hourly wage of $28 while women's median hourly wage is just $24. Latina women have the lowest median hourly wage at $19 per hour.

What is $100,000 a year hourly?

$100,000 a year is approximately $48.08 per hour, calculated by dividing the annual salary by 2,080 working hours (40 hours/week * 52 weeks/year) for a standard full-time job, though this can change with different work schedules or paid time off. 

What Is Considered a “Good Income”?

Is $100,000 a middle class income?

Is $100,000 Salary a Middle Class Income? This depends on your household size and location. For a single individual, $100,000 would actually put you in the upper-income level in most places. For household sizes between two and four, $100,000 a year would put you squarely in the middle class.

How much is $70 an hour annually?

$70 an hour is $145,600 annually, assuming a standard 40-hour work week (40 hours/week x 52 weeks/year) before taxes. This breaks down to about $2,800 weekly or $12,133 monthly, though actual take-home pay depends on deductions like taxes and benefits. 

What is a livable wage in the US?

The living wage standard allows for no more than 30% of income to be spent on rent or a mortgage and is sufficiently higher than the poverty level. The concept of living wages dates back to early America when workers demanded higher pay.

What percent of Americans make $30 an hour?

The chart, shown above, shows that 19% of workers make less than $12.50 per hour, 32% of workers make between $12.50 and $20 per hour, 30% make between $20 and $30 an hour, 14% make between $30 and $45 per hour, and 5% make over $45 an hour.

What is considered upper class income in the US?

In the U.S., the income threshold for the upper class generally starts around $170,000 to over $150,000 annually, depending on the source, often defined as households earning more than double the national median income (around $82,000-$84,000). However, this varies significantly by location, with higher thresholds in expensive areas like California versus lower ones in less expensive states, and definitions also differ by generation and whether net worth or income is considered. 

What is $80,000 a year hourly?

$80,000 a year is approximately $38.46 per hour, assuming a standard 40-hour workweek for 52 weeks (2080 total work hours per year). To calculate this, you divide the annual salary ($80,000) by 2080 hours. 

Is a 70K salary rich?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics's most recent data (May 2022), the average salary nationwide is $61,900, which means that $70,000 is a common salary — but above the national average.

Is salary or hourly pay better?

Neither salary nor hourly is inherently "better"—it depends on your priorities, as salaried roles offer predictable income, better benefits (health, PTO), and stability, but potentially less overtime pay and flexibility; while hourly pay offers higher earning potential for extra hours and schedule control, but risks income fluctuation and fewer benefits. Salary suits those valuing security and benefits, while hourly suits those wanting control over their hours and earning more by working more. 

What was the average hourly wage in 1964?

In 1964, the average hourly wage for production and nonsupervisory workers hovered around $2.50, a significant milestone, with the Federal Reserve data showing it starting at $2.50 in January and rising slightly through the year, while the overall average for 1963 was $2.46 per hour. The federal minimum wage also saw an increase, reaching $1.15 per hour for newly covered workers in September of that year. 

How much does the average 23 year old make per hour?

$23 an hour is $47,840 per year, assuming a standard 40-hour work week (23 x 40 x 52), while $23,000 a year is about $11.06 an hour, calculated by dividing the annual salary by 2080 (40 hours/week x 52 weeks/year). The key difference is whether you mean $23 per hour or $23 thousand per year. 

What is a good starting salary?

It depends on the field you're in and your location, but $50,000 is below the average starting salary in the U.S. of $68,680 for college graduates in 2025. However, for those in certain fields, such as psychology, in which the average starting salary is $44,700, $50,000 would be a good entry level salary.

Does Chick-fil-A pay $20 an hour?

Average Chick-fil-A Restaurants hourly pay ranges from approximately $20.21 per hour for Kitchen Team Member to $28.46 per hour for Kitchen Manager. Salary estimated from 11 past and present job postings on Indeed.

Is 30k a year considered poor?

Yes, $30,000 a year is considered at or below the poverty level for a family of four in the US, but for a single person, it's generally above the poverty line but still considered low income, especially in high-cost areas, as it depends heavily on family size, location, and living expenses. While a single person earning $30k might manage in low-cost areas, it often qualifies for some government assistance and is near the low-income threshold for programs like health insurance subsidies. 

What is a low wage?

Low wages are defined as earnings of less than two thirds of the median earnings across all jobs in paid employment. The median divides the earnings distribution into two halves, which means that one half of the employees earn less and the other half earn more than the median value.

Can you live on $3,000 a month in the US?

You can retire comfortably on $3,000 a month in retirement income by choosing to retire in a place with a cost of living that matches your financial resources. Housing cost is the key factor. It's both the largest component of a retiree's budget and it's the household cost that varies the most according to geography.

Can a family survive on $70,000 per year?

Yes, supporting a family on $70k a year is possible, but it's challenging and heavily depends on your location, family size (especially childcare needs), and spending habits, requiring careful budgeting as it's often below the required living wage in high-cost areas like LA or NYC but potentially manageable in lower-cost regions or rural areas. You'll likely need to prioritize needs, minimize luxuries, and find affordable housing to make it work, as high costs like rent, healthcare, and childcare can quickly consume that income. 

Can a single person live off of $50,000 a year?

Yes, a single person can generally live on $50k a year in most parts of the U.S., covering basics and saving, especially in lower cost-of-living areas, but it becomes tight or challenging in expensive cities like NYC or San Francisco, requiring careful budgeting, modest living, and awareness of location, debt, and lifestyle. After taxes, you're looking at roughly $3,200/month net income, enough for essentials in many places, but housing costs are the biggest variable. 

How much is 100k a year hourly?

$100,000 a year is approximately $48.08 per hour, calculated by dividing the annual salary by 2,080 working hours (40 hours/week x 52 weeks/year). This standard calculation assumes a consistent 40-hour workweek, but actual hourly pay can vary if you work more or fewer hours. 

What is $90,000 a year hourly?

$90,000 a year is approximately $43.27 per hour, based on a standard 40-hour workweek (2,080 hours per year). To get this, you divide your annual salary by the total working hours: $90,000 / 2,080 = $43.27. 

How much is $45 an hour weekly?

At $45 an hour, you'll earn $1,800 per week before taxes, assuming a standard 40-hour workweek ($45 x 40 hours). This also breaks down to about $7,800 monthly or $93,600 annually, though your actual take-home pay will be less after deductions like taxes.