What is a good salary at age 26?

A good salary at 26 in the U.S. generally falls in the $45,000 to $70,000+ range, with median earnings for the 25-34 age group around $58,000-$60,000, but this varies greatly by field, location, and cost of living, with high-demand jobs like tech or engineering starting much higher. Key factors are your specific industry, city's cost of living, and whether you're a recent graduate versus having a few years of experience.

How much money should I have at 26?

At 26, you should aim for an emergency fund covering 3-6 months of living expenses and start retirement savings, ideally with your employer match (like 1x salary saved by 30 is a benchmark), but there's no single magic number; focus on saving 15-20% of your income, building your emergency fund (around $18k-$36k for 25-34 year olds is average), and saving at least enough for your 401(k) match if offered. 

Is 70k a good salary at 27?

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.

What is the top 1% salary for a 28 year old?

Top 1% Income By Age

• Top 1% income for ages 27-31: $170,000.
• Top 1% income for ages 32-36: $210,000.
• Top 1% income for ages 37-41: $260,000.
• Top 1% income for ages 42-46: $320,000.

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. 

What Is Considered a “Good Income”?

Is 20k saved at 25 good?

“Ideally, your savings should reach $20,000 by the time you turn 25,” says Bill Ryze, a certified Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and board advisor at Fiona. The national average for Americans between 25 and 30 years of age is $20,540.

What is the $27.40 rule?

The $27.40 Rule is a personal finance strategy to save $10,000 in one year by consistently setting aside $27.40 every single day ($27.40 x 365 days = $10,001). It's a simple way to reach a large financial goal by breaking it down into small, manageable daily habits, making saving feel less intimidating and more achievable by cutting small, unnecessary expenses like daily coffees or lunches.
 

What is $300K at 26?

$300K @ 26 outlines how to earn a multi-six-figure income. A twenty-six-year-old earning $300K has done "10X" the norm--this book teaches you how to achieve that kind of off-the-charts success. This book is for anyone who wants to do more and be more, not just settling for mediocrity, but reaching the top.

What's a good net worth at 26?

At 26, there's no single "right" net worth, but data shows Americans under 35 often have a median net worth around $39,000, though averages are higher ($183,000+) due to wealth concentration, with negative numbers common due to student debt. A good target is building positive wealth by saving 15-20% of income, reducing debt, and focusing on long-term goals like retirement, as your personal situation (income, debt, goals) greatly impacts your number.
 

What is your salary if you make 26?

If you make $26 an hour, your yearly salary would be $54,080.

What's a good salary in 2025?

A good salary in 2025 varies wildly by location, but generally, earning over $100,000 is considered strong, while a comfortable living for one person in high-cost states like California can require over $119,000, and middle-class income ranges from roughly $56,600 to $170,000 nationally, depending on location and household size, making location and lifestyle key factors.
 

Can I afford a house with 80k salary?

With an $80k salary, you can generally afford a house in the $240,000 to $360,000 range, but this varies significantly by your down payment, credit score, current debts (using the 28/36 rule), and local interest rates; your total monthly housing costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance) should ideally stay under $1,867 (28% of your gross income). A larger down payment and lower debts allow for a more expensive home, while higher debts or interest rates decrease your purchasing power. 

What is a top 2% salary in the US?

To be in the top 2% of income earners in the U.S., you generally need an income well into the high six figures, with thresholds around $400,000 to over $438,000 depending on the year and data source, often placing you in the top 1-2%, while household income thresholds can be similar or higher, with some sources pointing towards $400k+ to enter the top tiers. 

How much are 26 year olds making?

The BLS groups median salaries by age. The median salary for ages 25-34 in the second quarter of 2024 was $57,356 per year. The median annual salary for workers between the ages of 20 and 24 was $39,104.

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 (the standard 40 hours/week for 52 weeks). This is your gross hourly rate, and your take-home pay will be less after taxes and benefits, but the basic conversion is $33.65/hour for a full-time role. 

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 age is peak earnings?

People generally earn the most money in their late 40s to late 50s, with peak earning years often cited as ages 45-54, though this varies by gender, with men's peak sometimes extending to 50s and women's peaking earlier, around 40-54, but earnings continue to grow and plateau through mid-50s before gradually declining towards retirement. 

What is $40 an hour annually?

$40 an hour is $83,200 annually, assuming a standard 40-hour work week (40 hours/week x 52 weeks/year). This breaks down to about $1,600 weekly, roughly $6,933 monthly, and $320 daily, before taxes and deductions. 

Is 60K considered middle class?

Yes, $60,000 a year generally falls within the middle-income range in the U.S., but whether it's considered "middle class" depends heavily on location (cost of living) and household size, as it can be lower-middle or solid middle class in different areas; for a single person, it's often comfortable, while for a family, it might be tighter, especially in high-cost cities. Pew Research defines middle-income as two-thirds to double the national median income, placing the range around $56,000 to $170,000 (for 2022 data), with $60k fitting at the lower end.
 

Is it better to be salary or hourly?

Neither salary nor hourly is inherently better; it depends on your priorities, with salary offering stability, better benefits (health, PTO, retirement), and consistent pay, while hourly provides flexibility, potential for significant overtime pay (time-and-a-half), and clearer work-life boundaries, though income can fluctuate. Choose salary for security and benefits; choose hourly for control over hours and maximizing pay for extra time worked in demanding fields like hospitality or healthcare.