What is a good salary in AZ?

A good salary in Arizona varies, but for a single person in a major city like Phoenix, expect $60,000 to over $100,000+ for a comfortable life, with studies suggesting around $101k-$108k for "happiness" or achieving the "American Dream," while average salaries hover lower ($50k-$70k). For families, numbers rise significantly (e.g., $238k+ for a family of four in Phoenix), but it's lower in less expensive areas like Tucson.

What is considered a good salary in Arizona?

A salary in the range of $50,000 to $75,000 is generally considered comfortable for a single person in Arizona. High-paying fields like technology and healthcare can offer salaries reaching up to $120,000, while more common roles such as administrative assistants typically earn around $40,000 to $50,000.

What is considered high income in AZ?

The threshold for being in the top 5% of filers for adjusted gross income in the Grand Canyon State was $241,309 in 2022 (23rd in the U.S.), and the cutoff for the top 10% was $167,425 (26th in the U.S.) Those thresholds put 158,598 Arizonans in the top 5% and 317,197 in the top 10% in 2022.

Is 100K a good salary in Arizona?

Yes, $100k is a very good salary in Arizona, putting you well above the state's average ($~53k) and median incomes, offering a comfortable lifestyle for singles and a solid middle-class income for families, though cost of living varies by city (Phoenix/Mesa feel like $71k-$74k, says SmartAsset). It's considered an upper-income level for individuals and provides significant financial flexibility for most Arizonans, especially outside of very high-cost-of-living areas. 

What is a livable wage in AZ?

A livable wage in Arizona varies, but for a single adult, it's around $25/hour ($50,804/year) to cover basic needs, while a family of four needs significantly more, potentially over $30/hour per adult or around $127k annually for two working adults. This covers essential costs like housing, food, childcare, and transport, with figures differing by location (e.g., Phoenix vs. Tucson) and family size, but generally exceeding the state's $15.15/hour minimum wage (as of 2026).
 

Average Salary in Scottsdale, AZ | How Much Do People Earn in Scottsdale?

Is $100,000 the new middle class?

Yes, $100k often falls within the traditional middle-income range by national standards, but it increasingly feels less like a comfortable middle-class life due to higher costs of living and inflation, often placing it at the lower end of the "upper-middle class" or making it feel tighter for families in expensive areas, leading some to say it's the new "barely getting by". 

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 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.

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. 

What is the wealthiest part of Arizona?

The richest part of Arizona is overwhelmingly Paradise Valley, a suburb of Phoenix, consistently topping lists for highest median household income and home values, alongside wealthy areas in Scottsdale, Arcadia Proper (Phoenix), and affluent ZIP codes like 85262 in North Scottsdale, all known for luxury living and high-net-worth residents.
 

Is $500,000 upper middle class?

Some sources define the upper middle class as anyone making a lot of money but haven't crossed the threshold to become truly wealthy. These individuals often have a net worth of at least $500,000 to $2 million.

What salary is considered upper class in Arizona?

In Arizona, an upper-class household typically earns well over $200,000, with specific thresholds varying; for a 4-person family, it starts around $216,000, while the top 10% of households earn over $185,000, and the richest areas see mean incomes exceeding $300,000, though the cost of living greatly influences this definition. 

What is a high paying job in Arizona?

High Paying Arizona Jobs

• Dentist. Salary range: $122,100 - $219,900. ...
• Pilot. Salary range: $93,200 - $144,400. ...
• New Home Sales Consultant. Salary range: $71,800 - $139,800. ...
• Telemedicine Nurse Practitioner. Salary range: $100,600 - $139,800. ...
• Cyber Security. Salary range: $103,400 - $139,800. ...
• Pmhnp. ...
• Corporate Finance. ...
• Flight Instructor.

How much does the average person make in AZ?

The average salary in Arizona varies by source, but generally falls in the $53,000 to $63,000 range annually, with median household incomes around $77,000 as of 2023; however, wages differ significantly by location and occupation, with high earners in management and tech making well over $100k, while lower-paying jobs are in food service and maintenance, and cities like Queen Creek and Gilbert boast higher averages than Phoenix or Tucson. 

How many Americans make $80,000 a year?

While exact figures vary, roughly 10-12% of U.S. households earn between $75,000 and $99,999 annually, and around 7-10% earn in the $60,000-$80,000 range, meaning a significant portion of Americans are in or near the $80k income bracket, with median household income in 2024 around $83,730.
 

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. 

What percentage of Americans make over $150,000?

A third of US American families now have an income over $150,000 (adjusted for inflation of course).

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 is considered rich in 2025?

In 2025, Americans generally consider a net worth of around $2.3 million to be "wealthy," though this varies by generation and location, with Baby Boomers setting the bar highest and Gen Z lower, while being "financially comfortable" requires about $839,000. Factors like inflation and high costs make it feel harder to reach these goals, but wealth is often seen less as opulent luxury and more as security, reducing anxiety, covering housing, and ensuring a good retirement. 

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. 

How rare is making 100K a year?

Most Americans Earn Far Less Than $100k

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 is the average salary in the U.S. 2025?

What Is the Average US Salary (2025) The national average salary is $63,795. That is the sum of all incomes divided by the number of workers.