What is the average salary of the average American?

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.

What is the average American salary?

In the BLS' survey sample of 60,000 US households, men earn a median wage of $1,307 per week or $67,964 per year. By comparison, women earn a median wage of $1,096 per week, or $56,992 per year—almost 20% less than men.

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.

What salary is middle class?

A middle-class salary is a wide range, generally defined as two-thirds to double the national or local median household income, which shifts significantly with location and household size, but nationally often falls between roughly $52,000 and $155,000, with figures varying greatly by city, like San Jose's $90k-$272k range.
 

What salary is considered poor class?

A widely used federal guideline defines low income as $15,650 annually for one person and $32,150 for a family of four in 2025.

Average Salary in the U.S. 2025 💰 How does YOUR income compare?

What salary is considered wealthy?

Being "wealthy" varies, but generally, Americans see it as a very high income, with surveys suggesting around $480k-$500k+ annually to be rich/financially free, while statistics place the top 1% around $700k-$800k+ and the top 5% around $250k-$500k+, depending on location and data source, but it also depends heavily on lifestyle and location.
 

What is a liveable salary in the US?

The national median household income is $80,610 according to the most recent Census data. But in the largest U.S. cities, a single adult needs at least $85,000 to sustain a comfortable lifestyle while a family of four requires nearly $200,000. Indianapolis is least expensive for an adult to live comfortably.

What is considered a high earner?

A high earner is generally someone with an individual income of $150k+ or a household income of $250k+, but it's relative, often meaning the top 10-20% in a given area, with "HENRYs" (High Earners, Not Rich Yet) earning $250k-$500k feeling stretched despite high income due to costs. Factors like location (high COL areas need more), lifestyle, and household size drastically change what's considered "high". 

How many Americans make 6 figures?

Roughly 18% to 25% of American adults earn a six-figure income (over $100,000 annually), though this varies by source and demographic, with higher percentages among prime working ages (35-44) and men, while roughly 34% of U.S. households reach this income level. Specific data shows about 17% of households make $100k-$149k, 9.5% make $150k-$199k, and 14% make $200k+, totaling around 40% for households at or above $100k. 

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.
 

How is Social Security calculated for 35 years?

Social Security uses your highest 35 years of earnings, adjusted for inflation, to calculate your benefit, finding your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) by summing these years and dividing by 420 (35 years x 12 months). This AIME is then put into a formula with "bend points" (e.g., 90%, 32%, 15% for 2026) to determine your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is the base for your monthly benefit, with lower earners getting a higher percentage replacement. If you have fewer than 35 years, zero-earning years are included in the average, lowering your benefit. 

What are the best side hustles?

The best side hustles depend on your skills, but top options include freelancing (writing, web design) on platforms like Upwork/Fiverr, digital creations (courses, printables, YouTube), e-commerce (dropshipping, selling crafts on Etsy, reselling), local services (pet care, tutoring, cleaning, driving for rideshare/delivery), and renting assets (spare room, car). Consider your interests, time, and potential for passive income to find your ideal fit, with options ranging from quick cash to long-term business building. 

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.

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. 

What is considered a middle class job?

Middle-class jobs are diverse, encompassing skilled trades, technical roles, administrative positions, and professions requiring degrees, defined more by achieving a stable, comfortable income (typically $50k-$150k+, depending on location/family size) and benefits than a specific job title, with examples like nurses, teachers, engineers, skilled trades (plumbers, electricians), IT professionals, accountants, and managers, often requiring post-secondary education or specialized training. 

What percentage of white Americans make over 100k?

Household income distribution in the U.S. 2024, by race and ethnicity. In 2024, about 44.7 percent of White households in the United States had an annual median income of over 100,000 U.S. dollars.

What habits do rich people have?

Rich people habits often center on discipline, continuous learning, and smart financial management, focusing on long-term growth by living below their means, investing consistently, avoiding debt, setting clear goals, networking, prioritizing health (sleep, exercise, nutrition), and developing an abundance mindset, while avoiding impulsive spending and excessive screen time. They focus on creating multiple income streams and mastering their time, often through early mornings and efficient planning.
 

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.

What salary is $40 an hour?

$40 an hour is an annual salary of $83,200, calculated by multiplying $40 by 40 hours per week and then by 52 weeks in a year ($40 x 40 x 52). This breaks down to about $6,933 per month, $3,200 bi-weekly, and $1,600 weekly, before taxes and deductions. 

What is the best state to live in financially?

There's no single "best" state, as it depends on your priorities (low taxes vs. high wages), but Washington, Texas, Florida, Utah, and New Hampshire consistently rank high due to no income tax, strong economies, or low cost of living, with states like Arkansas, Alabama, and Tennessee offering very affordable options if budget is key. Key factors are state income tax, housing costs, job market strength, and overall affordability. 

How many Americans have $2 million in the bank?

Only about 1.8% of U.S. households have $2 million or more in retirement savings, a figure from the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) using Federal Reserve data (2022 Survey of Consumer Finances). This places them in a very small minority, with even fewer (0.8%) reaching $3 million in retirement funds, highlighting that significant wealth accumulation for retirement is rare for most Americans. 

What is considered well off?

Being "well-off" means having enough financial resources for a comfortable life, often defined by a high income, significant net worth (around $2.5 million for wealthy, $800k for comfortable per American surveys), low debt, and financial freedom, but it's subjective and varies by location and individual perspective, with some defining it by financial security rather than just high income. 

How do you know if someone is rich?

You can tell if someone is rich by observing subtle behaviors and lifestyle choices, not just flashy items, such as a calm approach to expenses, valuing time and experiences over possessions, financial literacy, understated style (quality over logos), and a lack of talking about money, as true wealth often manifests as freedom and quiet confidence rather than overt displays. They focus on long-term investments and financial education, not just status symbols.