What is a good salary in the US?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage across all occupations in 2021 was $58,260 [1]. For a person living in Phoenix, Arizona, where the median wage is $56,610, earning above the national average may be considered very good.
What is a Good Salary in the US? A good salary in the US depends on various factors, but generally, a comfortable standard of living is attainable with an annual income of around $70,000 to $100,000 for a single individual.
| Annual household income in U.S. dollars | Percentage of U.S. households |
|---|---|
| 35,000 to 49,999 | 10.6% |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 16.2% |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12.3% |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16.4% |
With that being said, here are the top 10%, top 5%, and top 1% of household incomes in the United States (in 2022): Top 10% = $248,610. Top 5% = $390,209. Top 1% = $1,199,812.
The median salary for ages 25-34 in the second quarter of 2023 is $54,184 per year. And the median salary for individuals ages 20-24 is $37,024 per year. You may notice that the BLS data shows a bigger jump in salary between these two age brackets than the other age ranges.
A $100,000 salary is considered good in most parts of the country, and can cover typical expenses, pay down debt, build savings, and allow for entertainment and hobbies. According to the U.S. Census, only 15.3% of American households make more than $100,000 annually.
Middle class: The middle class is officially those whose earnings put them in the 40th to 60th percentile of household income. The income range is $55,001 to $89,744. Upper middle class: Anyone with earnings in the 60th to 80th percentile would be considered upper middle class.
Based on that figure, an annual income of $500,000 or more would make you rich. The Economic Policy Institute uses a different baseline to determine who constitutes the top 1% and the top 5%. For 2021, you're in the top 1% if you earn $819,324 or more each year.
If you're earning $75,000 each year, you're doing a bit better than half the country. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in 2021 stood at $70,784, so that extra $4,216 puts you in the upper 50 percent of earners.
The SmartAsset report found that the average income to maintain a “comfortable lifestyle” rose by 20 percent between 2022 and 2023, from $57,013 to $68,499 in take-home pay, in the 25 largest metro areas.
What is considered wealthy in retirement?
Americans consider a net worth of $2.2 million to be wealthy, according to the 2023 Modern Wealth Survey by Charles Schwab, which surveyed 1,000 people ages 21 to 75 throughout the country.
| Age of family head (or reference person) | Median net worth | Average net worth |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 35 | $39,000 | $183,500 |
| 35-44 | $135,600 | $549,600 |
| 45-54 | $247,200 | $975,800 |
| 55-64 | $364,500 | $1,566,900 |
The top 10% of household incomes starts at $191,406, the top 5% at $290,406, and the top 1% at $867,436. Those are the nationwide numbers, but they also vary considerably if you account for other factors, such as age or location.
The median salary of 20- to 24-year-olds is $706 per week, which translates to $36,712 per year. Many Americans start out their careers in their 20s and don't earn as much as they will once they reach their 30s. For Americans ages 25 to 34, the median salary is $1,003 per week or $52,156 per year.
Is 30 Dollars an Hour a Good Wage? 30 dollars an hour can be a good wage if you don't live in a high-cost area and you're single. However, if you're married, have kids, or live in a high-cost area, you might need an additional income from your spouse or to supplement with a side hustle.
Just because you make six digits doesn't mean you don't feel a squeeze. Breaking the $100,000 mark puts you well above the median U.S. household income, but as the cost of living creeps higher and higher, even high earners are finding it more difficult to reach their financial goals.
If you earn a $200,000 salary, you're in the top 10% of earners in the United States. Of course, all of that won't show up in your bank account. Taxes will take a big bite out of your take-home pay.
$100,000 a year is how much an hour? If you make $100,000 a year, your hourly salary would be $48.08.
In California's Bay Area of San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley, families making between $77,000 and $232,000 are considered middle class. For California's Inland Empire region of Riverside, San Bernardino and Ontario, the range falls between $51,000 and $154,000.
Most people in the upper-middle class strata are highly educated white collar professionals such as physicians, dentists, lawyers, accountants, engineers, military officers, economists, urban planners, university professors, architects, stockbrokers, psychologists, scientists, actuaries, optometrists, physical ...
What is working class income?
A Working Class in your area makes on average $1,523 per week, or the same as the national average weekly salary of $1,522. California ranks number 19 out of 50 states nationwide for Working Class salaries.
For this reason, I don't just consider $200k a year to be good income, but a very good income. Even if you reside in a high cost of living area like Manhattan, $200k a year would put you in the top 25% of households according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
In December 2022, 51% of people who earn more than $100,000 reported living paycheck to paycheck, which is 7% more than the previous year, according to a survey from financial insight and advising companies PYMNTS and Lending Club.
$300,000 Feels Like A Middle-Class Income
Psychologically, earning $300,000 feels OK because it puts the household in the top 10% of household income earners. But making $300,000 feels like a middle-class income due to how little cash flow is left. A household needs to earn $470,000+ to be in the top 1% in 2022-2023.
Can I afford a 300K house on a 70K salary? You can afford a $300K house on a 70K salary. You might need some down payment assistance, and potentially use up to 40% of your monthly income to make your mortgage payments, but it can be done.
