Average Salary in the US by Age
Your Annual Income ($)
Median Annual Income ($) →
Percentile 41.6th
Status Middle
based on median statistics in United States for
| Status: You rank in the middle of this cohort. Focus on maximizing your savings rate and investing the surplus. |
| Helpful Guides | Category | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Improving your US Tax Credits and Incentives | Money | Read Guide → |
US Median Annual Earnings by Age Group
US Census data reveals substantial differences in salary capacity by age group. Earnings peak in mid-career years as leadership roles are assumed.
| Age Group | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Ages 15 to 24 | $42,500 Median |
| Ages 25 to 34 | $63,500 Median |
| Ages 35 to 44 | $81,200 Median |
| Ages 45 to 54 | $84,800 Median |
| Ages 55 to 64 | $79,100 Median |
| Ages 65 and Over | $56,300 Median |
Peak Productivity and the Retirement Slope
The highest earnings window occurs between ages 35 and 54. After age 55, median earnings begin a downward slope as employees transition toward early retirement, phase down to advisory roles, or depart high-stress occupations.
Retirement Target Milestones by Age
- Age 30 Target: Have 1x your current salary saved in retirement assets (401k/IRA).
- Age 40 Target: Target 3x your salary saved to maintain lifestyle expectations.
- Age 50 Target: Target 6x your salary saved as compounding gains enter their final pre-retirement decades.
For further reading on the topics covered here, you can browse our detailed financial guides.
