Here, we discuss the average and median earnings of U.S. people divided by age. Income levels may vary by age group in different regions. Young workers are often paid less when they enter the workforce. While middle-career workers earn more, late-career workers may shift to other earning platforms. To know about the earnings of people of different ages, looking at the average and mean value helps. The data may change according to the region and individual factors.
Median and Average Earnings by Age
Median Weekly or Full-Time Earnings by Age
From a data source called the BLS( Bureau of Labor Statistics), data in the second quarter of 2025 shows:
- From age 16-19: median weekly earnings for full-time workers are $ 640.
- For age 25-34: median weekly earnings are $782.
- For age 35-44: median weekly earnings are around $ 1,351.
- Age 45-54: median ranges about $ 1,362/week.
- Age 55-64: median is $1,296/week.
- Age more than 65: the median is about $1,198/week.
From the data above, we can learn that earnings gradually increase in the early 30s and level off in the 40 to 50 age group. Then we can see a shift for older people.
Median or Average Earnings by Age Ranges (Broader)
From another source, the third quarter of 2024 median weekly earnings for full-time workers are:
- From age 16 to 19: median is approximately $633 per week and $ 32,916 for a year.
- From age 20 to 24: the median is about $778 per week and $ 40,456 for a year.
- Age 25 to 34: median is $ 1,107 per week and $57,564 per year.
- Age 35 to 44: median is $ 1,301 per week and $ 67,652 per year.
- Age 45 to 54: median is approximately $1,339 per week and $69,628 per year.
- Age 55 to 64: median is $ 1,268 per week and $ 65,936 per year.
Median Individual Earnings by Specific Age
A third source, called DQYDJ, gives median and average incomes at a single age for individuals.
- For the age group 25, the median is approximately $41,150, and the average is about $50,484.
- For Age 30: the median is about $ 52,002, and averages $68,740.93
- Age 35: median ranges to $60,000, and the average is approximately $ 82,949.77
- Age 45: median is about $67,144, and average is approximately $ 95,612.79
- Age 55: median is approximately $67,144, and average is about $90,986.23.
Also read: Average Net Worth by Age in 2025: USA, UK, Canada, India & UAE
Household Median Earnings by Age of Householder
By looking at the age of householders and households, the data shows:
- Under the age group of 25, the median income is about $ 43,534.
- Between the ages of 25 to 44, the income is approximately $87,575.
- Age 45 to 64, the income is about $94,847.
- For those aged above 65 years, the median ranges to $57,108.
This explains that household earnings increase while people are in their family-forming years, and decrease after 65 years due to retirement.
Median Income of Specific Groups Aged 23,25,30
Let’s take some specific ages:
Age – 23
Based on the median/average age table, the median income of a 23-year-old is approximately $32,000, and the average is about $39,387. An income above that range, about $50 to 60k, makes you above typical for that age.
Age – 25
At the age of 25, the median income is around $41,150, and the average is approximately $50,484.
Age – 30
At the age of 30, the median is about $52,000, and the average is approximately $68,700.
Age 35 and Beyond
At the age of 35, the median is around $60,000, and the average is about $83,000. In the mid-30s is when most workers get high earnings. After 35, you may get more.
Good Salary by Age
The good salary range for an individual varies upon his lifestyle. But according to the median data:
- For a 23-year-old, a median of $ 50,000 is considered good.
- For a 25-year-old, $50,000 to 60,000 is considered above median.
- For a 30-year-old, $70,000 is quite strong, and $50,000 is more typical.
- For the age group 35 to 54, the median annual income is around the range of $67,000 to 70,000, which is good relative to peers.
If you live in a high-cost region like NYC and San Francisco, an income of $100k may be average. Conversely, living in a low-cost region, $50,000 is enough.
Variation Based on Gender, Education, and State/Region
Gender
There is a small pay gap between men and women. In the age group of 35 to 44, the median weekly earnings of men are approximately $1,488 and $1,205 for women.
Education
People with a Bachelor’s degree typically earn more than high school students. So, a graduate aged 25 earns above the median for their age if they are full-time employees.
Region/State
Income may vary depending on the geography due to the cost of living and other factors. For example, the average salary by age in New Jersey and North Carolina would differ.
Good Yearly Income
Taking the national median benchmarks as a reference:
- If you are in your early 20s, earning more than the median for your age is pretty good. For example, if the median at age 25 is around $ 41,000, then earning $50,000 is considered good.
- If you are in your 30s with a median about $50,000 to 60,000 and $70,000 for full-time workers, then an income of more than $80,000 is good.
- For the age group of 35 to 44, the median is around $ 70,000 per year for full-time, so $90,000 is comparatively better in many places.
- Remember that good and adequate depend on the region you are living in.
- For a household with 2 earners and more dependents, you need a high-earning job. In the year 2023, the median household income was $80,610. If your household earns more than that, you are considered above the median.
Also read: What is Net Worth? How to Calculate & Grow Your Wealth!
Considering Special Cases
- Individuals starting their jobs often earn less. For example, the median annual earnings of those aged 20 to 24 are about $782,000, based on SmartAsset.
- Median is taken as a better measure than average. Because high earners usually pump up the average.
- People in their late 50s are seen as reducing their full-time work, shifting to part-time work, or retiring. That reduces the earnings in that age group.
- The numbers in the above data are individual earnings or salaries of workers. Not taken all forms of income, like investments and business incomes.
- Two 30-year-olds can have different incomes based on the field, region, etc, in which they are working.
Net Worth all Together: A Roadmap by Age
According to the national U.S benchmarks:
- For the late teens, 16 to 19, median annual earnings are $33,000. The earnings are from jobs, part-time, and internships.
- For the age group 20 to 24, the median annual earnings are $40,000. Many of them are graduates and early in their careers.
- At the age of 25, the Median is around $41,000, and the average is about $50,000 for individuals. For the full-time workers median is approximately $57,000. Higher earnings suggest above-average.
- For the age group of 25 to 34, the Median for full-time work is around $57,000. Individuals’ median is about $45,000 to $50,000, and the average is $63,000 to 68,000. Earnings of more than $70,000 are considered strong.
- For the age group, 35 to 44, the Median for full-time work is $67,000 per year. Median for individuals is $67,000, and the average is around $ 95,000. So, earnings of more than $90,000 are strong.
- In the late career of the age group 55 to 64, the median is around $65,900 per year for full-time work. The individual median is approximately $63,000, and the average is $91,000. Earnings above the range of 90,000 are strong, but many of them retire or reduce their work.
- For the age group above 65 (full-time workers), the median is around $62,000 per year. Average earnings numbers may vary because many may reduce their work.
Average Income in Regions like Chicago, New Jersey, and North Carolina
Some considerations about the regions are given below:
- For the high-cost-of-living region like the New Jersey and New York metro, the good salary threshold is way bigger than the national median. The earnings in those areas are above average compared to the nationwide earnings.
- In a low-cost-of-living region like North Carolina, earning of average nationwide income can afford a high standard of living.
- In the city of Chicago, metro wages affect the cost of living. The fact is that jobs in finance, tech, and professional services pay more in the city. So, the competition is higher.
We can get state-specific data for comparison of average income by age in states like New Jersey and North Carolina.
To Keep in Mind
- Median is better than the average for getting a “typical” for your age.
- If you are in your early 20s earning above than your peers, you are doing good. It is considered ok if you are earning below the national median for elderly people because you are in a growing stage.
- If you are in your early 30s and your earnings are very much below the median for your age, evaluate your career path. Check whether your job will provide good growth, or if you can get a promotion in that field.
- Focus on the salary and benefits, living costs in your region, and your savings and investments. Don’t just compare the raw numbers alone.
- Look for a leap from average to above average. Try to move to higher-pay regions.
- Always aim for your salary growth. Move with an expected pattern like rising through your early 30s and peaking in the age group of 35 to 54, and lastly prepare for the transition roles in your last stage of career.
Limitations and Things to Watch
- The data constitutes different fields and experience levels. The individual outcomes can vary.
- Similar age doesn’t guarantee the same pay. It depends on various factors, including education, professionalism, job field, region, skills, and work hours, among others.
- People may take career breaks or part-time shifts, which affects the average or median for that particular age group.
- The data given are U.S national averages. They do not capture the living costs or other region-wise tax burdens.
- A good salary concept depends upon your expenses, region, savings goals, and money management.
Building Income Over Time
Income stats give you an overview of what people earn. The financial progress of a person heavily depends on the consistency in skill growth, financial planning, and adaptability. The best way to get a high income over time is to seek promotion in the job or switch to better industries as your experience increases. Statistics show that employees who switch jobs are likely to get higher salaries compared to those who remain in the same position for a long time.
Investing in education helps workers a lot. They can get a salary hike with their specialized certifications and professional degrees, mainly in fields like technology, finance, and healthcare.
Look beyond the salary, like bonuses, provident fund, and health insurance. This will add up your total compensation. Always look for these types of hidden advantages also.
To sum up, remember to align the income growth with money management. Save and invest wisely. Control the lifestyle inflation, which will result in an income rise into long-lasting wealth and financial freedom.
Summary
To summarize, for a twenty-year-old in the U.S., earning about $40,000 to 50,000 will get you above the median. As you enter your 30s, earning above $60,000 to $80,000 will put you above your typical peers. In the age of 40 to 50s, median earnings for full-time workers of more than $90,000 are above the typical. The earlier you overcome the median of your age group, the better the possibility of financial freedom.
Also read: What Is Net Worth of Company? Meaning, Formula & Example Explained
FAQs
According to BLS data, the median annual income for full-time workers in the U.S. ranges from $33,000 for ages 16–19 to $65,900 for ages 55–64, peaking in the 45–54 age group.
A salary between $50,000 and $60,000 is considered above the median for a 25-year-old full-time worker in 2025.
The average income for workers aged 30–34 is around $68,000 per year, while the median is approximately $52,000.
Many workers reduce working hours or retire after age 55, leading to a drop in full-time earnings despite years of experience.
Workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher earn significantly more than those with only a high school diploma—often 30–50% higher in mid-career.
The median income represents the middle point — half of workers earn more, and half earn less. The average income can be higher because it’s influenced by very high earners, making the median a more accurate reflection of typical earnings.
As of 2025, the 45–54 age group typically earns the highest median income, averaging around $68,000–$72,000 annually, due to peak experience and career stability.
Yes. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that men generally earn about 15–18% more than women across most age groups, though the gap is narrowing with time and education equality.
Salaries vary widely by state and city. For instance, workers in California, New York, and Massachusetts earn 20–30% more than the national median, while states like Mississippi or West Virginia have lower median incomes.
In 2025, the average annual income for a 40-year-old American is approximately $70,000, while the median income is around $58,000, depending on education, occupation, and location.
A “good” salary in 2025 depends on your living area, but generally, earning above $75,000 per year is considered financially comfortable for a single person in most U.S. cities.
You can grow your income by upskilling, switching to higher-paying industries, negotiating raises, and investing in retirement accounts and side income sources like freelancing or real estate.
After age 50, career growth stabilizes, and some employees prioritize work-life balance or early retirement. Health and job shifts also contribute to slower income growth.
In 2025, median incomes roughly break down as follows:
High School Diploma: $42,000
Bachelor’s Degree: $68,000
Master’s Degree: $80,000
Doctorate/Professional Degree: $100,000+
Even if nominal income rises, inflation can reduce purchasing power. Adjusting for inflation, the real median income may stay flat or decrease depending on economic trends.
According to Census projections, the median household income in 2025 is estimated to be around $78,000–$80,000, up slightly from 2024 due to moderate wage growth.
Remote work has expanded access to higher-paying jobs across states, helping employees in smaller cities earn 10–20% more by working for companies based in higher-cost areas.
Most median income reports from the BLS focus on full-time workers, but including part-time workers lowers the national median income by 15–25%.
Professions in technology, healthcare, finance, and engineering show the strongest income growth potential across all age groups in 2025.
Married individuals often report higher median household incomes due to dual earnings and shared expenses, with a gap of around 30%–40% compared to single earners.
