🇺🇸Income and wealth in United States
A high-income country with one of the widest gaps between typical and top earners.
Higher confidenceIn the United States, a typical income is about $56,000 a year. To reach the top 10%, income is around $160,000+, and an estimated top 1% starts near $620,000+.
Income tiers in United States
The middle of the range. Half earn less, half earn more.
Roughly 75% to 200% of the median, a common way to define the middle.
Above the middle band, up to the start of the top 10%.
Income at or above this level is in roughly the top tenth.
An approximate threshold for the top one percent.
The income ladder
How income climbs from typical to the top, in United States. Shown on a compressed scale so every step stays visible.
Bars use a compressed (logarithmic) scale. USD values are approximate, converted at mid-2024 exchange rates.
How United States compares
A typical income in the United States is many times the global median income, so even middle earners here rank highly worldwide.
See how far that income stretches from New YorkWhere do you stand in United States?
Enter your own income and net worth in Wealth Rank to see your exact percentile here and worldwide.
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Common questions about income in United States
What is a typical income in United States?
A typical (median) income in the United States is about $56,000 per year. Half of earners make less and half make more.
What income is considered middle class in United States?
Middle-class incomes in the United States run roughly from $42,000 to $112,000 a year, about 75% to 200% of the median.
What income puts you in the top 10% in United States?
An income of about $160,000 or more a year is near the top 10% in the United States.
What income puts you in the top 1% in United States?
An estimated $620,000 or more a year places someone near the top 1% in the United States. Top-percentile figures are approximate.
How does income in United States compare to the rest of the world?
A typical income in the United States is many times the global median income, so even middle earners here rank highly worldwide. Worldwide, an income near $200,000 is already in roughly the global top 1%.
Keep exploring
Higher confidence. Based on strong national survey or tax data. Data reflects 2022–2023.
Educational tool: Global Wealth Explorer shows approximate income estimates based on public data from national statistics offices, the World Bank, and published research. Figures are for perspective and learning, not official determinations. Incomes are pre-tax and individual where possible. Amounts are converted to USD at approximate mid-2024 exchange rates for comparison, so dollar figures shift with currency moves.
Sources: US Census Bureau · IRS SOI · Federal Reserve SCF