Top earners across the United States earn at least six figures, with an average income of over $160,000 for those in the top 10% in 2021. Earners in the top 1% need to make $1 million annually in states like California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington.
A high-income economy is defined by the World Bank as a country with a gross national income per capita of US$14,005 or more in 2023, calculated using the Atlas method.
Moving into 2025, here's how it stands:
Anyone making more than that per year (and this is net, not gross) is in the top 50% of earners in the UK. The top 5% earn £7,251 per month or more. That's shockingly only £87,012 per year. Anyone making a six-figure salary is in the top 5%.
The real median household income in the U.S. is around $75,000, according to Census Bureau. In order to be in the top 20% of income, you'd need to earn nearly double that amount or an average of $130,545 per year. That's according to a SmartAsset study of income distributions in the 100 largest U.S. cities.
Facts and Stats About Americans Making More Than Six Figures (Editor's Choice): 13% of American workers aged 15 and above made more than 100k in 2021. The annual income of over 34% of American households exceeds $100,000. In the five years to 2022, American households earning over $100,000 a year increased by 2.9%.
To be considered a really top earner in the U.S., we could take the IRS' benchmark on what the top 1% of Americans earn—above $540,009 puts you in the top 1% of earners from a tax perspective. The Economic Policy Institute though, believes that to be in the top 1% of earners you need to earn $819,324 a year.
The World Bank classifies economies for analytical purposes into four income groups: low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high income.
The IRS defines a highly compensated employee according to the following criteria: Officers making over $160,000 in 2025 (up from $155,000 for 2024) Owners holding more than 5% of the stock or capital. Owners earning over $155,000 in 2024, not adjusted for inflation, (up from $150,000 in 2023) and holding more than 1%
In 2022, the national middle-income range was about $56,600 to $169,800 annually for a household of three. Lower-income households had incomes less than $56,600, and upper-income households had incomes greater than $169,800. (Incomes are calculated in 2022 dollars.)
Rich retirees: In the 90th percentile, with net worth starting at $1.9 million, this group has much more financial freedom and is able to afford luxuries and legacy planning.
High-income earners typically have a household income in the range of $200,000 and above. This could be dual-income professionals or someone in a lucrative field. Physicians, dentists, vets, engineers, business owners, and lawyers often fall into this category.
Only 18% of individual Americans make more than $100,000 a year, according to 2023 data from careers website Zippia. About 34% of U.S. households earn more than $100,000 a year, according to Zippia.
Global income satiation levels are the following: $95,000 for “life evaluation” and $60,000 to $75,000 for “emotional well-being.” In North America, the income satiation level is $105,000 for finding happiness, according to Purdue.
Reaching the $4,516/capita GDP to cap the year just passed 2024, is a cherished wish of the Planning Secretary and of the whole nation. The upper middle-income standard ranges from $4,516 to $14,005 per capita.
adjective. 1. (of a person) earning a higher than average income. 2. (of a financial instrument) providing a higher than average income.
Middle class is defined as income that is two-thirds to double the national median income, or $47,189 and $141,568. By that definition, $100,000 is considered middle class. Keep in mind that those figures are for the nation. Each state has a different range of numbers to be considered middle class.
Probably 1 in every 20 families have a net worth exceeding $3 Million, but most people's net worth is their homes, cars, boats, and only 10% is in savings, so you would typically have to have a net worth of $30 million, which is 1 in every 1000 families.
While there's no definitive line, households in the top 20% of earners are generally considered upper class. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in 2022 was $74,580. To reach the upper class in 2024, you'd typically need an income exceeding $153,000 – more than double the national median.
It may surprise you to know that making 6 figures is hardly the norm in the US—even on the lower end of the range. According to the US Census, about 16% of American households make between $100,000 and $149,999, 9% of households make between $150,000 and $199,999, and another 12% earn $200,000 or more.
The answer is yes. There's a city in every state where that much money allows for comfortable living. GOBankingRates analyzed data from several sources, including AreaVibes, Sperling's Best Places and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, to compile the best places to live on a $100,000 salary in each state.