Economists and pollsters in the United States generally define "working class" adults as those lacking a college degree, rather than by occupation or income. Other definitions refer to those in blue-collar occupations, despite the considerable range in required skills and income among such occupations.
What qualifies as working or middle class varies from region to region, but country-wide, a salary of $30,000–$90,000 qualifies a single individual as middle class, with incomes below that range falling into the working class. Homer Simpson is working class.
For the purposes of this article, those with an income in the bottom 20 percentile will be identified as lower class, followed by lower-middle class (up to 40th percentile), middle class (up to 60th percentile), upper-middle class (up to 80th percentile) with the remainder considered upper class.
Working-class occupations can be categorized into four groups: unskilled labourers, artisans, outworkers, and factory workers.
Individuals in the lower-middle class tend to hold low status professional or white collar jobs, such as school teacher, nurse, or paralegal. The lower-middle class is among the largest social classes, rivaled only by the working class, and it is thought to be growing.
There are various examples of work done in our day-to-day life. For example, an ox pulling a plough in a piece of land, a man pushing a cart in a mall, a student putting his school bag on his shoulder, and many more. In general, work requires the application of a force that causes the thing to move.
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. Don't Miss: Are you rich?
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. The top 5% of income earners make $335,891 per year.
According to the most recent report issued in January 2023, the poverty threshold for a family of four is $29,960. For an individual, the poverty threshold is $14,891. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issues its poverty guidelines based on the Census Bureau's poverty thresholds.
Working Class Salary in California. $65,100 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $86,800 is the 75th percentile.
But generally, doctors are what you'd consider upper middle class.
The Bottom Line
There is no official financial standard for what constitutes middle class. For most it's more about a standard of living—including owning a home, being able to afford to pay for a college education for your kids, and having enough disposable income to take a family vacation.
Middle-income households – those with an income that is two-thirds to double the U.S. median household income – had incomes ranging from about $56,600 to $169,800 in 2022. Lower-income households had incomes less than $56,600, and upper-income households had incomes greater than $169,800.
According to the data, the middle-class household income averages across the U.S. ranged between $52,000 and $98,500 in 2024. But the study also found that the income levels required to be considered middle-class varied significantly depending on where a person lived.
What Is the Working Class? "Working class" is a socioeconomic term used to describe persons in a social class marked by jobs that provide low pay, require limited skill, or physical labor. Typically, working-class jobs have reduced education requirements.
$520,000. That's how much income Americans think they would need, on average, to feel rich, according to Bankrate's Financial Freedom Survey published in July. That salary would put you comfortably among the top 2% of American earners, according to Census data.
Regarding net worth, having $1 million in liquid assets often puts you in the 'high net worth' category. But if you want to be considered very high net worth, you might need anywhere from $5 million to $10 million. For those aiming even higher, ultrahigh net worth status could mean having $30 million or more.
$150k a year would afford you a decent LA lifestyle. You should be able to secure comfortable living accommodations and live reasonably well. Buying a house would be your major investment along with a vehicle.
The New York Times has used income quintiles to define class. It has assigned the quintiles from lowest to highest as lower class, lower middle class, middle class, upper middle class, and upper class. These definitions equate class with income, permitting people to move from class to class as their income changes.
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In 2024, Americans stated that the average net worth they consider “wealthy” is $2.5 million.
Work is defined as the product of an external force acting on an object and the displacement the force has caused. It is considered as a measure of energy that's transferring in or out of an object, and it can either be positive, negative, or even zero.
They need money for food, for rent, and to have fun with their friends and family. Independence. Money isn't the only reason to work. Working can also give you more independence and more control over your own life.
The term “working class” often typically describes members of the labor force that hold a service-type occupation and do not hold a bachelor's degree. Common working class occupations include restaurant employees, auto mechanics, construction workers, and other service-type workers.