What income is wealthy?
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.
Americans say they would need to earn $483,000, on average, to feel rich or achieve financial freedom, according to a recent Bankrate survey. That's over eight times the national median income of about $57,200, according to Labor Department data.
Upper-middle class: $94,001 – $153,000. Upper class: greater than $153,000.
According to Schwab's 2023 Modern Wealth Survey, Americans perceive an average net worth of $2.2 million as wealthy. Knight Frank's research indicates that a net worth of $4.4 million is required to be in the top 1% in America, a figure much higher than in countries like Japan, the U.K. and Australia.
Upper middle class: Anyone with earnings in the 60th to 80th percentile would be considered upper middle class. Those in the upper middle class have incomes between $89,745 and $149,131. Upper class: Finally, the upper class is the top 20% of earners and they have incomes of $149,132 or higher.
A $100,000 salary is considered good in most parts of the country, and can cover typical expenses, pay down debt, build savings, and allow for entertainment and hobbies. According to the U.S. Census, only 15.3% of American households make more than $100,000 annually.
Many have graduate degrees with educational attainment serving as the main distinguishing feature of this class. Household incomes commonly exceed $100,000, with some smaller one-income earners household having incomes in the high 5-figure range. "The upper middle class has grown...and its composition has changed.
For a single individual, $100,000 would actually put you in the upper-income level in most places. For household sizes between two and four, $100,000 a year would put you squarely in the middle class.
According to our extensive research: 18% of individual Americans make over $100k per year. 34.4% of US households make over $100k per year.
One way some researchers divide individuals into economic classes is by looking at their incomes. From that data, they split earners into different classes: poor, lower-middle class, middle class, upper-middle class and wealthy.
What is considered wealthy in 2024?
You need more money than ever to enter the ranks of the top 1% of the richest Americans. To join the club of the wealthiest citizens in the U.S., you'll need at least $5.8 million, up about 15% up from $5.1 million one year ago, according to global real estate company Knight Frank's 2024 Wealth Report.
Household wealth or net worth is the value of assets owned by every member of the household minus their debt. The terms are used interchangeably in this report. Assets include owned homes, vehicles, financial accounts, retirement accounts, stocks, bonds and mutual funds, and more.
Top 5% wealth: The next tier, the top 5%, has a net worth of around $1.03 million. Top 10% wealth: The top 10% of the population has a net worth of approximately $854,900.
| Bracket | Average annual wges |
|---|---|
| Top 0.1% | $3,212,486 |
| Top 1% | $823,763 |
| Top 5% | $342,987 |
| Top 10% | $173,176 |
| State | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| California | $74,917 | $36.02 |
| South Carolina | $74,476 | $35.81 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,878 | $35.52 |
| New Jersey | $73,726 | $35.45 |
But data from the U.S. Census Bureau cites a different number as the average salary: just under $75,000. What does this all mean? By the Census data, it means that if you earn between $50,000 and $150,000 a year, you are considered middle class.
Some of the best data I can find indicates there are 1,821,745 households that have investment portfolios valued at $3,000,000 or more1. This means roughly 1 out of every 63+ households.
A minority of Americans make over $100,000 a year. According to Zippia, roughly 33.6% of Americans make six figures annually. And 15% of those earn between $100,000 to $150,000.
How much does a Six Figures make in California? As of Apr 13, 2024, the average annual pay for the Six Figures jobs category in California is $96,178 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $46.24 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,849/week or $8,014/month.
Middle class: Those in the 40th to 60th percentile of household income, ranging from $55,001 to $89,744. Upper middle class: Households in the 60th to 80th percentile, with incomes between $89,745 and $149,131. Upper class: The top 20% of earners, with household incomes of $149,132 or more.
What should my net worth be at 55?
| Age Range | 75th Percentile Net Worth |
|---|---|
| Under 35 | $153,000 |
| 35-44 | $415,000 |
| 45-54 | $800,000 |
| 55-64 | $1.122 million |
There are three U.S. cities where people making a $150,000 income qualify as lower middle class and two of them are in California, according to recent research from GOBankingRates.
"It depends on where you live as well — $100,000 in New York City or San Francisco is not amazing, but in the middle of Alabama? Pretty decent. Also, it depends on your spending and saving levels. If you earn $100,000 and spend $110,000 on Pog collectibles, you aren't going to be getting ahead financially, either."
“With a nest egg of $100,000, that would only cover two years of expenses without considering any additional income sources like Social Security,” Ross explained. “So, while it's not impossible, it would likely require a very frugal lifestyle and additional income streams to be comfortable.”
For many people, it would be considered above average, good, or even great, depending on their income and financial goals.
