Average Salary in USA 2025

What Is the Average Salary in the US?

This guide breaks down the average salary in the US for 2025, covering industry, state, experience level, and education so you can benchmark your pay against the typical American worker. Whether you're evaluating a job offer, planning a career change, or simply curious where you stand, these numbers provide essential context.

Before diving in, it helps to understand three related but different measures. The average salary (or mean) adds up all earnings and divides by the number of workers—this figure gets pulled upward by very high earners. The median salary represents the middle earner: half of workers make more, half make less. For most people, median pay is the more useful benchmark because it isn't skewed by outliers. The average wage typically refers to hourly earnings and may include part-time workers, making it harder to compare directly to annual salaries.

All figures in this guide draw from official sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics and verified salary databases, translated into plain language without raw data dumps. You'll learn how your income stacks up nationally, and how factors like industry, location, and career stage shift the numbers. For those aiming higher, our guide to the highest paying jobs in the US covers roles that far exceed these averages.

Key Salary Snapshot for 2025

The typical full-time worker in the US earns around $63,000–$67,000 per year, with a median of approximately $65,470. This represents a modest increase from previous years when adjusted for inflation, though real wage growth has been uneven across industries and regions.

Individual results vary widely. A senior software engineer in San Francisco and an entry-level retail associate in rural Mississippi both count as "full-time workers," yet their earnings differ by hundreds of thousands of dollars. The sections below break down these differences in detail.

Use our salary calculator to convert your hourly wage to annual income, or our hourly to salary converter for quick comparisons.

Average Salary by Industry

Average salaries differ dramatically by industry. Technology, finance, healthcare, and professional services generally pay above the national average, while retail, hospitality, and some service sectors pay below. Understanding these differences helps you evaluate whether your current field offers strong earning potential or whether a career pivot might make financial sense.

High-Paying Sectors

Information and technology lead the pack, with average salaries often 40–80% above the national median. Software engineers, data scientists, and cybersecurity professionals routinely earn six figures, even at mid-career levels. Finance and insurance follow closely, with investment roles, actuaries, and financial managers commanding premium pay. Professional and technical services—consulting, law, accounting—also cluster above average, though with significant variation based on firm size and specialization.

Middle-Range Sectors

Manufacturing, construction, education, and public administration typically cluster around the national average. A skilled machinist or construction manager might earn $60,000–$80,000, roughly in line with median earnings. Teachers and government workers often fall slightly below the private-sector average but benefit from job security, pensions, and generous benefits packages that boost total compensation.

Lower-Paying Sectors

Retail, accommodation, food services, and some personal services pay below average, often relying on hourly wages rather than salaried positions. Average earnings in these sectors typically range from $28,000–$40,000 annually. However, management roles even in these industries can reach or exceed national averages.

Keep in mind that "industry average" includes both executives and entry-level workers. A nurse practitioner and a hospital orderly work in the same industry but earn vastly different incomes.

Average Salary by State and Region

Where you live and work significantly impacts your paycheck. Some states and metro areas offer much higher nominal salaries—but often come with higher costs of living that offset those gains. Understanding regional pay patterns helps you evaluate job offers and decide whether relocating might improve your financial situation.

High-Income Coastal States and Metro Areas

California, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, and New Jersey consistently rank among the highest-paying states, with average salaries 15–35% above the national median. Major metro areas like San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, and Boston push even higher. However, housing costs in these areas can consume 40–60% of take-home pay, significantly reducing real purchasing power.

Mid-Range States

States like Texas, Colorado, Virginia, Illinois, and Minnesota offer salaries roughly in line with national averages—sometimes slightly above in major metros like Dallas, Denver, or Chicago. Cost of living in these areas tends to be moderate, often providing better overall value than high-cost coastal cities. Many workers find that earning $75,000 in Dallas provides a better lifestyle than earning $95,000 in San Francisco.

Lower-Income States

Southern and rural Midwestern states—Mississippi, Arkansas, West Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky—tend to have lower average salaries, often 10–25% below the national median. However, housing and general living costs are significantly lower, meaning your dollar stretches further. A $50,000 salary in rural Tennessee may provide similar purchasing power to $70,000 in a major metro.

For state-specific wage floors, see our guide to minimum wage by state. If you work remotely, explore how location-based pay policies might affect your earnings when working from a lower-cost area.

Average Salary by Experience and Education

Experience and education both influence earnings, though their effects vary by industry and role. Understanding these patterns helps you set realistic expectations at different career stages and evaluate whether additional credentials might boost your income.

Experience Level

Entry-level workers (0–3 years) typically earn below the national average—often $35,000–$50,000 depending on field. Mid-career professionals (5–15 years) usually reach or exceed the median, with many earning $55,000–$85,000. Senior and executive-level workers (15+ years) can earn significantly more, though this varies dramatically by industry. A senior software engineer might earn $180,000 while a senior retail manager earns $65,000.

The steepest salary growth typically occurs in the first 10–15 years of a career. After that, increases often slow unless you move into management, develop highly specialized skills, or change industries.

Education Level

Higher education generally correlates with higher earnings. Workers with bachelor's degrees earn roughly 65% more than those with only high school diplomas on average. Master's degrees add another 15–20% premium, while professional degrees (MD, JD, MBA) can more than double earnings compared to bachelor's holders.

However, education is one factor among many. A skilled electrician or plumber without a college degree often out-earns college graduates in lower-paying fields. Our guide to high-paying jobs without a degree explores these alternatives in detail.

Degree-heavy professions like law and medicine require significant educational investment but offer correspondingly high returns. Engineering provides strong earnings with a bachelor's degree, while tech roles increasingly value demonstrated skills over formal credentials.

How Your Salary Compares

Comparing your salary to national averages requires context. The raw "average salary in the US" includes everyone from fast-food workers to Fortune 500 CEOs. A more meaningful comparison accounts for your specific industry, location, and experience level.

Finding Your Benchmark

Start by identifying which industry and region you work in, then adjust for experience. If you're an early-career marketing professional in the Midwest, comparing yourself to the national average for all workers isn't particularly useful. Instead, look at marketing salaries in your region for people with similar experience levels.

Don't Panic If You're Below Average

If your salary falls below the national median, context matters. Entry-level workers are expected to earn less—that's the starting point, not the finish line. Some fields (education, social work, non-profit) pay below private-sector averages but offer non-monetary rewards like meaningful work, job security, or work-life balance.

Focus on trajectory rather than a single snapshot. Is your salary growing year over year? Are you gaining skills that will command higher pay later? Does your total compensation (including benefits, retirement contributions, and quality of life) meet your needs?

Reaching Above Average

If you want to earn more than the typical American worker, the path depends on your starting point. Some careers offer clear ladders to six figures, while others require lateral moves or industry changes. For specific targets, explore our guide to jobs that pay $100K a year.

Ways to Increase Your Salary Above Average

Moving above the average American salary requires deliberate strategy. Here are the most effective approaches, ranked roughly by impact and accessibility.

Change Industries

The single biggest lever for salary growth is often switching to a higher-paying industry. A talented project manager earning $65,000 in non-profit might earn $95,000 in tech or finance doing similar work. This doesn't require starting over—your transferable skills have value across sectors.

Develop In-Demand Skills

Certain skills command premiums regardless of industry: data analysis, cloud computing, financial modeling, project management, cybersecurity. Certifications in these areas can boost earnings by 10–25% even without changing jobs. Some fields like tech, healthcare, and finance have clearer pay ladders tied to specific credentials.

Negotiate Effectively

Many workers leave money on the table by not negotiating initial offers or regular raises. Research shows that workers who negotiate earn significantly more over their careers than those who accept initial offers. Our salary negotiation guide covers specific tactics for both new jobs and current positions.

Relocate Strategically

Moving to a higher-paying market can boost income, though cost-of-living differences may offset gains. The smarter play for many is working remotely for a high-paying metro employer while living in a lower-cost area—though not all employers allow this.

Research Before You Move

Before making any career change, research realistic salary ranges thoroughly. Tools like Glassdoor and other salary databases help you understand what specific roles pay at specific companies. Going into negotiations with solid data dramatically improves outcomes.

Salary Examples by Job Category

National averages hide enormous variation across specific roles. Here's how typical salaries break down across major job categories, with links to detailed guides for each profession.

Professional and Technical Roles

Software engineers, data scientists, accountants, and marketing managers typically earn above-average salaries, often ranging from $70,000 to $150,000+ depending on experience and location. These roles usually require bachelor's degrees and offer clear advancement paths to senior and management positions.

Healthcare Roles

Healthcare spans an enormous range. Physicians and surgeons earn $200,000–$400,000+, while medical assistants and technicians might earn $35,000–$55,000. Nurses, therapists, and mid-level practitioners fall in between, typically earning $60,000–$120,000 depending on specialty and credentials.

Skilled Trades

Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and welders often earn $50,000–$90,000—comparable to or better than many college-educated workers. Master tradespeople and those who own their businesses can exceed $100,000. These roles offer high demand, good job security, and no student debt.

Transportation and Logistics

Truck drivers earn $45,000–$75,000 depending on route type and experience, with specialized certifications (hazmat, tanker) boosting pay further. Logistics coordinators and supply chain managers can reach $60,000–$100,000+.

Education and Public Service

Teachers earn $45,000–$75,000 depending on state and experience, often below the private-sector average but with strong benefits and job security. Police officers, firefighters, and other public servants typically fall in similar ranges, with overtime and pension benefits adding significant value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is considered a good salary in the US in 2025?

A "good" salary depends on location and lifestyle, but earning above the national median ($65,470) puts you ahead of most workers. In high-cost areas like San Francisco or New York, you'd need $100,000+ to achieve a similar standard of living that $60,000 provides in lower-cost regions. Generally, six-figure incomes are considered "good" anywhere in the country.

What is the average salary in America for full-time workers?

Full-time workers in the US earn approximately $63,000–$67,000 on average (mean), with a median of roughly $65,470. The median is more representative since it isn't pulled upward by very high earners. Most full-time workers earn between $40,000 and $90,000 annually.

Is the average American salary going up or down?

Nominal wages have increased over the past several years, but real (inflation-adjusted) wage growth has been modest. After accounting for inflation, typical workers have seen small gains in purchasing power since 2020, though some industries and experience levels have fared better than others. Workers in tech, healthcare, and skilled trades have generally seen stronger real wage growth than those in retail or hospitality.

How much do you need to earn to be above average?

Earning above $65,000–$67,000 annually puts you above the median American worker. To reach the top 25% of earners, you'd need roughly $90,000–$100,000. The top 10% starts around $130,000–$150,000, and the top 5% begins near $200,000. These thresholds vary by age—younger workers earning $80,000 are in a higher percentile for their age group than the overall population.

How does the average salary compare to a living wage?

Living wage requirements vary dramatically by location. In some low-cost areas, $35,000 covers basic needs for a single person, while high-cost cities might require $60,000–$80,000 for the same standard of living. The median salary ($65,470) exceeds living wage calculations for most of the country, but falls short in expensive metros. For floor-level wage requirements, see our guide to minimum wage by state.