The Average Salary by Age in the U.S.

Full-time U.S. employees earned a median $1,232 per week in the third quarter of 2026, equivalent to $64,064 over 52 weeks.¹ Comparing salary by age adds context, but occupation, location and experience also matter when assessing your pay or setting savings goals. A financial advisor can also help you translate your income and expected career changes into a plan for saving, debt repayment and retirement.

What Is the Average Salary in the U.S.?

Although commonly described as average salary, the figures below are medians. The median marks the middle of the earnings distribution, providing a benchmark that is less affected by exceptionally high earnings than an arithmetic average.

According to the BLS third-quarter 2026 earnings release, median weekly earnings among approximately 122.2 million full-time wage and salary workers were $1,232. That represents an annualized equivalent of $64,064 and a 1.5% increase in weekly earnings from a year earlier. The figures are not seasonally adjusted.

For this series, full-time workers generally are employees who usually work at least 35 hours per week at their main job. Earnings are measured before taxes and deductions and include usual overtime pay, commissions and tips. The annual amounts in this article multiply weekly medians by 52; actual annual earnings depend on weeks worked and changes in pay.

Your salary therefore differs from the amount available to spend or save. Use a paycheck calculator to estimate take-home pay, then build your budget and investing strategy around the money remaining after taxes, payroll deductions and essential expenses.

Median Salary for Ages 16-19

Full-time workers ages 16 to 19 had median weekly earnings of $682 in the third quarter of 2026, equivalent to $35,464 over 52 weeks. This figure excludes teenagers working part time, including those with part-time summer or temporary jobs.

Median Salary for Ages 20-24

Workers ages 20 to 24 had median weekly earnings of $802, equivalent to an annualized $41,704. Their weekly median was $120 higher than that of full-time workers ages 16 to 19. The comparison covers full-time employees across occupations and education levels.

Median Salary for Ages 25-34

Median weekly earnings for full-time workers ages 25 to 34 were $1,173, equivalent to an annualized $60,996. That was $371 more per week than the median for workers ages 20 to 24. These figures compare different groups of workers rather than tracking individual salary growth.

Median Salary for Ages 35-44

Workers ages 35 to 44 had median weekly earnings of $1,414, equivalent to an annualized $73,528, the highest reported median among the seven age groups shown here. Within this bracket, median weekly earnings were $1,536 for men and $1,263 for women.

Median Salary for Ages 45-54

Median weekly earnings for workers ages 45 to 54 were $1,407, equivalent to an annualized $73,164. That was just $7 per week below the median for ages 35 to 44. The income gap between men and women remained substantial: Their respective weekly medians were $1,563 and $1,230. These group comparisons do not establish pay differences for people doing equivalent work.

Median Salary for Ages 55-64

Workers ages 55 to 64 had median weekly earnings of $1,376, equivalent to an annualized $71,552. This was below the median for ages 45 to 54. The figures describe people still working full time and exclude those who had retired or were working part time.

Median Salary for Ages 65 and Older

Full-time workers ages 65 and older had median weekly earnings of $1,165, equivalent to an annualized $60,580. Approximately 5.8 million workers fell into this group. These figures measure employment earnings, excluding Social Security benefits and withdrawals from retirement savings, so they do not represent retirees’ total income.

The table below compares median weekly earnings for full-time wage and salary workers by age. Annualized equivalents assume the same weekly earnings over 52 weeks.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, third-quarter 2026 data, not seasonally adjusted. Annualized equivalents are calculated as median weekly earnings × 52.

How Salary Benchmarks Can Support Financial Planning

Salary benchmarks compare different groups of workers at a particular point in time. They do not track how one person’s earnings change throughout a career or

If your income is below the median for your age group, it may be a sign to review your job market, training needs or negotiation opportunities. On the other hand, if your income is above the median, you may want to focus on strengthening long-term savings and building reserves for unexpected expenses.

Salary levels also influence how much you can set aside for retirement. Comparing your earnings to age-based medians can help you decide whether you are saving enough or whether you should adjust your contributions as your income changes.

Age-related income trends can also affect taxes, insurance needs and projected Social Security benefits. Reviewing these areas when your income rises or levels off can help keep your long-term plan current.

Using salary benchmarks as one reference point alongside your budget, goals and local job conditions can provide a clearer picture of where you stand and what steps may support your future financial plans.

Ways to Stretch Your Income and Save More for Retirement

No matter your salary, making the most of your income is key to building long-term financial security. By managing expenses, increasing savings and making strategic financial decisions, you can create more room in your budget to prepare for retirement.

Understanding where your money goes each month is the first step toward improving your financial situation. Tracking your income and expenses helps identify areas where you can cut back and redirect funds toward savings. A well-structured budget provides a foundation for better financial decisions.

Setting aside money for retirement should be a consistent priority, regardless of your income level. Contributing to accounts like a 401(k) or IRA, especially when employer matching is available, can help accelerate your savings. Even small, regular contributions can grow significantly over time.

If possible, finding ways to boost your income can have a meaningful impact on your ability to save. This could involve pursuing career advancement, negotiating a raise or exploring side income opportunities. Additional income can be used to strengthen your financial position and increase savings.

Bottom Line

Use median salary by age as a starting point for comparison. These figures cover full-time employees, excluding self-employed and part-time workers, including people who are underemployed. They also exclude investment income. For a more useful benchmark, compare workers in similar jobs and locations, then evaluate whether your take-home pay supports your savings, debt payments and other goals.

Tips for Maximizing Your Salary

• Want to build a financial plan and start growing your wealth? A financial advisor can help get you on track to meet your goals. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
• For many people, the salary from their employer is only part of their income stream. If you’re looking to line your pockets a little more, consider your options for generating passive income. This could be anything from buying a vending machine, renting out a spare room or even buying a business and having someone else run it.

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