Where Do You Stand? Income Percentile in United States
2024 household income distribution — see how your income compares
Median Income
$83,592
50th percentile
Top 25%
$153,000
75th percentile cutoff
Top 10%
$251,036
90th percentile cutoff
Top 1%
$659,060
99th percentile cutoff
United States Income Percentile Cutoffs (2024)
Each row shows the minimum household income needed to be in that percentile or above. For example, earning more than $84k puts you above 50% of the United States households.
| Percentile | Minimum Income | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16,000 | Earns more than 10% of households |
| 20th | $32,900 | Earns more than 20% of households |
| 25th | $41,400 | Earns more than 25% of households |
| 30th | $49,800 | Below-median income |
| 40th | $66,700 | Below-median income |
| 50th (Median) | $83,600 | Below-median income |
| 60th | $111,400 | Above-median income |
| 70th | $139,100 | Above-median income |
| 75th | $153,000 | Above-median income |
| 80th | $185,700 | Upper-middle income |
| 90th | $251,000 | Upper-middle income |
| 95th | $335,600 | High income |
| 99th | $659,060 | Top 1% of earners |
Source: DQYDJ / IPUMS CPS 2024. Household income includes all earners in the household.
Median Income by Age Group — United States
Income typically peaks in the 45–54 age range, reflecting career progression and peak earning years. Estimates scaled from Census ACS 2023 data.
| Age Group | Median Household Income | vs. State Median |
|---|---|---|
| Under 25 | $38,000 | -54.5% |
| 25–34 | $70,000 | -16.3% |
| 35–44 | $92,000 | +10.1% |
| 45–54 | $97,000 | +16.0% |
| 55–64 | $88,000 | +5.3% |
| 65+ | $58,000 | -30.6% |
What It Means to Be Middle Class in United States
Using the Pew Research Center definition — households earning between 67% and 200% of the state median — the middle class income range in United States runs from $56,007 to $167,184 per year.
Lower Middle Class
$56k
67% of median
State Median
$84k
50th percentile
Upper Middle Class
$167k
200% of median
Cost of living significantly affects what it "feels like" to be middle class. A $84k income in United States has different purchasing power than the same income in another state.
Related Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions — Income Percentile in the United States
What is the median household income in the United States?
The median household income in the United States is $83,592 as of 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS). This means half of all households earn more and half earn less than this figure. The national median for comparison is $83,592.
What income puts you in the top 10% in the US?
To be in the top 10% of earners in the United States, a household needs to earn at least $251,036 per year. The top 5% threshold is approximately $335,575, and the top 1% begins at $659,060.
What counts as middle class in the US?
Using the Pew Research Center's definition (67%–200% of the median income), the middle-class range in the United States is roughly $56,007 to $167,184 per year for a household. Households below this range are lower income; above it are upper income.
Where does this income data come from?
All income percentile data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), 2024 1-Year Estimates. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and is the most comprehensive source of state-level income distribution data. CalcFi updates this data annually following each ACS release.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 1-Year Estimates, Table B19001. Percentile calculations are approximate. Last updated: March 2025.