Curious about how Americans earn at different stages of life? The differences in median earnings across age groups in the U.S. may surprise you.
Visual Capitalist’s Niccolo Conte has put together a visualization showcasing the median annual earnings of full-time wage and salaried workers in the U.S. using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can check out the full visualization here.
Median Salary by Age in America
The data table reveals that the youngest workers (aged 16 to 19) earn the least, with annual earnings of $33,280. This is significantly lower than the national median, reflecting their entry-level positions and lack of experience.
With more education and experience in their 20s, earnings increase to $40,664 for those aged 20 to 24.
Earnings continue to grow as workers enter their 30s and 40s, reaching $59,228 for ages 25 to 34 and peaking at $70,824 between ages 45 and 54. This period often signifies career stability, advanced skills, and leadership roles, resulting in higher salaries.
Income for the 35 to 44 age group is nearly identical to the peak decade at $70,252, indicating sustained strength in mid-career earnings.
Earnings in Later Career and Retirement Age
As workers reach ages 55 to 64, earnings start to decline to $67,392. For those 65 and older, median earnings are $62,296, close to the national median.
Interestingly, older workers (65+) earn approximately $3,000 more than those in the 25 to 34 bracket, showcasing late-career professionals who command strong wages.
For more insights on household finances and earnings in the U.S., take a look at this map of poverty by state on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.
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