Is Your Salary Good? (2026 Complete Guide)
Enter your salary, age, and location to see exactly where you rank among US earners — with a detailed percentile score, age-based comparison, and what's "good" for your situation.
Marcus Webb
Compensation Research AnalystMarcus has 8+ years of experience in compensation analysis and tax research. He covers salary benchmarks, payroll tax policy, and compensation strategy across all US states.
Quick Answer
The US median household income is $74,580. A "good" individual salary is generally considered to be $80,000+ nationally — but what's "good" varies dramatically by city, age, and household size.
How Does Your Salary Compare?
Enter your salary, age, and state to see your national percentile ranking and age-based comparison.
Quick examples:
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US Salary Percentile Benchmarks (2026)
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, US Census Bureau ACS 2024.
Salary Benchmarks by Age Group (2026)
Typical salary ranges for US workers by age. Medians based on BLS data; career stage progression drives most variation.
| Age Group | Entry Level | Median | High Earner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22-25 | $30,000 | $42,000 | $65,000 |
| 26-30 | $40,000 | $55,000 | $85,000 |
| 31-35 | $50,000 | $65,000 | $100,000 |
| 36-40 | $55,000 | $72,000 | $115,000 |
| 41-45 | $58,000 | $78,000 | $125,000 |
| 46-50 | $58,000 | $80,000 | $130,000 |
| 51-55 | $55,000 | $76,000 | $125,000 |
| 56-60 | $52,000 | $72,000 | $118,000 |
| 60+ | $48,000 | $68,000 | $110,000 |
Source: BLS Current Population Survey, US Census ACS 2024. Individual income, all occupations.
Minimum Livable Salary by City (2026)
What you need to earn to cover rent, food, transport, and modest savings — as a single adult, no roommates.
| City | Livable Min | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $95,000 | $140,000 |
| New York City, NY | $85,000 | $125,000 |
| Boston, MA | $80,000 | $115,000 |
| Seattle, WA | $75,000 | $110,000 |
| Denver, CO | $65,000 | $95,000 |
| Chicago, IL | $60,000 | $85,000 |
| Austin, TX | $60,000 | $85,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | $55,000 | $80,000 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $52,000 | $75,000 |
| Dallas, TX | $55,000 | $80,000 |
| Columbus, OH | $48,000 | $68,000 |
| Memphis, TN | $42,000 | $60,000 |
What "Good" Means by Household Size
Single, no dependents
Single earners have more flexibility — a lower salary stretches further.
Minimum
$40,000
Good
$65,000
Excellent
$90,000
Couple (dual income)
Combined household income matters most. Each person earning the median is solid.
Minimum
$60,000
Good
$100,000
Excellent
$150,000
Family of 3 (1 child)
Childcare costs $15,000-$35,000/yr in most metros — significantly raising the bar.
Minimum
$75,000
Good
$110,000
Excellent
$160,000
Family of 4 (2 children)
Two children in daycare can cost $30,000-$50,000/yr in major metros.
Minimum
$90,000
Good
$130,000
Excellent
$185,000
Is a Good Salary Different by Industry?
What's considered a strong salary varies enormously by field. A $75,000 salary is exceptional for a social worker but entry-level for a software engineer in San Francisco.
$110,000 median
$85k–$200k+
$220,000 median
$180k–$350k+
$81,000 median
$60k–$110k
$78,000 median
$55k–$160k+
$62,000 median
$45k–$85k
$58,000 median
$40k–$95k
$38,000 median
$28k–$55k
$135,000 median
$80k–$300k+
The 50/30/20 Rule Applied to Your Salary
The 50/30/20 rule allocates after-tax income as: 50% to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings. Here's how it plays out at common salary levels:
Needs (50%)
$1,343/mo
Wants (30%)
$806/mo
Savings (20%)
$537/mo
Needs (50%)
$1,971/mo
Wants (30%)
$1,182/mo
Savings (20%)
$788/mo
Needs (50%)
$2,534/mo
Wants (30%)
$1,520/mo
Savings (20%)
$1,013/mo
Needs (50%)
$3,078/mo
Wants (30%)
$1,847/mo
Savings (20%)
$1,231/mo
Needs (50%)
$4,415/mo
Wants (30%)
$2,649/mo
Savings (20%)
$1,766/mo
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