How Many People Make Over 100k In A Year? - SpendMeNot

How Many People Make Over $100K? [2025 Stats and Insights] Adavelli Muninder Published: May 31, 2024 •Updated: May 31, 2025

Only about 13% of U.S. workers make over $100,000 a year. That six-figure milestone might sound like the gateway to financial comfort, but for many, it doesn’t always feel that way. Between inflation, student loans, and high housing costs, earning $100K isn’t what it used to be.

Still, crossing into six-figure territory remains a goal for millions of Americans. In this article, we’ll break down who actually makes over $100K a year by gender, race, education, profession, and more. Whether you’re working toward that number or just curious how common it really is, this guide lays out what the latest data tells us in 2025.

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• Just 13% of U.S. workers aged 15 and older earn more than $100,000 a year. This highlights how relatively few Americans reach the six-figure mark individually.
• Over 34% of U.S. households bring in more than $100K annually. Dual incomes help boost household earnings even when individual salaries are lower.
• Men are twice as likely as women to make over $100K. About 25% of men earn six figures compared to just 12% of women, showing a clear gender gap.
• Asian American households are the most likely to earn over $100K. More than half report six-figure incomes, the highest share among racial and ethnic groups.
• Adults aged 35 to 44 are the most likely to earn six figures. Around 1 in 4 people in this age group make over $100,000, marking the peak earning years.

What Percentage of Americans Make Over $100K?

Recent data from 2023 and 2024 reveals a notable difference between how many individuals and households in the United States earn more than $100,000 per year. While the six-figure salary remains a major milestone, it is far less common among individuals than it is among households.

As of 2024, the median individual income in the U.S. is estimated at $50,200.

This data shows that half of all workers earn less than this amount. The average individual income is higher at $73,472, pulled upward by high earners. Despite this, only about 15.05% of individuals earn more than $100,000 annually.

The majority of Americans fall below the six-figure threshold, with roughly 58.5% of individuals earning under $50,000 per year. Another 26.4% fall between $50,000 and $100,000.

• Median individual income: $50,200 
• Average individual income: $73,472 
• About 15.05% of individuals earn over $100,000 annually (including all brackets above $100K)

In contrast, household income paints a different picture.

Based on 2023 data, the median household income is approximately $80,610.

This figure is significantly higher than the individual median because it accounts for the combined incomes of multiple earners within a single household.

About 34.5% of households in the U.S. earn more than $100,000 per year, more than double the share of individual six-figure earners. The largest household income bracket within this range is $100,000 to $149,999, which includes about 16.5% of all U.S. households.

• Median household income: $80,610 (2023)
• Approximately 34.5% of U.S. households earn over $100,000 annually

This contrast between individual and household income highlights the structural difference in how earnings are distributed.

Households often include two or more earners, making it more common for them to surpass the $100K mark, even if individual incomes remain modest.

While a six-figure salary is still a significant achievement, it’s much more common at the household level than at the individual level.

For example, 16.5% of households earn between $100,000 and $149,999. Here’s a sample income distribution breakdown:

Income Range	Individuals (%)	Households (%)
Under $50,000	~58.5% (cumulative under $50k)	~45% (estimated from distribution)
$50,000–$100,000	~26.4% (cumulative 50k–100k)	~20% (estimated from distribution)
Over $100,000	~15.05% (individuals)	~34.5% (households)

Who Makes Over $100K? A Look by Demographics

Income distribution in the U.S. shows clear disparities when viewed through the lens of gender, race, age, education, and marital status. While more Americans are reaching the six-figure mark, not all groups have equal access to that income level.

By Gender: Men are more likely to be high earners, with women earning just 85% of men’s hourly wages in 2024.

Among younger workers aged 25 to 34, the gap was narrower at 95%, but it widens with age. For full-time workers in 2023, women’s earnings were 83% of men’s.

Although exact percentages of six-figure earners by gender are not always disclosed, the consistent wage gap indicates that men are more likely to reach or exceed the $100,000 threshold.

Factors such as occupational segregation, the motherhood penalty, and stalled progress in closing the wage gap since 2000 contribute to this imbalance.

By Race/Ethnicity: Asian households lead with a median income of $99,572, while Black and Hispanic households lag at $46,774 and $57,671.

Here’s an overview of the income by race or ethnicity:

Group	Median Household Income	Key Stats
Asian Americans	$99,572 (alone)	Highest median income; Indian households lead at $152,341.
White Americans	$74,932	~37% of households earn >$100K (regional data).
Hispanic Americans	$57,671	Lower representation in high-earning brackets.
Black Americans	$46,774	Only 13.9% of households earn >$200K (vs. 26.9% Asian).

Adults aged 35 to 44 are in their peak years, most likely making over $100,000. This age group also sees the gender pay gap widen, with women earning just 83% of what men make by this stage in their careers.

Among workers aged 25 to 34, those with a bachelor’s degree earn around $71,000.

Meanwhile, those with only a high school diploma earn $41,800. This reflects a 59% income gap between the two groups, and earnings continue to rise with advanced degrees.

Married-couple households are 2.5 times more likely to earn over $100,000 than single-parent ones.

This is obviously due to having two income earners. In contrast, single-earner households, especially women-led ones, are less likely to reach six figures, facing structural and economic challenges that limit income growth.

What Jobs Make Over $100K?

Some of the most common paths to a six-figure income come through specific careers, especially in fields like management, healthcare, finance, law, and tech.

Here’s a quick overview of the roles in different industries that make over 100K per year:

Industry	Job Title	Average/Median Salary
Business & Finance	Financial Manager	$153,460
CFO (Public Company)	$443,306 (base)
Financial Analyst	$87,000+ (senior roles)
Healthcare	Physician/Surgeon	$239,200+
Dentist	$150,000+ (varies)
Pharmacist	$145,000
Tech & Engineering	Software Engineer	$137,311
Architect/Engineer	$104,000+ (experienced)
Legal & Law	Lawyer	$148,030
Judge/Magistrate	$100,000+ (varies)

This overview highlights that six-figure salaries are common in senior roles across business, healthcare, technology, and law, with healthcare and executive finance roles often commanding the highest pay.

Business & Finance: Management roles average about $123,370 per year, varying by experience and company size.

Financial managers earn even more, with a median salary of about $153,460. At the executive level, Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) in private companies typically earn between $161,808 and $254,392. For public company CFOs, the median base salary is approximately $443,306, and total compensation, when bonuses and stock options are included, can exceed $700,000.

Other finance roles also offer strong earning potential. Financial analysts earn an average of $87,000, but senior analysts, especially in cities like New York or San Francisco, often break the $100,000 mark. Management analysts are close behind, with a median salary of $99,410.

Healthcare: Physicians and surgeons are among the highest earners in the healthcare industry, with median annual wages starting around $239,200.

Dentists also earn well into six figures, with some specializations earning salaries comparable to those of physicians.

Pharmacists average about $145,000 per year, with typical salaries ranging from $130,000 to $160,000 depending on the state and employer. For example, pharmacists in Texas report an average annual salary of $145,207.

Several other healthcare roles also cross the six-figure threshold:

• Veterinarians: Average annual salary of around $128,000
• Pharmacy Managers: Earn about $120,000 per year
• Psychologists: Typically earn around $111,000 annually

Finally, Nurse Practitioners earn over $100,000, especially in high-demand fields or states with expanded practice authority

Tech and Engineering: Software engineers are among the most sought-after professionals in the tech sector, earning an average salary of around $137,311.

Many also receive additional cash compensation, such as bonuses or stock options, which can significantly increase total earnings.

Architects and engineers also command substantial salaries. While architectural engineers average about $76,492, experienced professionals in specialized roles often make over $100,000 annually. In higher-paying regions or industries, general engineers and architects typically earn close to or above $104,000 on average.

Legal and Law: The median salary for lawyers in the United States is about $148,030.

However, earnings vary widely by location, specialization, and experience. The top 10 percent of lawyers can earn $239,200 or more each year.

Judges and magistrates also earn six-figure incomes in the U.S., depending on jurisdiction and court level. In contrast, salaries in other countries may differ. For example, magistrate judges in Manila earn around 1.8 million PHP (about $33,000 USD), while U.S. judges typically make well over $100,000 at both the state and federal levels.

Earning Over $100K But Still Struggling?

Nearly half (45%) of Americans earning over $100,000 still live paycheck to paycheck, revealing that a six-figure income does not guarantee financial comfort or security. Several key factors contribute to this paradox:

Lifestyle inflation causes spending to rise with income, eroding financial gains.

As income rises, so do expenses. Bigger homes, new cars, and frequent dining out often absorb the additional income, leaving little room for savings. Over time, this erodes financial stability.

Student loans and other debts reduce disposable income.

Many high earners carry significant student loans or credit card balances. Monthly payments cut into disposable income, making it difficult to save or invest despite a six-figure salary.

High cost-of-living cities make $100K feel less comfortable than in cheaper areas.

In high-cost cities, $100,000 doesn’t go as far. Housing, childcare, and transportation costs in places like San Francisco or New York can quickly drain income that would stretch further in lower-cost regions.

Financial literacy and budgeting are key to managing income and building wealth.

Without a clear budget or savings strategy, even high earners may struggle to manage their money effectively. Turning income into security requires more than a big paycheck—it requires smart, consistent financial choices.

Understanding these factors helps explain why earning over $100K does not automatically equate to financial ease and highlights the importance of mindful spending and planning.

Is $100K Still a “Good” Salary in 2025?

In 2025, a $100,000 salary no longer guarantees the financial comfort it once did. Rising inflation and dramatic differences in local costs of living have reduced the real value of six-figure incomes across much of the U.S.

In cities like New York or San Francisco, $100K can feel like $30,000 to $40,000 after housing, taxes, and basic expenses.

For example, a $100K salary in Manhattan has the spending power of just $30,362, while in Memphis, it’s closer to $86,444. Here’s an overview of what $100K gets you in major U.S. cities in 2025:

This gap between nominal salary and actual wealth highlights the importance of where you live.

In high-cost cities, housing alone can eat up over 40% of take-home pay, leaving little for savings or investments. In contrast, in lower-cost cities like Houston or Columbus, $100K can support a more comfortable lifestyle, including homeownership, retirement contributions, and discretionary spending.

While $100K is still above the median U.S. household income of roughly $74,225, it is increasingly viewed as middle class, especially in expensive metros. What was once seen as a mark of financial success is now the baseline for stability in many urban areas.

Final Thoughts

Earning over $100,000 is a financial milestone that only about 15% of individuals and 34% of households in the U.S. reach. These earners are more likely to be in their prime working years, hold higher degrees, work in high-paying industries, or live in dual-income households. Demographic gaps still persist, with men, Asian Americans, and married couples leading six-figure earnings.

But a six-figure income does not always guarantee financial comfort. In high-cost areas, even $100,000 can feel stretched thin. Rising living costs, debt, and lifestyle choices all shape how far that income really goes.

For some, $100K is a major achievement. For others, it is simply the starting point toward broader goals like saving, investing, or building generational wealth. Wherever you are on your financial journey, the value of six figures depends not just on how much you earn but how wisely you manage it.

FAQs on People Making Over $100K

What jobs pay over $100K?

Common high-paying jobs include financial managers (about $153,460), physicians and surgeons (starting around $239,200), software engineers (around $137,311), and lawyers (approximately $148,030).

Is $100K considered middle class?

Yes. As of 2025, a $100,000 salary is generally seen as middle class, especially when compared to the median U.S. household income of around $74,225. In high-cost areas, however, it is no longer viewed as affluent.

Is $100K a high income in 2025?

Nationally, $100K is a strong salary. But in cities like New York or San Francisco, high housing costs and taxes can reduce its purchasing power to the equivalent of $30K to $40K.

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