Average Salary in the United States

Written by Luis Minvielle Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Luis Minvielle

Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: October 8, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

What is the average salary in the United States?

In 2024, the gross average salary in the United States was $62,800 per year or $5,233 per month. This translates to about €57,091 or £48,527 a year. Based on the total number of working days in a year, the average worker receives approximately $5,233 a month, around $280 a day, and $35.2 per hour.

These figures reflect a multifaceted job market with varying salary ranges across different industries and regions, and show a steady wage increase over the past year. The United States is characterised by some of the highest salaries in the world. This data is sourced from the latest employment statistics released by the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics.

*We use a standard of 52 weeks per year and the average weekly hours in the U.S., which is 34.3, to calculate these averages.

What is the average salary in New York?

The average salary in the state of New York is $74,870 a year, or around $6,240 per month before taxes. With a tax threshold of 23%, the average worker in New York receives about $57,317 per year after tax deductions. As a state, New York has the second-highest average salary in the U.S., right after Massachusetts, which is at $76,600. However, living in New York City can be tricky even with very high pay cheques. The high costs of rent and daily expenses — actually, New York City tops the cost of living index — can make it hard to make ends meet.

What is the average salary in California?

The average salary in California is $73,220 a year, which translates to $6,100 per month. After paying taxes, the average worker in California receives approximately $56,843 per year. Living and working in metropolitan areas like the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles tends to offer better job opportunities and, on average, higher salaries compared to many other U.S. cities. Still, the cost of living in California is one of the highest in the United States.

What is the minimum wage in the United States?

In 2024, the federal minimum wage in the United States is $7.25 per hour. This amounts to an annual salary of $15,080 for a full-time worker. However, many states and cities have set higher minimum wages. For example, states like New York and California have minimum wages of $15 and $16 per hour, respectively.

While the federal minimum wage remains relatively low compared to other developed nations, it is important to note that the cost of living varies greatly across the country. Still, many workers find it hard to pay their bills on the minimum wage, especially in cities where housing and other essential expenses can be expensive.

What is a good salary in the United States?

Figuring out a good salary in the United States really depends on where you live and your personal situation. For many people, a salary of $50,000 is seen as a reasonable starting point for a single person in many parts of the country, including the so-called "flyover states." However, in big cities like New York and San Francisco, a good salary is usually considered to be $70,000 or more because of the high cost of living.

New Yorkers mention that the cost of living can be pretty overwhelming in the Big Apple, with monthly expenses (rent included) averaging more than $5,000 for a single person. Because of this, many feel that earning at least $80,000 is now necessary to feel comfortable and secure. The situation is similar in Los Angeles, where monthly expenses run about $4,500.

For expats looking to move within the U.S., Austin, Texas, is a viable option as it keeps monthly expenses moderate (around $3,000) but still offers the experience of living in a big U.S. city. The Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area — not Dallas proper, but everything around it — is also becoming a popular place to live for similar reasons.

Average salary after tax in the United States

With an average annual salary of $62,800, the estimated net income after federal tax deductions is around $51,146, although this figure can vary depending on state taxes and personal deductions. For more detailed information regarding taxes, you can visit Taxes in the United States or use the Tax Calculator.

What are the highest-paying jobs in the United States?

The following list outlines some of the most common and highest-paying jobs for expats in the United States, followed by their average annual salaries (Source: Payscale):

• IT Manager: $93,933
• Marketing Manager: $73,369
• Software Engineer: $94,254
• Customer Support Specialist: $52,612
• UX Designer: $79,860
• Data Analyst: $68,000
• HR Generalist: $60,731
• Senior Recruiter: $81,609

Average salary comparison by country