How Many Americans Make a Six-Figure Income?

A six-figure income, defined as an annual earning of $100,000 or more, has long been a benchmark for financial accomplishment in the United States. This income level suggests a degree of economic stability and opportunity, capturing public interest. Many individuals and households aspire to reach this milestone, prompting widespread curiosity about how common it truly is across the nation. Examining the prevalence of six-figure incomes provides insight into economic distribution and the financial standing of various American demographics.

Understanding Six-Figure Income

A six-figure income refers to an annual income of $100,000 or more. It signifies a significant financial achievement for many, positioning earners above the national median income. It is important to distinguish between individual income and household income when discussing this benchmark.

Individual income pertains to the earnings of a single person. In contrast, household income represents the combined earnings of all individuals aged 15 and older living together in a single housing unit. This distinction is important because a household might achieve a six-figure income through the contributions of multiple earners, even if no single individual earns $100,000 on their own. Understanding this difference is essential for accurately interpreting statistics about income levels across the country.

Current Data on Six-Figure Earners

Recent data indicates a notable difference in the proportion of Americans earning a six-figure income when considering individuals versus households. In 2024, approximately 21.1% of all individual workers in the United States, totaling about 38.2 million people, earned $100,000 or more annually. This figure suggests that while reaching this income level is a significant accomplishment, it is not achieved by the majority of individual earners.

For households, the prevalence of six-figure incomes is considerably higher. In 2024, around 40.8% of U.S. households, encompassing approximately 54 million households, reported a six-figure income. In 2023, data showed that about 34.5% of households earned more than $100,000 per year. Further insight into household income distribution reveals that the largest segment within the six-figure range for households in 2023 was between $100,000 and $149,999, accounting for about 16.5% of all U.S. households. A smaller proportion, about 8.8% of all U.S. households, earned $250,000 or more in 2024.

Characteristics of Six-Figure Earners

Individuals and households achieving a six-figure income often share common characteristics related to education, occupation, age, and geographic location. Higher levels of education are associated with increased earning potential. For example, individuals aged 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher tend to have incomes considerably above the national median. In 2022, 35% of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher lived in upper-income households.

Certain occupations and industries are more likely to yield six-figure incomes. High-paying fields commonly include technology, finance, healthcare, and management roles. For instance, chief executives, software developers, and architectural and engineering managers are among those who frequently earn six figures, sometimes even without a bachelor’s degree. The ability to earn a six-figure salary without a degree is more common in roles such as chief executives and legislators, with 63.6% of non-degree holders in these positions earning $100,000 or more in 2023.

Earning potential increases with age and experience, as individuals progress in their careers and accumulate skills. Adults aged 35 to 44 are often the most likely to earn six figures. Geographic location also plays a significant role, as income levels can vary greatly depending on the local cost of living and regional economic opportunities. Major metropolitan areas, particularly in the Northeast and West, tend to have higher concentrations of six-figure earners due to higher wages and a greater presence of high-paying industries.

Six-Figure Income in Context

Placing a six-figure income within the broader U.S. income distribution provides perspective on its relative economic standing. For individuals, the median income in the United States was $50,200 in 2024, meaning half of all individual workers earned less than this amount. The average individual income was higher, at $73,471.51 in 2024, influenced by the earnings of high-income individuals. An individual earning $100,000 is therefore earning approximately double the median individual income.

For households, the median income in the U.S. was $80,020 in 2024, an increase from $74,202 in 2023. This means a household with a six-figure income is well above the national median. The average household income in 2024 was $114,395.26. This places households earning $100,000 near the average, indicating a comfortable position within the overall distribution.

A six-figure income generally falls within the upper income quintiles, representing a higher economic standing compared to a significant portion of the population. For instance, the top 10% of individual earnings started at $150,000 in the United States in 2024. For households, the threshold to be in the top 10% was $216,056 in 2023. While a six-figure income signifies a strong financial position, its purchasing power and perceived value can vary depending on regional costs of living and individual financial obligations.