What Percentage of US Workers Make Over $100,000?

Earning $100,000 annually is a significant financial milestone that sparks widespread curiosity among U.S. workers. Understanding the prevalence of such earnings provides valuable insight into the current economic landscape. This article explores the precise figures and contributing factors behind high earners in the U.S.

Understanding the Data: Definitions and Scope

To accurately analyze income statistics, it is important to clarify what constitutes a “worker” and how “income” is measured. A worker refers to individuals aged 16 and older employed for pay or profit, including those working for wages, salaries, commissions, tips, or operating their own incorporated businesses. This definition encompasses full-time employees and differentiates them from retirees or individuals not actively participating in the labor force.

Income generally represents an individual’s gross earnings before taxes and deductions. This includes wages, salaries, and earnings from self-employment. It typically excludes non-cash benefits, such as employer-sponsored health insurance, and investment income or capital gains. Crucially, the $100,000 threshold specifically refers to individual income, not combined household income, which can be significantly higher due to multiple earners.

The Current Landscape: Percentage of High Earners

The percentage of U.S. workers earning over $100,000 annually is a relatively small segment of the overall workforce. In 2024, roughly 21.1% of all individual workers made a six-figure income.

While a six-figure salary remains a significant financial goal, it is not a common achievement across the entire working population. The median individual income in the U.S. was estimated at $50,200 in 2024, meaning half of all workers earn less. The average individual income is higher, at approximately $73,472, influenced upward by high-income individuals. Over recent years, there has been a gradual increase in the share of individuals and households earning higher incomes, reflecting broader economic shifts.

Key Drivers of Income Disparity

Several factors contribute to an individual’s ability to earn an income exceeding $100,000, creating notable disparities across the workforce. The industry of employment plays a significant role. Sectors such as utilities, information technology, mining and logging, and financial activities consistently offer some of the highest average annual earnings. As of March 2025, the utilities sector had average annual earnings of nearly $114,000, while the information industry approached $100,000. These fields often demand specialized skills and knowledge, which command higher compensation.

Education is another determinant of earning potential, with higher levels of educational attainment generally correlating with increased income throughout a career. Individuals holding a bachelor’s degree typically earn substantially more over their lifetime compared to those with only a high school diploma. Advanced degrees further enhance earning capacity. Specific occupations like software development, truck driving, or elevator repair can also lead to six-figure incomes without a bachelor’s degree.

Geographic location also influences income levels. Larger metropolitan areas and regions with a higher cost of living often present higher wage opportunities to offset elevated expenses. An individual’s years of experience and age contribute to income growth, with earnings often peaking for workers between 35 and 44 years old. Broader economic trends like technological advancements, globalization, and changes in labor market dynamics also shape income distribution.

Interpreting the Statistics

Interpreting the percentage of workers earning over $100,000 requires careful consideration of the underlying statistics. It is important to distinguish between median and average income figures. The average can be significantly skewed upwards by a small number of very high earners, while the median represents the midpoint of all incomes. The higher average income compared to the median underscores the impact of top earners on overall income distribution.

The purchasing power of $100,000 varies considerably across different regions due to differences in the cost of living. A six-figure income in a major urban center with high housing and living expenses may offer a different quality of life compared to the same income in a more affordable rural area. Additionally, different government agencies, such as the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, may use varying methodologies for defining and collecting income data, leading to minor differences in reported percentages.