Average American salary: how much does the average American make?
The average (mean) American salary is $69,770 a year ($33.54 an hour), and the median is $24.51 an hour, about $50,981 a year full time, across 155,495,730 US jobs in May 2025. The median is the better guide to a typical worker, because a small number of very high earners pull the average up.
How does your salary compare?
Average salary vs. median salary
The average salary adds up all pay and divides by the number of workers: $69,770. The median is the middle worker: $24.51 an hour, or about $50,981 a year at 2,080 hours. Half of US workers earn less than the median. BLS publishes the all-jobs median as an hourly figure because it includes part-time workers.
Gross monthly salary
Gross monthly salary is pay before taxes and deductions, annual salary ÷ 12. At the US median of about $50,981, that's $4,248 a month; at the average of $69,770, $5,814 a month. Use the take-home calculator below to see what's left after 2026 federal and state taxes.
Salary by state
All-occupation median pay, BLS May 2025, highest states:
| State | Median per year |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $91,540 |
| Massachusetts | $63,590 |
| Washington | $62,990 |
| Alaska | $61,000 |
| Colorado | $59,800 |
| Connecticut | $59,690 |
| New York | $59,670 |
| Maryland | $59,510 |
Mississippi has the lowest median of the 50 states, $40,120. For pay in your own job, see the salary pages by occupation.
Salary
A salary is a fixed annual amount, usually paid in equal checks whatever the hours worked, while hourly wages are paid for each hour. Salaried workers paid under the federal salary threshold, or whose duties don't qualify as exempt, are still owed overtime. To convert between the two, divide an annual salary by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks).
Government salaries
Most federal civilian employees are paid on the General Schedule (GS). The 2026 base pay increase was 1%, with locality pay held at 2025 levels, so actual pay is higher than these base figures in every locality. 2026 base pay at step 1:
| Grade | Step 1 base pay |
|---|---|
| GS-1 | $22,584 |
| GS-5 | $34,799 |
| GS-7 | $43,106 |
| GS-9 | $52,727 |
| GS-11 | $63,795 |
| GS-12 | $76,463 |
| GS-13 | $90,925 |
| GS-14 | $107,446 |
| GS-15 | $126,384 |
GS-15 step 10 base pay is $164,301.
State employee salaries
Each state sets its own pay scales for state employees, and many publish a searchable state payroll or salary database on the state comptroller's, auditor's or transparency website. Many public jobs, such as teachers, police officers and firefighters, are paid by local governments; see teacher salary, police officer salary and firefighter salary for BLS pay by state.
President salary
The President of the United States is paid $400,000 a year, plus a $50,000 expense allowance, set by federal law (3 U.S.C. 102). The salary has been $400,000 since 2001 and can't be changed during a president's term.
Average American Salary take-home pay by state (2026)
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 joint), and each state's 2026 income tax. Local income taxes, state disability or paid-leave payroll taxes and other deductions are not included. Estimate only, not tax advice.
Common questions
What is the average American salary?
$69,770 a year (mean), per BLS May 2025 data. The median is $24.51 an hour, about $50,981 a year full time.
What is the average salary per month?
About $5,814 a month at the average and $4,248 at the median, before taxes.
What is a good salary in the US?
Anything above the median, about $50,981 full time, is more than half of US workers earn; what feels good depends on local living costs.
Which state has the highest average salary?
Among states, Massachusetts has the highest median ($63,590); the District of Columbia is higher still at $91,540.
How much does the president make?
$400,000 a year plus a $50,000 expense allowance, under 3 U.S.C. 102.
Sources
- BLS: Occupational Employment and Wages — May 2025 (news release)
- Wagedex: BLS OEWS May 2025 statistics
- FedSmith: 2026 GS pay scale
- 3 U.S.C. 102: Compensation of the President
Related
Last reviewed November 5, 2026. BLS figures cover wage and salary workers in all industries; they exclude the self-employed. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. General information, not career or financial advice.