You’ve probably seen the headlines. Some "hustle culture" guru on social media claims if you aren’t clearing six figures by age 26, you’re basically behind the curve. It’s exhausting. Honestly, it's also statistically incorrect.
When you actually look at the hard data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the reality of median US salaries by age group is way more nuanced than what you'll find in a 30-second TikTok. Salaries don't just skyrocket the moment you graduate. They climb, plateau, and eventually dip as people transition toward retirement.
In the third quarter of 2025, the national median weekly earnings for full-time workers hit $1,214. That’s roughly $63,128 a year. But that number is a giant "average" that hides the massive swings that happen between your first job and your peak earning years.
The Breakout Years: 16 to 24
Let’s be real: your first few years in the workforce are usually a struggle for survival.
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For the 16-to-19-year-old crowd, we’re looking at a median of about $622 per week. That’s roughly $32,344 annually. It makes sense. Most people in this bracket are working part-time or entry-level service gigs while finishing high school or starting college.
Once you hit the 20-to-24-year-old range, things start to move. The median jumps to $796 per week (about $41,392 a year). This is where the "first real job" usually kicks in. You’ve likely got a degree or a trade certification, and you're finally moving away from minimum wage. But you’re still the "new person" in the office, which means you’re on the bottom rung of the pay scale.
The Massive Leap: 25 to 34
This is the decade where the biggest income jump happens. It’s the period where you stop "just working" and start building a career.
According to the latest 2025 BLS data, the median for workers aged 25 to 34 is $1,150 per week, or $59,800 a year.
Why the $18,000 raise from the previous bracket? Experience. By 30, you aren't just doing the work; you're often managing projects or other people. You've likely hopped jobs once or twice—which is still the fastest way to get a raise—and you’ve developed enough specialized skills that your employer actually fears losing you. This is also the stage where educational differences start to create a wider gap. A person with a bachelor's degree in this age range is typically out-earning someone with a high school diploma by a significant margin.
Reaching the Peak: 35 to 54
If you’re looking for the "golden years" of earning, this is it.
The 35 to 44 Bracket
The median weekly earnings here hit $1,385. That’s roughly $72,020 a year.
The 45 to 54 Bracket
The median stays nearly identical at $1,377 per week, or $71,604 a year.
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Basically, your late 30s through your early 50s are your prime earning years. You’ve reached senior roles. You’re the director, the senior technician, or the established small business owner. Interestingly, while earnings used to peak in the late 50s, modern data shows the plateau starting earlier. Companies are increasingly valuing mid-career professionals who are tech-savvy but also have enough experience to lead.
The Glide Path: 55 and Beyond
As workers hit the 55-to-64 range, the median begins a slow descent to $1,322 per week ($68,744 annually).
By age 65 and over, it drops to $1,193 per week ($62,036 annually).
Don't mistake this for people getting pay cuts. Usually, this reflects a change in life priority. Many high earners in their 60s move into "consulting" roles, work fewer hours, or retire early, which pulls the median down. Others might move into lower-stress roles to coast toward social security eligibility.
What the Numbers Don't Tell You
Statistics are great, but they can be misleading if you don't look at the context.
First, the gender pay gap remains a stubborn reality. In the 35-to-44 bracket, men earn a median of $1,504 weekly, while women earn $1,226. That’s a gap of nearly $15,000 a year. This gap often widens during the "peak" years, partly due to the "motherhood penalty"—the career stagnation many women face after taking time off for childcare.
Second, geography changes everything. A $70,000 salary in McAllen, Texas, feels like wealth. That same $70,000 in San Francisco or Manhattan barely covers a studio apartment and a metro card. According to 2025 Fidelity reports, states like Massachusetts and Washington have median salaries nearly 30% higher than the national average, but the cost of living usually eats that surplus.
Finally, education is still the biggest "cheat code." BLS data shows that workers with a bachelor’s degree earn a median of $1,747 per week, while those with only a high school diploma earn $980. Over a 40-year career, that’s a multi-million dollar difference.
Actionable Steps to Beat the Median
Knowing the median US salaries by age group helps you benchmark, but it shouldn't be a ceiling. If you find yourself below the median for your age, here is how you actually move the needle:
- The Three-Year Rule: If you haven't had a significant raise or promotion in three years, your market value is likely higher elsewhere. Frequent job switching in your 20s and 30s is statistically linked to higher lifetime earnings.
- Skill Stacking: Don't just get better at your job. Learn a "force multiplier" skill. If you're a writer, learn SEO. If you're a builder, learn project management software.
- Negotiate Every Time: Most people accept the first offer. Even a 5% increase on a $60,000 starting salary compounds into hundreds of thousands of dollars over a career.
- Certifications Over Degrees: If you’re mid-career, don't go back for a second master's degree. Look for high-value certifications (like PMP or AWS) that take months, not years, to complete but can bump your salary by 10-15%.
Comparing yourself to a median is just a way to see where you stand in the crowd. The goal isn't to be "average"—it's to understand the landscape so you can navigate your own path.