Income follows a predictable arc throughout life — rising quickly in your 20s, peaking in your 40s-50s, and declining after retirement. Here’s the complete picture.
Table of Contents
Average and Median Income by Age
Age Group
Mean (Average) Income
Median Income
75th Percentile
90th Percentile
16-19
$12,400
$8,600
$15,000
$22,000
20-24
$35,400
$30,000
$42,000
$55,000
25-29
$48,200
$40,000
$58,000
$78,000
30-34
$58,400
$47,000
$68,000
$95,000
35-39
$65,200
$52,000
$78,000
$112,000
40-44
$69,800
$55,000
$84,000
$125,000
45-49
$72,000
$56,000
$86,000
$130,000
50-54
$72,800
$55,000
$85,000
$128,000
55-59
$68,400
$52,000
$80,000
$120,000
60-64
$58,600
$45,000
$70,000
$105,000
65+
$44,600
$32,000
$55,000
$85,000
The average is always higher than the median because high earners pull the mean up.
Income by Age and Gender
Age Group
Men (Median)
Women (Median)
Gap
20-24
$32,000
$28,000
$4,000
25-34
$48,000
$42,000
$6,000
35-44
$60,000
$48,000
$12,000
45-54
$62,000
$50,000
$12,000
55-64
$58,000
$46,000
$12,000
65+
$38,000
$26,000
$12,000
The gender pay gap widens significantly after age 35, often coinciding with parenthood.
Income by Age and Education
Median Income
Age
High School
Some College
Bachelor’s
Master’s+
25-29
$32,000
$36,000
$52,000
$58,000
30-34
$36,000
$42,000
$62,000
$72,000
35-44
$40,000
$48,000
$72,000
$88,000
45-54
$42,000
$50,000
$78,000
$96,000
55-64
$38,000
$46,000
$72,000
$90,000
Lifetime Earnings by Education
Education Level
Estimated Lifetime Earnings (Age 25-64)
vs. High School
Less than high school
$1,100,000
-$340,000
High school diploma
$1,440,000
Baseline
Some college/associate’s
$1,680,000
+$240,000
Bachelor’s degree
$2,520,000
+$1,080,000
Master’s degree
$3,060,000
+$1,620,000
Professional degree (MD, JD)
$3,900,000
+$2,460,000
Doctoral degree
$3,480,000
+$2,040,000
A bachelor’s degree adds over $1 million in lifetime earnings compared to a high school diploma.
