How does your net worth compare to other Americans your age? Net worth — your total assets minus debts — is one of the most comprehensive measures of financial health. Here’s what the data shows.
Table of Contents
Average and Median Net Worth by Age
The average is significantly higher than the median at every age group because a small number of wealthy households pull the average up.
| Age Group | Average Net Worth | Median Net Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | $183,500 | $39,000 |
| 35–44 | $549,600 | $135,600 |
| 45–54 | $975,800 | $247,200 |
| 55–64 | $1,566,900 | $364,500 |
| 65–74 | $1,794,600 | $409,900 |
| 75+ | $1,624,100 | $335,600 |
Source: Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances (2022, adjusted to 2026 dollars).
Net Worth Percentiles by Age
Understanding where you fall relative to your peers gives a more complete picture than just comparing to the average.
Under 35
| Percentile | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 10th | -$27,000 |
| 25th | $4,500 |
| 50th (Median) | $39,000 |
| 75th | $154,000 |
| 90th | $404,000 |
Ages 35–44
| Percentile | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 10th | -$8,300 |
| 25th | $34,200 |
| 50th (Median) | $135,600 |
| 75th | $418,200 |
| 90th | $1,176,000 |
Ages 45–54
| Percentile | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 10th | -$3,200 |
| 25th | $56,000 |
| 50th (Median) | $247,200 |
| 75th | $737,000 |
| 90th | $2,036,000 |
Ages 55–64
| Percentile | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 10th | $1,100 |
| 25th | $71,500 |
| 50th (Median) | $364,500 |
| 75th | $1,155,000 |
| 90th | $3,360,000 |
Ages 65–74
| Percentile | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 10th | $8,500 |
| 25th | $96,000 |
| 50th (Median) | $409,900 |
| 75th | $1,312,000 |
| 90th | $3,738,000 |
For a more precise comparison, use our net worth percentile calculator.
What Makes Up American Net Worth?
The composition of net worth changes significantly by age:
| Asset Type | Under 35 | 35–54 | 55+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary residence | 32% | 34% | 30% |
| Retirement accounts | 18% | 25% | 27% |
| Other financial assets | 12% | 15% | 18% |
| Vehicles | 15% | 8% | 5% |
| Business equity | 8% | 10% | 12% |
| Other real estate | 5% | 8% | 8% |
For younger Americans, home equity and vehicles make up the largest share. For older Americans, retirement accounts and financial assets become dominant.
Net Worth Benchmarks by Age
Financial planners generally suggest these targets:
| Age | Target Net Worth | Rule of Thumb |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | $25,000+ | Start positive |
| 30 | 1x annual salary | $50,000–$60,000 |
| 35 | 2x annual salary | $100,000–$130,000 |
| 40 | 3x annual salary | $175,000–$210,000 |
| 45 | 4x annual salary | $250,000–$300,000 |
| 50 | 5x annual salary | $340,000–$400,000 |
| 55 | 7x annual salary | $475,000–$550,000 |
| 60 | 8x annual salary | $550,000–$640,000 |
| 65 | 10x annual salary | $680,000–$800,000 |
These are guidelines, not hard rules. Your actual target depends on your retirement goals, cost of living, and expected Social Security benefits.
How to Increase Your Net Worth
The two levers of net worth are growing assets and reducing debts:
Grow assets:
- Max out retirement accounts (401(k) limits, IRA limits)
- Build home equity through regular mortgage payments
- Invest consistently using compound interest
- Build an emergency fund to avoid debt setbacks
Reduce debts:
- Pay off high-interest debt first (debt payoff strategies)
- Avoid lifestyle inflation as income grows
- Keep your debt-to-income ratio low
- Refinance high-rate loans when possible (refinancing guide)
Average Net Worth by Education
Education has a significant impact on net worth accumulation:
| Education Level | Average Net Worth | Median Net Worth |
|---|---|---|
| No high school diploma | $196,800 | $37,500 |
| High school diploma | $380,200 | $95,400 |
| Some college | $497,300 | $117,900 |
| Bachelor’s degree | $1,519,200 | $367,200 |
| Graduate/professional degree | $2,298,600 | $607,800 |
Households headed by someone with a bachelor’s degree have a median net worth nearly 4x higher than those with only a high school diploma.
Average Net Worth by Race
Significant wealth gaps persist across racial groups:
| Race/Ethnicity | Average Net Worth | Median Net Worth |
|---|---|---|
| White | $1,278,000 | $285,000 |
| Black | $340,000 | $44,900 |
| Hispanic | $393,000 | $61,600 |
| Other | $737,000 | $156,000 |
The median white household has over 6x the net worth of the median Black household and 4.6x the net worth of the median Hispanic household.
Key Takeaways
- The average is misleading — median net worth ($192,900) is a much better measure of the “typical” American than the average ($1,063,700)
- Net worth grows sharply after 45 — compound growth in investments and home equity accelerate wealth building
- Negative net worth is common for young adults — student loans push many under-35 households into negative territory
- Home equity is the largest asset for most Americans, reinforcing why homeownership remains central to wealth building
- Education matters enormously — a bachelor’s degree is associated with 4x higher median net worth
