How much should a 28-year-old make?

The median full-time income at age 28 is approximately $45,000 per year. Workers with bachelor's degrees typically earn $50,000-$72,000. If you're earning $42,000-$58,000 at 28, you're in the average to above-average range depending on your location and field.

Is $60,000 a good salary at 28?

Yes — $60,000 at 28 puts you roughly in the top 25-30% for your age group. That's a strong position. Combined with consistent retirement contributions and a manageable debt load, you're well positioned for financial stability going into your 30s.

What should I be earning by 28 with a college degree?

With a bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of experience, $50,000-$72,000 is a realistic target at 28, depending on your major. STEM and finance graduates often hit $75,000-$95,000 by 28. Business and marketing graduates typically range from $50,000-$68,000.

Am I falling behind if I earn $35,000 at 28?

$35,000 at 28 puts you below the median for full-time workers your age. If you're in a low-cost area or a field with delayed peak earnings (like education or social work), it may be fine. But if you're in a market where peers with similar skills earn significantly more, it's worth evaluating a move or a raise request.

How Much Should I Make at 28? Salary Benchmarks and Career Milestones

By 28, you’ve had enough time in the workforce to establish a real earnings baseline. Whether you’ve been building career capital for 3-5 years or recently changed directions, here’s exactly where a 28-year-old should stand.

Income Benchmarks at 28

Percentile	Annual Income	What It Means
25th percentile	$30,000	Below median — service sector, low-wage, or part-time
50th percentile (median)	$45,000	Average full-time worker at 28
75th percentile	$65,000	Above average — skilled trade, degree with experience
90th percentile	$92,000	Top earner — tech, medicine, finance, or law

Source: BLS Current Population Survey (2024), full-time workers aged 25-34.

Quick Scorecard at 28

Your Annual Income	Rating
Under $30,000	Below average — time to reassess career direction
$30,000 – $44,999	Average (lower half) — room to grow
$45,000 – $64,999	Above average — solidly on track
$65,000 – $91,999	Well above average — top quartile
$92,000+	Top 10% for age 28

Income by Education Level at 28

Education Level	Typical Salary at 28
High school diploma	$30,000 – $46,000
Associate degree / Trade cert	$40,000 – $58,000
Bachelor’s degree (arts/social science)	$42,000 – $58,000
Bachelor’s degree (business/accounting)	$55,000 – $72,000
Bachelor’s degree (engineering/CS)	$75,000 – $100,000
Bachelor’s degree (nursing/healthcare)	$60,000 – $80,000
Bachelor’s degree (finance)	$62,000 – $85,000
Master’s degree	$60,000 – $95,000+

Income by Major Field at 28

Field / Sector	Typical Salary Range
Retail / Food Service	$28,000 – $42,000
Administrative / Office	$38,000 – $54,000
Construction / Skilled Trades	$46,000 – $68,000
Healthcare (RN, Technician)	$58,000 – $82,000
Education (Teacher, K-12)	$42,000 – $58,000
Finance / Accounting	$58,000 – $82,000
Technology / Software Engineering	$80,000 – $110,000
Engineering (civil, mechanical)	$70,000 – $92,000
Marketing / Communications	$44,000 – $62,000
Sales	$45,000 – $85,000
Law (associate, paralegal)	$55,000 – $90,000

What “On Track” Looks Like at 28

At 28, income isn’t the only metric. The broader financial picture matters:

Milestone	On Track at 28
Emergency fund	$10,000 – $18,000 (4-6 months expenses)
Retirement savings	$15,000 – $35,000 (early accumulation)
Student loans	Making progress, DTI under 36%
Credit score	680+
Income growth rate	Averaging 5-8% per year since first job

Income trajectory from 28:

Age 28: $45,000–$65,000
Age 32: $55,000–$80,000 (senior IC or first team lead)
Age 35: $65,000–$95,000 (manager or specialist)
Age 40: $75,000–$120,000 (peak mid-career)

How to Accelerate Income at 28

1. Make your first real job-switch if you haven’t. Employees who switch jobs earn on average 18-20% more than those who stay. At 28, you have enough experience to command a real pay jump.

2. Target senior or lead roles. Moving from “associate” to “senior” in most fields is the biggest single salary step, often worth $10,000-$20,000. Push for that title change at your current employer or hunt it externally.

3. Quantify your contributions. By 28, you have real work outputs. Translate them into numbers: “reduced processing time by 30%,” “managed $2M in client accounts,” “grew regional sales 18%.” These translate directly to raises.

4. Build your professional network seriously. Most jobs past 28 are won through referrals. Invest in LinkedIn, attend industry events, and build real relationships before you need them.

5. Evaluate your location premium. Cities like San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Boston, and Austin pay 25-50% more than the national average for equivalent roles. Remote work has made this partially accessible anywhere.

The Bottom Line

The median 28-year-old earns about $45,000 per year. If you’re in the $42,000-$60,000 range, you’re in the average-to-solid zone. What matters now is building the skills, track record, and career capital to push toward $65,000-$85,000 by your early 30s — that trajectory sets you up for long-term financial strength.