The median individual income in the United States is approximately $42,000 per year — but that national figure tells only part of the story. A $60,000 income places you near the 70th percentile in Mississippi and closer to the 58th percentile in Massachusetts. Your income percentile by state reflects where you stand among the people you actually live alongside, compete in the job market with, and pay rent or mortgages next to.
This guide covers income percentile data for all 50 states using U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 one-year estimates — the most recent data available. All figures reflect individual income for people aged 15 and older who report any income, including wages, self-employment, retirement income, and government transfers.
Key national benchmarks (ACS 2024 individual income):
| Percentile | Income Threshold | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | ~$14,000 | You earn more than 10% of individual earners |
| 25th | ~$30,000 | You earn more than 25% of individual earners |
| 50th (median) | ~$42,000 | You earn more than half of all earners |
| 75th | ~$78,000 | You earn more than 75% of individual earners |
| 90th | ~$134,000 | Top 10% — you earn more than 90% of earners |
| 95th | ~$185,000 | Top 5% threshold |
| 99th | ~$430,000 | Top 1% threshold |
To find your exact national income percentile, use the income percentile calculator. To see how age affects your rank, see income percentile by age.
All 50 States: Median Individual Income Ranked (ACS 2024)
The table below ranks all 50 states by median individual income — the midpoint income for all residents aged 15+ who report income. The national rank runs from 1 (highest median) to 50 (lowest median). The national percentile column shows what percentile the state’s median income corresponds to on the national scale.
| Rank | State | Median Individual Income | Nat’l Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $44,000 | ~52nd |
| 2 | Maryland | $43,500 | ~52nd |
| 3 | New Jersey | $43,000 | ~51st |
| 4 | Connecticut | $42,500 | ~51st |
| 5 | Washington | $42,000 | ~50th |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $42,000 | ~50th |
| 7 | Colorado | $41,500 | ~50th |
| 8 | Virginia | $41,000 | ~49th |
| 9 | California | $40,500 | ~49th |
| 9 | Minnesota | $40,500 | ~49th |
| 11 | Hawaii | $40,000 | ~48th |
| 12 | Alaska | $39,500 | ~48th |
| 13 | Utah | $39,000 | ~47th |
| 13 | North Dakota | $39,000 | ~47th |
| 13 | Wyoming | $39,000 | ~47th |
| 13 | New York | $39,000 | ~47th |
| 17 | Illinois | $38,500 | ~46th |
| 17 | Delaware | $38,500 | ~46th |
| 17 | Rhode Island | $38,500 | ~46th |
| 17 | Vermont | $38,500 | ~46th |
| 21 | Oregon | $38,000 | ~46th |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $38,000 | ~46th |
| 21 | Texas | $38,000 | ~46th |
| 24 | Georgia | $37,500 | ~45th |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $37,500 | ~45th |
| 26 | Michigan | $37,000 | ~45th |
| 26 | Ohio | $37,000 | ~45th |
| 28 | North Carolina | $36,500 | ~44th |
| 28 | Arizona | $36,500 | ~44th |
| 28 | Iowa | $36,500 | ~44th |
| 31 | Nebraska | $36,000 | ~44th |
| 31 | Maine | $36,000 | ~44th |
| 33 | Montana | $35,500 | ~43rd |
| 33 | South Dakota | $35,500 | ~43rd |
| 33 | Indiana | $35,500 | ~43rd |
| 33 | Kansas | $35,500 | ~43rd |
| 33 | Nevada | $35,500 | ~43rd |
| 38 | Missouri | $35,000 | ~43rd |
| 38 | Idaho | $35,000 | ~43rd |
| 38 | Florida | $35,000 | ~43rd |
| 38 | Tennessee | $35,000 | ~43rd |
| 42 | South Carolina | $34,500 | ~42nd |
| 43 | Kentucky | $33,000 | ~41st |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $33,000 | ~41st |
| 45 | Alabama | $32,500 | ~41st |
| 46 | New Mexico | $31,000 | ~40th |
| 46 | Louisiana | $31,000 | ~40th |
| 48 | Arkansas | $30,000 | ~39th |
| 49 | West Virginia | $29,000 | ~38th |
| 50 | Mississippi | $28,500 | ~37th |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-Year Estimates. Figures are rounded to the nearest $500 and represent all individuals aged 15+ who report any income. Washington, D.C. (not a state) has a median individual income of approximately $55,000.
Key observation: The range spans $15,500 between the highest (Massachusetts, $44,000) and lowest (Mississippi, $28,500) state medians. Even at the state median, most Americans are below the national 50th percentile — because the national distribution is pushed up by very high earners at the top.
Highest-Income States: Top 10 Breakdown
The ten states with the highest individual incomes share a common thread: high concentrations of industries that pay well above the national average.
1. Massachusetts — Median $44,000 Massachusetts leads the nation in individual income, driven by its concentration of biotech, healthcare, education (Harvard, MIT, Boston College), financial services, and defense technology. Greater Boston is one of the most expensive metro areas in the US, and compensation reflects it. The top 10% individual income threshold in Massachusetts is approximately $195,000 — well above the national $134,000.
2. Maryland — Median $43,500 Maryland’s proximity to Washington, D.C., generates enormous federal government, defense contracting, and cybersecurity employment. The state has a disproportionate share of workers with advanced degrees and federal salary scales, which elevates overall income.
3. New Jersey — Median $43,000 New Jersey benefits from its position between New York City and Philadelphia. Many residents commute into Manhattan for finance, law, and media jobs while living in New Jersey. The pharmaceutical industry (Johnson & Johnson HQ) also anchors high-wage employment.
4. Connecticut — Median $42,500 Connecticut hosts the headquarters of several major insurance companies and has a large financial services workforce. Fairfield County, bordering New York City, has among the highest household incomes of any county in the US.
5–10. Washington, New Hampshire, Colorado, Virginia, California, Minnesota — Medians $40,500–$42,000 These states share several characteristics: major tech hubs (Seattle, Denver, San Jose, Minneapolis), significant federal or defense presence (Virginia’s Pentagon corridor, Colorado’s Air Force bases), and strong educational attainment among the workforce.
Lowest-Income States: Bottom 10 Breakdown
The 10 lowest-income states are concentrated in the South and Appalachia, regions historically characterized by agricultural economies, limited educational attainment, and lower industry diversity.
| State | Median Individual Income | Gap vs National Median |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $28,500 | -$13,500 |
| West Virginia | $29,000 | -$13,000 |
| Arkansas | $30,000 | -$12,000 |
| Louisiana | $31,000 | -$11,000 |
| New Mexico | $31,000 | -$11,000 |
| Alabama | $32,500 | -$9,500 |
| Kentucky | $33,000 | -$9,000 |
| Oklahoma | $33,000 | -$9,000 |
| South Carolina | $34,500 | -$7,500 |
| Tennessee | $35,000 | -$7,000 |
Important context: Lower nominal incomes in these states are partially offset by lower costs of living. Housing, food, transportation, and healthcare costs are meaningfully lower in Mississippi than in Massachusetts. The BLS Regional Price Parities index shows that the cost of goods and services in Mississippi is approximately 14% below the national average, while Massachusetts is about 8% above it. Adjusting for this: a $28,500 income in Mississippi has roughly the same purchasing power as $36,000 in Massachusetts.
That said, the gap in access to healthcare, education quality, and infrastructure between high- and low-income states is real and does not disappear in cost-of-living-adjusted terms.
State vs National Percentile: Why They Diverge
Your income can put you in very different percentile positions depending on whether you measure against your state or the nation as a whole.
Worked example — $75,000 individual income:
| State | State Percentile (approx.) | National Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | ~83rd | ~67th |
| West Virginia | ~82nd | ~67th |
| Arkansas | ~80th | ~67th |
| Ohio | ~74th | ~67th |
| National average | ~67th | ~67th |
| Texas | ~66th | ~67th |
| Virginia | ~63rd | ~67th |
| California | ~61st | ~67th |
| New Jersey | ~60th | ~67th |
| Massachusetts | ~59th | ~67th |
The same $75,000 income places you in the 83rd percentile among Mississippians — solidly upper-income in that context — while landing you at the 59th percentile in Massachusetts, barely above the local middle.
Why this matters for financial decisions:
- Salary negotiation: Use state percentiles when evaluating whether a job offer is competitive in your local market.
- Cost-of-living moves: If you’re considering relocating, the national percentile helps you compare across state lines.
- Financial planning: Retirement savings needs, emergency fund targets, and lifestyle benchmarks are better calibrated to local costs than national averages.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Income by State
Nominal income percentiles can mislead. A dollar in Mississippi buys significantly more than a dollar in California. The BLS publishes Regional Price Parities (RPPs) that allow apples-to-apples income comparisons across states.
BLS Regional Price Parity Index by State (selected states, 2024): National average = 100. Higher = more expensive.
| State | RPP Index | What $50,000 buys nationally | Equivalent in this state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 119.3 | $50,000 standard | $41,900 real |
| California | 116.4 | $50,000 standard | $43,000 real |
| New York | 115.8 | $50,000 standard | $43,200 real |
| Massachusetts | 108.1 | $50,000 standard | $46,200 real |
| Florida | 103.4 | $50,000 standard | $48,400 real |
| National average | 100.0 | $50,000 standard | $50,000 real |
| Ohio | 93.7 | $50,000 standard | $53,400 real |
| Georgia | 92.8 | $50,000 standard | $53,900 real |
| Tennessee | 91.5 | $50,000 standard | $54,600 real |
| Arkansas | 88.2 | $50,000 standard | $56,700 real |
| Mississippi | 86.3 | $50,000 standard | $57,900 real |
Source: BLS Regional Price Parities, 2024. “Real” equivalent is nominal income ÷ (RPP/100).
Practical example — comparing two offers: Suppose you earn $90,000 in San Francisco (California RPP: 116.4) and are offered $70,000 in Nashville (Tennessee RPP: 91.5):
- Real value in California: $90,000 ÷ 1.164 = $77,300
- Real value in Tennessee: $70,000 ÷ 0.915 = $76,500
The $20,000 nominal pay cut almost completely disappears in real terms. Your national income percentile would drop, but your purchasing power stays similar.
Top 10% Income Threshold by State
To reach the top 10% of individual earners in your state, you need to surpass the 90th percentile income threshold for that state. Because income distributions are wider (more inequality) in high-income states — due to the presence of many very high earners in finance, technology, and medicine — the P90 threshold scales up sharply in the wealthiest states.
Approximate individual income needed to reach top 10% by state:
| State | ~Top 10% Threshold | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | ~$195,000 | 1 |
| New Jersey | ~$190,000 | 2 |
| Connecticut | ~$188,000 | 3 |
| Maryland | ~$185,000 | 4 |
| New York | ~$183,000 | 5 |
| California | ~$180,000 | 6 |
| Washington | ~$178,000 | 7 |
| Colorado | ~$168,000 | 8 |
| Virginia | ~$165,000 | 9 |
| Minnesota | ~$158,000 | 10 |
| National | ~$134,000 | — |
| Texas | ~$145,000 | 20 |
| Florida | ~$135,000 | 29 |
| Ohio | ~$120,000 | 38 |
| Tennessee | ~$112,000 | 43 |
| Alabama | ~$107,000 | 46 |
| Arkansas | ~$100,000 | 48 |
| West Virginia | ~$96,000 | 49 |
| Mississippi | ~$93,000 | 50 |
These thresholds are approximations based on ACS 2024 state income distribution data and are rounded to the nearest $1,000. High-income states show significantly higher P90 thresholds due to concentration of very high earners in major metros.
High-income states have both higher medians AND wider gaps between the median and the top 10%. In Massachusetts, the top 10% threshold is about 4.4x the median ($195k ÷ $44k). In Mississippi, it’s about 3.3x the median ($93k ÷ $28.5k). This reflects higher income inequality in wealthy states driven by tech, finance, and healthcare executive compensation.
For the full picture of top-end income thresholds, see our guide to top 1% income in the US.
Individual vs Household Income Percentile by State
The data above covers individual income — your personal earnings and income from all sources. This is different from household income, which combines the earnings of everyone living in your home.
The distinction matters significantly for state comparisons:
- High-earner states tend to have more dual-income households, which amplifies household income percentile differences between states even further than individual income differences.
- Southern states have lower labor force participation rates, particularly among women, which means individual and household income gaps between states do not track perfectly.
National individual vs household income medians (ACS 2024):
- Median individual income: ~$42,000
- Median household income: ~$80,610
The household median is nearly double the individual median. This reflects that the typical US household has approximately 1.5–2 income earners. See our US median household income by state guide for the state-by-state household breakdown.
For salary comparisons (evaluating a job offer, negotiating pay), use individual income data — your compensation doesn’t change based on who you live with. For cost-of-living and budgeting decisions, household income is more relevant because it reflects the total resources available to your household.
Income Percentile by State for Full-Time Workers
The state medians above include all earners — retirees on Social Security, part-time retail workers, students with part-time jobs. If you work full-time, year-round, you should compare to the full-time worker distribution.
National individual income benchmarks for full-time, year-round workers (ACS 2024):
| Percentile | Full-Time Income |
|---|---|
| 25th | ~$38,000 |
| 50th (median) | ~$58,000 |
| 75th | ~$100,000 |
| 90th | ~$165,000 |
These thresholds are approximately 35–40% higher than the all-earner figures. The same pattern applies at the state level: full-time worker incomes are higher in every state, and the relative state rankings remain mostly the same.
Why it matters: If you’re comparing your salary to national or state averages as a benchmark for raises or career progress, you’re much better served by comparing to full-time workers in your occupation and state — not the all-earner population which includes many part-time and retired individuals.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics publishes median wages by occupation for every state, which is the most precise benchmark for evaluating your pay as a full-time professional.
How to Use State Income Data in Financial Planning
State income percentile data is most useful when applied to specific financial decisions. Here are the most common scenarios:
1. Evaluating a salary offer or raise Use the state-level percentile context. If you’re offered $80,000 in Ohio, that puts you around the 76th percentile in Ohio — comfortably above the local middle income. The same offer in New York City metro would land closer to the 60th percentile. Neither is “right” — but understanding where you rank helps you assess whether the offer is competitive for your local labor market.
2. Planning how much to save The middle class income guide defines middle class as roughly the 20th to 80th percentile nationally. Your state’s income distribution shapes what middle class feels like day-to-day. In California, a $70,000 income is squarely middle class in most of the state (58th percentile nationally) but can feel economically strained in San Francisco or San Jose.
3. Setting an emergency fund target Most financial planners recommend 3–6 months of expenses. Your expenses are largely set by local housing costs, which vary enormously by state. The BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey shows average annual housing costs ranging from roughly $12,000/year in Mississippi to $28,000/year in California. Your state’s cost profile should anchor your savings targets.
4. Assessing retirement readiness If you’re planning to retire in your current state, your income percentile in that state is a useful benchmark for setting savings targets. If you’re considering relocating in retirement — which many Americans do for lower tax burdens and costs — compare your retirement income to the destination state’s distribution. See our guide to average income for retirement income context.
Which States Have Seen the Largest Income Growth?
Income growth between 2020 and 2024 was uneven across states. Post-pandemic migration patterns, remote work, and industry shifts accelerated income growth in some unexpected states.
Fastest-growing states by median individual income (2020–2024, ACS):
- Utah and Colorado — Remote workers moving from California bidding up wages locally; strong tech sector growth in Salt Lake City and Denver
- Montana and Idaho — Significant in-migration from California and the Pacific Northwest; pandemic-era remote work lifted local wages
- Florida and Texas — Business relocations from higher-tax states, population growth, and financial services expansion drove income gains
- Georgia — Atlanta’s emergence as a major tech hub (Salesforce, Microsoft, fintech) accelerated professional wage growth
Slowest income growth states (2020–2024):
- New York, California, and Illinois saw more modest income growth partly due to high-earner out-migration during and after the pandemic
- West Virginia, Mississippi, and Louisiana saw some growth from federal stimulus and infrastructure spending, but remain at the bottom of state income rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Income percentile by state questions are among the most commonly searched personal finance queries. Here are the answers to the most frequent ones.
Does moving to a lower-income state improve my financial position? It can — in two ways. First, your nominal income may go further because of lower housing, tax, and cost-of-living expenses. Second, your state-relative income percentile often improves if your salary doesn’t drop proportionally with costs. However, state income taxes, job market depth, and career advancement opportunities vary significantly. A $120,000 salary in New York may offer more career mobility and long-term earning potential than a $95,000 salary in Arkansas even if the latter has higher purchasing power today.
Are income percentiles the same as wealth percentiles by state? No — income and wealth (net worth) are distinct measures and do not rank identically across states. Wealth is accumulated over time and depends on homeownership, inheritance, investment returns, and savings rates. A high-income state may have residents with relatively lower wealth if housing costs have prevented wealth accumulation. See the net worth percentile calculator for wealth-specific comparisons.
Do state income percentile figures include Social Security and retirement income? Yes. The ACS individual income measure includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, retirement account distributions, rental income, interest, dividends, and government transfer payments. This is why the median can be lower than you might expect — retirees living primarily on Social Security are included in the distribution and reduce the median.
What’s Next
State income percentile data gives you the geographic context your national rank can’t provide. Use these tools and guides to build on this analysis:
- Income Percentile Calculator — Enter your income and get your exact national percentile instantly, broken down by age group
- Income Percentile by Age — See how your income ranks against peers in your age bracket
- Average Income in the US — National average and median income breakdowns for context
- Top 1% Income — What it takes to reach the top 1% nationally and by state
- Median Household Income by State — Household income data for all 50 states with trend analysis
- Middle Class Income Thresholds — Where the middle class begins and ends by income level
All data in this article is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2024 one-year estimates and Bureau of Labor Statistics regional price data. Figures are updated annually as new ACS data is released. Individual income figures cover all persons aged 15 and older who report any income from any source.
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy