Report reveals average salary in United States by age, education level, and gender.
Each year, the United States updates income statistics, revealing not only the average salary but also how it is affected by demographic and social factors. The latest report shows significant increases in income, but also exposes persistent inequalities. We analyze the most recent figures by age, educational background, and gender to better understand how money is truly distributed among American workers.
### General Average and Recent Growth
According to the report for the first quarter of 2025, the average weekly salary for full-time workers reached $1,194. This represents a 4.8% increase compared to the same period the previous year. Translated into monthly income, this implies around $5,174 and annually, approximately $62,088. This growth reflects a positive trend in terms of income, although it also raises questions about equitable access to these salary improvements and disparities based on other factors.
### How Much is Earned by Age?
One of the most determining elements of income is age. Salaries tend to increase in the early stages of a work life, reaching their peak between 45 and 54 years old, before experiencing a slight decline in the decades leading up to retirement. The most recent data indicates the following annual averages:
– 16 to 19 years: $33,696
– 20 to 24 years: $41,184
– 25 to 34 years: $58,500
– 35 to 44 years: $69,264
– 45 to 54 years: $71,552
– 55 to 64 years: $67,704
– 65 years or older: $63,544
This progression reflects the value placed on experience, but also highlights that income does not increase indefinitely with age.
### The Key Role of Educational Level
Another fundamental factor in wage structure is education level attained. The higher the education, the higher the income. Individuals with advanced university degrees lead salary averages, while those with only primary or secondary education receive significantly lower compensation. These are the average annual incomes based on educational background:
Postgraduate degree: $101,972
Bachelor’s degree: $83,356
Associate degree or partial university studies: $56,992
High school diploma: $49,556
Primary education: $38,636
The difference between having or not having a professional degree can exceed $60,000 annually, marking a clear opportunity gap.
Gender inequality: a persistent gap
Despite social advances, the wage gap between men and women persists. According to BLS data, the average weekly income for men is $1,307, while for women it is $1,096. This difference is also influenced by racial and ethnic factors.
Income ratio of women compared to men in the same group:
– Black women: 96.8%
– Hispanic women: 88.7%
– White women: 82.2%
– Asian women: 79.9%
Although in some cases the gap is smaller, women in all groups earn less than their male counterparts. This highlights a structural problem that has not yet been solved.
This analysis shows that the average salary in the United States cannot be understood without considering factors such as age, education, and gender. Although overall incomes have increased, challenges in terms of wage equity remain evident.
