How Your Income Stacks Up: A Closer Look at U.S. Salary Progression Across Your Career

Your paycheck tells a story—but is it the right one for your age and experience level? Understanding income patterns across different life stages can help you benchmark your earnings and identify where you stand in the broader workforce. Whether you’re entering your first job at 22 or considering retirement strategies at 65, knowing what typical workers in your demographic earn is essential groundwork for long-term financial planning.

The Income Growth Pattern: What the Data Reveals

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks median weekly earnings across full-time workers, providing one of the most reliable snapshots of how compensation evolves with age. Unlike raw averages—which can be distorted by extreme highs and lows—medians show what the “typical” worker in each bracket actually takes home. Data from Q3 2022 reveals a clear upward trajectory through mid-career, with some surprising plateaus later on.

The progression is striking: a 16-year-old earning roughly $609 weekly ($31,668 annually) may see their income more than double by their early career years. By the time workers reach their mid-30s, that 25-year-old average income of roughly $52,000 annually represents a significant jump—marking the transition from entry-level to established professional status.

The Early Career Phase: Ages 16-34

Breaking into the Workforce (16-24)

Entry-level workers aged 16 to 19 represent the lowest earnings tier, with a median of $609 per week or $31,668 per year. This cohort includes high school students juggling summer jobs and early-career workers. The picture brightens in the 20-24 bracket, where median weekly earnings climb to $706, or approximately $36,712 annually—a modest but meaningful 7% increase that reflects early career advancement and education completion.

The Career Acceleration (25-34)

The most dramatic shift occurs between ages 25 and 34, when median income jumps to $1,003 per week or $52,156 annually. This nearly 40% increase from the previous bracket reflects the average income of 25-year-olds entering their prime earning potential, alongside workers in their early 30s who have accumulated experience and credentials. Many in this group have completed graduate degrees, moved into supervisory roles, or specialized in higher-paying fields. This decade represents the inflection point where career choices made in your 20s begin to compound into substantially different income levels.

Peak and Plateau: Ages 35-64

Mid-Career Stability (35-54)

Between ages 35 and 44, median weekly earnings reach $1,197 or $62,244 annually. The trajectory continues upward into the 45-54 age bracket, which shows the highest median at $1,224 weekly or $63,648 yearly. However, this is where growth notably slows. The week-to-week increase from 35-44 to 45-54 is just $27—a plateau that contradicts the assumption that earnings consistently rise throughout your entire career.

This period also unmasks the gender income gap. Men aged 35-44 earn a median of $1,299 weekly compared to $1,086 for women, a gap that widens slightly in the 45-54 group ($1,368 for men vs. $1,071 for women). These disparities underscore why comparing your compensation to broader demographics—and to same-gender peers—matters for understanding whether you’re fairly compensated.

The Pre-Retirement Years (55-64)

Rather than continuing upward, earnings actually dip in the 55-64 bracket to $1,172 weekly or $60,944 annually. Contributing factors include fewer total workers in this age group (20.2 million vs. 25.4 million aged 45-54) and workforce exits among those becoming eligible for Social Security at 62. Some departures reflect early retirement planning, while others signal workers who can’t sustain physically demanding careers.

The 65+ Transition

Workers aged 65 and older who remain full-time earn $991 weekly or $51,532 annually. The 5.4 million people still in the workforce at this stage present a mixed picture: some retired and returned part-time, others who haven’t accumulated sufficient retirement savings and continue working. The income is lower not necessarily because people earn less at this age, but because this group is self-selected based on who chooses to keep working.

What This Means for Your Financial Planning

Several patterns emerge from this data. First, income generally rises through your 30s as education completes and experience accumulates. Second, growth significantly slows or plateaus in your 40s and 50s—suggesting you should prioritize salary advancement or career changes before hitting this phase. Third, the data reflects only full-time workers, excluding unemployed, underemployed, and part-time workers whose actual collective income is substantially lower.

Additionally, these figures ignore investment income, passive revenue streams, and other non-salary compensation like stock options or retirement contributions. Your true financial picture requires looking beyond base salary.

Taking Control of Your Income Trajectory

If you find yourself below the median for your age group, investigate whether the issue is industry-wide or specific to your role. Sometimes shifting industries or roles—rather than simply requesting raises—produces the income growth your career stage warrants. Building diverse income streams, investing strategically, and planning for the 40s and 50s when earnings plateau are practical steps toward financial security.