Incomes vary widely across the United States, with some people making many times the amount that others earn. If you’ve ever wondered how your personal finances stack up, and what “class” your income officially puts you in, here’s what you need to know.
What income do you need to be upper, middle, or lower class?
Based on 2021 data, here’s what you would need to earn in order to be in each class:
- Lower class: This is defined as the bottom 20% of earners. Those in the lower class have an income at or below $28,007.
- Lower middle class: This is defined as individuals in the 20th to 40th percentile of household income. Earnings among this group are between $28,008 and $55,000
- Middle class: The middle class is officially those whose earnings put them in the 40th to 60th percentile of household income. The income range is $55,001 to $89,744.
- Upper middle class: Anyone with earnings in the 60th to 80th percentile would be considered upper middle class. Those in the upper middle class have incomes between $89,745 and $149,131.
- Upper class: Finally, the upper class is the top 20% of earners and they have incomes of $149,132 or higher.
Take a look at these numbers and see where you fall based on your own earnings. And remember, this is a snapshot in time — your earnings can change throughout your life, and so can your class designation.
Will your success be determined by your income and class?
It’s probably not a surprise that those in the upper classes or in the upper middle class do have…
