Median household income by education U.S. 2023

U.S. citizens with a professional degree had the highest median household income in 2023, at 172,100 U.S. dollars. In comparison, those with less than a 9th grade education made significantly less money, at 35,690 U.S. dollars.

Household income

The median household income in the United States has fluctuated since 1990, but rose to around 70,000 U.S. dollars in 2021. Maryland had the highest median household income in the United States in 2021. Maryland’s high levels of wealth is due to several reasons, and includes the state's proximity to the nation's capital.

Household income and ethnicity

The median income of white non-Hispanic households in the United States had been on the rise since 1990, but declining since 2019. While income has also been on the rise, the median income of Hispanic households was much lower than those of white, non-Hispanic private households. However, the median income of Black households is even lower than Hispanic households. Income inequality is a problem without an easy solution in the United States, especially since ethnicity is a contributing factor. Systemic racism contributes to the non-White population suffering from income inequality, which causes the opportunity for growth to stagnate.

Median household income in the United States in 2023, by educational attainment of householder (in U.S. dollars)

Characteristic	Median income in current U.S. dollars
Less than 9th grade	35,690
9th to 12th grade (no diploma)	37,330
High School Graduate (includes equivalency)	55,810
Some College, No Degree	70,470
Associate Degree	78,620
Bachelor's Degree	117,600
Master's Degree	136,500
Professional Degree	172,100
Doctorate	170,900

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Release date

September 2024

More information

Region

United States

Survey time period

2023

Supplementary notes

Medians are calculated using 2,500 U.S. dollars income intervals. Beginning with 2009 income data, the Census Bureau expanded the upper income intervals used to calculate medians to 250,000 U.S. dollars or more. Medians falling in the upper open-ended interval are plugged with “$250,000.” Before 2009, the upper open-ended interval was 100,000 U.S. dollars and a plug of “$100,000” was used.

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