Feb 15, 2026
Do you feel like you’re falling behind financially? You’re not alone.
A survey by Navigator found that 53% of U.S. adults feel behind where they expected to be financially, and 28% say they are falling “far behind” (1). If you’re experiencing this kind of financial anxiety, it’s completely normal.
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To get a more accurate perspective, it helps to compare yourself with peers in your age group. Younger workers haven’t had as much time to develop the skills or experience needed for higher pay, while older workers often have more time to climb the corporate ladder.
With that in mind, here’s the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on median earnings by age groups (2).
20s
Your 20s are the early stages of your career, so it’s no surprise that most workers in this age group earn less than older counterparts.
According to BLS data from the third quarter of 2025, the median salary for workers aged 21–24 is $41,392, while for those aged 25–34, the median is $59,800.
In other words, if you earn more than $60,000 a year and were born in the 2000s, you are earning more than half of your peers.
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30s
If you’re fortunate, your 30s are prime years for a career boost. You have enough experience to negotiate higher pay and still have plenty of energy to handle the additional responsibilities.
Economists expect steady pay growth during this stage. According to the Tax Foundation, this period represents the early ramp-up in the inverted U curve of income across age groups (3). This is when your paycheck typically starts expanding.
For workers aged 35–44, the median salary is $72,020, according to the BLS. This is the highest median of any age cohort, making it the stage when many experience peak earnings.
40s
For most people, the 40s are more about stability than growth. You may not have reached the top of your career ladder, but you’re likely approaching it.
The median annual salary for those aged 45–54 is $71,604, roughly the same as the 35–44 cohort, according to the BLS. Earning six figures at this age puts you well ahead of many peers.
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If your income is below the media, there’s still time to catch up. Alternatively, you can focus on controlling expenses and saving aggressively, potentially putting yourself in a stronger position for retirement than higher-earning peers.
Read More: Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
50s and 60s
The data paints a clear picture for people in their 50s: this is often a period of declining earnings but peak wealth.
Many workers at this age are approaching retirement and considering reducing work hours. In fact, most millionaires in the U.S. reach seven-figure net worth in their 50s and 60s, according to Empower’s analysis of government data (4). This allows many older Americans to shift from active income to passive income around this age.
For some, declining income is more about health and energy limitations than a lack of personal assets. About 52% of retirees reported leaving work earlier than expected, usually for health reasons, according to Manulife John Hancock Retirement’s Financial Resilience and Longevity Report (5).
This trend is clearly reflected in the BLS income data. The median salary for those aged 55–64 is $68,744, only slightly higher than workers in their late 20s and early 30s. The decline is more noticeable for those over 65, with a median salary of $62,036.
In other words, if you’re in your late 50s or 60s and still working full-time at peak earnings, you are likely earning more than half of your peers.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Naviagtor (1); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2); Tax Foundation (3); Empower (4); Manulife Retirement (5).
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Vishesh Raisinghani is a financial journalist covering personal finance, investing and the global economy. He's also the founder of Sharpe Ascension Inc., a content marketing agency focused on investment firms. His work has appeared in Moneywise, Yahoo Finance!, Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha, Mergers & Acquisitions Magazine and Piggybank.
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