The salary Americans say they need to feel successful at every age—it's over $500,000 for Gen Z
Earning a big salary can be a sign of broader success. For corporate ladder-climbers, it could indicate years of effort to level up. For others, like doctors and lawyers, it may reflect years of education and strong academic performance.
But regardless of how you get there, Americans, on average, say it takes an annual salary of $270,214 to be financially successful, according to a recent survey by Empower, a financial services company.
That's more than three times the median household income of $80,610, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In fact, just 10% of U.S. households earned more than $234,900 in 2023.
But with living costs pinching even high earners and the fact that more money almost always brings individuals more happiness, it's understandable that Americans say you need a substantial salary to be considered successful.
While the average salary Americans say they need to be successful is high compared with what the average person is currently earning, Gen Z sets their sights even higher. The average salary adults between the ages of 18 and 27 say they need to be successful is $587,797, Empower found.
