A complete, sourced guide to salaries, taxes, and cost of living in the United States — built for job seekers, professionals, students, expats, employers, and researchers comparing pay across 500+ professions and 15 industries.
*Many states and cities set a higher local minimum wage. Figures above are illustrative national averages — see Methodology for how they're calculated.
The United States has one of the widest salary ranges of any major economy — a reflection of its size, the diversity of its industries, and how much pay varies by state and city. A software engineer in San Francisco and a retail associate in rural Ohio are both part of the same national average, which is why understanding salary by profession, industry, and location matters more in the US than in smaller, more uniform economies.
Nationally, average pay is highest in technology, finance, healthcare, and law, and lowest in retail, hospitality, and entry-level customer service roles. Unlike many countries, most private-sector pay in the US is individually negotiated rather than set by national wage agreements, so posted "average" figures should be treated as a reference point rather than a guarantee for any specific offer.
All figures on this page are shown in USD and represent national average estimates. Actual pay for any individual role depends on experience, employer size, industry, and — significantly in the US — the state and city of employment.
| Profession | Industry | Avg. Monthly | Avg. Annual | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | Technology | $9,200 | $110,000 | $75,000 – $160,000 |
| Data Scientist | Technology | $9,600 | $115,000 | $85,000 – $165,000 |
| Product Manager | Technology | $10,400 | $125,000 | $90,000 – $180,000 |
| Web Developer | Technology | $7,000 | $84,000 | $55,000 – $120,000 |
| IT Support Specialist | Technology | $4,600 | $55,000 | $40,000 – $75,000 |
| Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $6,500 | $78,000 | $60,000 – $100,000 |
| Physician (General) | Healthcare | $18,300 | $220,000 | $180,000 – $300,000 |
| Dentist | Healthcare | $14,600 | $175,000 | $120,000 – $250,000 |
| Pharmacist | Healthcare | $10,800 | $130,000 | $110,000 – $150,000 |
| Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $7,900 | $95,000 | $75,000 – $110,000 |
| Civil Engineer | Engineering | $7,500 | $90,000 | $65,000 – $120,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $7,700 | $92,000 | $68,000 – $125,000 |
| Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $8,300 | $100,000 | $75,000 – $135,000 |
| Electrician | Construction | $5,400 | $65,000 | $45,000 – $90,000 |
| Plumber | Construction | $5,200 | $62,000 | $42,000 – $88,000 |
| Construction Worker | Construction | $3,800 | $46,000 | $34,000 – $62,000 |
| Architect | Construction | $7,200 | $86,000 | $60,000 – $120,000 |
| Teacher (K-12) | Education | $4,800 | $58,000 | $42,000 – $78,000 |
| University Professor | Education | $7,500 | $90,000 | $60,000 – $150,000 |
| School Administrator | Education | $6,800 | $82,000 | $60,000 – $110,000 |
| Retail Sales Associate | Retail | $2,800 | $34,000 | $28,000 – $42,000 |
| Retail Store Manager | Retail | $4,600 | $55,000 | $42,000 – $75,000 |
| Chef | Hospitality | $4,400 | $53,000 | $38,000 – $72,000 |
| Waiter / Waitress | Hospitality | $2,600 | $31,000 | $24,000 – $40,000 (excl. tips) |
| Hotel Manager | Hospitality | $5,400 | $65,000 | $48,000 – $90,000 |
| Factory Worker | Manufacturing | $3,400 | $41,000 | $32,000 – $52,000 |
| Production Manager | Manufacturing | $7,100 | $85,000 | $62,000 – $115,000 |
| Government Administrator | Government | $5,500 | $66,000 | $48,000 – $88,000 |
| Police Officer | Government | $5,300 | $64,000 | $48,000 – $85,000 |
| Truck Driver | Transportation | $4,300 | $52,000 | $40,000 – $70,000 |
| Logistics Manager | Transportation | $6,900 | $83,000 | $60,000 – $110,000 |
| Marketing Manager | Marketing | $8,300 | $100,000 | $70,000 – $140,000 |
| Digital Marketing Specialist | Marketing | $5,400 | $65,000 | $48,000 – $88,000 |
| Corporate Lawyer | Legal | $12,900 | $155,000 | $95,000 – $220,000 |
| Paralegal | Legal | $4,800 | $58,000 | $42,000 – $78,000 |
| Sales Representative | Sales | $5,000 | $60,000 | $40,000 – $95,000 (+ commission) |
| Account Executive | Sales | $6,900 | $83,000 | $55,000 – $130,000 |
| Customer Service Representative | Customer Service | $3,300 | $40,000 | $32,000 – $52,000 |
| Call Center Manager | Customer Service | $5,700 | $68,000 | $50,000 – $90,000 |
| Accountant | Finance | $6,200 | $75,000 | $52,000 – $100,000 |
| Financial Analyst | Finance | $7,300 | $88,000 | $60,000 – $120,000 |
| Investment Banker | Finance | $14,200 | $170,000 | $100,000 – $300,000+ |
| HR Manager | Various | $8,100 | $97,000 | $68,000 – $130,000 |
| Graphic Designer | Various | $4,700 | $56,000 | $40,000 – $78,000 |
Figures are illustrative national average estimates rounded for readability, not exact statistical values. See Methodology for how these are calculated.
For a worker earning close to the national average salary (~$5,800/month) with typical costs as shown above (roughly $3,200–$3,400/month before tax-adjusted spending), meaningful savings are possible but depend heavily on location and housing costs specifically. Workers in lower cost-of-living states generally retain a larger share of income than those in major coastal cities, even at a lower nominal salary.
| Illustrative Bracket | Rate |
|---|---|
| Lowest bracket | 10% |
| Lower-middle bracket | 12% – 22% |
| Middle bracket | 24% – 32% |
| Top brackets | 35% – 37% |
Illustrative structure only — exact income thresholds change yearly and depend on filing status. See irs.gov for current brackets.
National average asking rent is roughly $1,300/month for a studio, $1,500/month for a one-bedroom, and $1,850/month for a two-bedroom apartment. These figures can be 2–3× higher in cities like New York, San Francisco, or Boston, and meaningfully lower in much of the Midwest and South.
The median home price nationally sits in the range of roughly $400,000–$430,000, though this varies dramatically by market — from under $200,000 in some Midwest metro areas to well over $1,000,000 in parts of California.
Cities such as Oklahoma City, Indianapolis, Memphis, San Antonio, and Columbus consistently rank among the more affordable major US metro areas relative to local salaries, making them worth considering for anyone prioritizing housing affordability over big-city amenities.
The United States does not have universal public healthcare. Most working-age adults get health insurance through an employer, which typically covers a majority of the premium cost. Others buy individual coverage through the ACA marketplace, or qualify for public programs.
Medicare covers most adults 65 and older; Medicaid covers eligible low-income individuals and families. Everyone else generally relies on private insurance, whether employer-sponsored or individually purchased.
For employer-sponsored plans, the average employee contribution toward premiums is often in the range of $100–$200/month for individual coverage, with the employer covering the larger remaining share — though this varies significantly by employer and plan. Out-of-pocket costs (deductibles, copays) are separate and can add up quickly for major medical needs.
Public K-12 education is free and funded locally, which means school quality can vary significantly by neighborhood and district. Private K-12 schooling is available at additional cost, typically ranging from a few thousand to over $30,000 per year depending on the school.
Higher education tuition varies widely: public in-state tuition averages roughly $10,000–$12,000/year, public out-of-state roughly $28,000/year, and private university tuition often exceeds $40,000/year before financial aid.
Public transit quality varies enormously by city. Cities like New York, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. have extensive transit systems, while most of the country is car-dependent, with limited or no public transit outside city centers.
Owning a car is the norm for most of the country. Average gasoline prices typically range between roughly $3.00 and $4.00 per gallon, fluctuating with regional and global oil prices. Car insurance, registration, and maintenance add meaningfully to the total cost of car ownership.
The standard workweek is 40 hours, typically Monday to Friday. Unlike most developed economies, the US has no federally mandated minimum paid vacation — most employers offer between 10 and 15 days of paid time off per year, often increasing with tenure, plus a handful of public holidays.
Remote and hybrid work became widespread after 2020 and remains common, especially in technology and professional services. Typical benefits packages include employer-sponsored health insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan (often with an employer match), and paid time off.
Non-US citizens generally need work authorization to legally work in the United States. Common paths include employer-sponsored visas (such as the H-1B specialty occupation visa or L-1 intracompany transfer visa), and employment-based green card categories for permanent residency. Requirements, quotas, and processing times change regularly and depend heavily on individual circumstances.
This is general information, not legal advice. For current, authoritative requirements, consult USCIS.gov (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) and the U.S. Department of State, or a licensed immigration attorney.
Based on the figures shown on this page, the average salary in the USA is approximately $5,800 per month, or around $69,600 per year, though this varies significantly by profession, industry, state, and experience level.
This depends heavily on location — a salary that goes far in a lower-cost state may feel tight in a high-cost city like New York or San Francisco. As a general reference point, earning above the national average of roughly $70,000/year is often considered comfortable in most parts of the country.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, but many states and cities set a higher local minimum wage — some exceed $16–17 per hour. Always check your specific state's current minimum wage.
It depends on your state, filing status, and deductions. As a rough illustrative reference, a single filer earning $70,000 with no dependents might see a combined effective federal, state, and payroll tax rate in the region of 20–24%, though this can vary meaningfully — see our Tax System section above for the full breakdown.
States with major finance, tech, and business hubs — such as California, New York, Washington, and Massachusetts — tend to report the highest average salaries, though they often also carry a higher cost of living.
Cost of living varies widely, but mid-sized cities in the Midwest and South — such as Oklahoma City, Memphis, and San Antonio — are generally considered more affordable relative to salary than major coastal metro areas.
No. The US does not have universal free healthcare. Most working-age adults get health insurance through an employer, purchase it individually, or qualify for public programs like Medicaid (low-income) or Medicare (65+). See our Healthcare section above for more detail.
There is no federally mandated minimum paid vacation in the US. Most employers offer somewhere between 10 and 15 days of paid time off per year, often increasing with tenure, plus a number of public holidays.
Technology roles on this page range widely — from around $55,000/year for entry-level IT support roles to $125,000/year and above for experienced product managers and data scientists.
Non-US citizens generally need work authorization, such as an employer-sponsored visa (e.g. H-1B) or a green card, to work legally in the US. This page does not provide legal advice — see our Visa & Employment section for where to find official guidance.
Gross salary is your salary before any deductions. Take-home pay (net salary) is what's left after federal tax, state tax (where applicable), and payroll taxes like Social Security and Medicare are withheld. See our Take-Home Pay Examples section above.
The figures on this page represent base salary estimates and do not include bonuses, overtime, commissions, or equity, which can meaningfully increase total compensation in many roles.
Data on this page is reviewed and updated manually on a regular cycle rather than pulled from a live feed. See the "Last Updated" note near the top of this page for the most recent review date.
Figures are informed by categories of public sources such as government labour statistics, tax authority publications, and independent compensation surveys. See our Data Sources section below for full detail.
Yes — use the Compare tool on the Global Salary Atlas homepage to compare salary, tax, and cost of living between the USA and any other country in our database.
Yes, significantly. States with major tech, finance, or business hubs generally report higher average salaries, but often also have a higher cost of living — so comparing salary alone can be misleading without factoring in local costs.
Remote salaries vary by role and industry in the same way as in-office roles. Many companies now pay based on the role and experience level rather than location, though some adjust pay based on a worker's local cost of living.
Figures on this page are informed by categories of public sources, including government labour statistics, national tax authority publications, public statistical agencies, and — where relevant for broader economic context — international organizations. These are named here as examples of the type of source we draw on, not as a claim of live or automated data access.
This page is manually reviewed and updated rather than fed by a real-time data feed. See the "Last Updated" note near the top of this page, and our full Data Sources and Methodology pages for more detail on how figures across Global Salary Atlas are sourced and verified.
Spotted a figure that looks outdated? Let us know — corrections are reviewed and applied on our regular update cycle.