Salary Data June 22, 2026
Average Salary in the US (2026)
The average salary in America depends heavily on your industry, location, and experience level. Across all 202+ occupations we track, the median is $84,040. Here's how it breaks down.
$84,040
Median (all jobs)
$90,392
Mean (all jobs)
$350,000
Highest Career
$33,530
Lowest Career
Median vs Mean: The median ($84,040) is a better measure of "typical" pay because it isn't skewed by extremely high earners. The mean ($90,392) is pulled up by top salaries in tech, medicine, and finance.
Average Salary by Industry
| Industry | Avg Salary | vs Overall |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $113,777 | +35% |
| Technology | $110,978 | +32% |
| Engineering | $106,521 | +27% |
| Legal | $105,690 | +26% |
| Transportation & Logistics | $105,398 | +25% |
| Science & Research | $96,075 | +14% |
| Business & Finance | $90,182 | +7% |
| Retail & Sales | $74,853 | -11% |
| Construction & Real Estate | $72,547 | -14% |
| Creative & Education | $65,770 | -22% |
| Media & Communications | $61,905 | -26% |
| Hospitality & Tourism | $59,010 | -30% |
| Agriculture & Environment | $56,622 | -33% |
| Trades & Labor | $54,566 | -35% |
| Public Service | $53,316 | -37% |
| Automotive & Maintenance | $52,785 | -37% |
| Personal Care & Fitness | $44,763 | -47% |
Average Salary by Experience
Experience is the single biggest factor in salary growth. Here's how pay typically progresses:
$52,446
Entry Level
0-2 years experience
$85,104
Mid Level
3-7 years experience
$128,827
Senior Level
8+ years experience
How to Earn Above Average
- Choose a high-paying industry. The gap between the highest (Healthcare: $113,777) and lowest (Personal Care & Fitness: $44,763) paying industries is massive. Explore all categories →
- Pick the right state. The same job can pay 30-80% more depending on location. Compare all 50 states →
- Negotiate with data. Knowing your market value gives you leverage. Negotiation guide →
- Target growth careers. High-demand roles command premium pay. See fastest growing →
Find Your Career's Salary Data
See exact salary data for 202+ careers in all 50 states and 250 cities.