Is my salary
actually good?
Find out where you rank against workers in your state, how your salary compares to the median, and whether you can live comfortably on it.
How We Calculate Your Percentile
Your salary percentile tells you what share of workers in your state earn less than you. A 70th percentile ranking means you earn more than 70% of workers in your state.
The calculations use wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, adjusted by state. This covers full-time wage and salary workers across industries.
What Your Percentile Range Means
Here is a practical guide to what different ranges mean for your financial position:
- Below 25th: Below average. Budget carefully. Prioritize an emergency fund and reducing debt before anything else.
- 25th–50th: Below median. Workable in low-cost areas. Tight in high-rent cities. Worth pushing for growth in your income.
- 50th–75th: Above average. Comfortable in most states at median rent. Good foundation for saving consistently.
- 75th–90th: Strong earner. Well above average. You have real financial flexibility in most states.
- 90th+: Top earner. Financial pressure is low unless you live in a very high-cost city like San Francisco or NYC.
Keep in mind: percentile is just one lens. A 70th percentile salary in Mississippi goes much further than the same ranking in California.
Why the Same Salary Ranks Differently by State
Wages vary a lot across the US. Median household income runs from roughly $35,000–$40,000 in states like Mississippi and West Virginia to $65,000–$75,000 in Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington DC.
What this means in practice: a $60,000 salary could put you in the top 35% in Mississippi, near the median in most Midwest and Southern states, or in the bottom 40% in DC or San Francisco.
This is why this tool shows your ranking by state, not nationally. Your local job market is what sets the bar for whether your salary is competitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What data source do you use for salary percentiles?+
We use wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, adjusted by state. This covers full-time wage and salary workers across all major industries.
Does this compare against full-time workers only?+
The BLS data primarily reflects full-time equivalent wage and salary workers. The comparison is most accurate if you work full time.
Why does my ranking change when I switch states?+
Wage levels vary by state. Median household income ranges from roughly $35k in lower-wage states to $65k+ in states like Maryland and New Jersey. Your percentile reflects your position in the specific state you select.
What counts as a good salary in 2026?+
Earning above the state median (50th percentile) means you earn more than half of workers in your state. A salary where housing costs under 30% of gross income and allows for regular saving is generally considered financially comfortable — but this depends heavily on where you live.
See how your take-home stacks up against rent and essentials in your state.
Check Cost of Living →Find the equivalent salary in another state after taxes and cost of living.
Try Relocation Calculator →Find the gross salary you need to hit your monthly take-home target.
Try Salary Goal →