(NewsNation) — Median weekly wages for full-time and salaried workers in the United States rose nearly 5% from last year, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In the first quarter of 2025, the median weekly wage rose to $1,194 — which translates to a monthly income of $5,174 or approximately $62,088 annually — representing a 4.8% increase from the same period in 2024.
Gender pay gap persists
Women earned $1,096 per week, about 83.9% of the median weekly wage of $1,307 for men, according to data. The wage gap varied by race and ethnicity:
- Black women: 96.8% of Black men’s median earnings
- Hispanic women: 88.7% of Hispanic men’s earnings
- White women: 82.2% of White men’s earnings
- Asian women: 79.9% of Asian men’s earnings
What is the average US salary by age?
Age remains a significant factor in earnings, with pay generally increasing with age until mid-career, then declining near retirement:
- 16-19 years old: $648 weekly or $33,696 annually
- 20-24 years old: $792 weekly or $41,184 annually
- 25-34 years old: $1,125 weekly or $58,500 annually
- 35-44 years old: $1,332 weekly or $69,264 annually
- 45-54 years old: $1,376 weekly or $71,552 annually
- 55-64 years old: $1,302 weekly or $67,704 annually
- 65+ years old: $1,222 weekly or $63,544 annually
Men aged 45 to 54 earned the most at $1,512 per week, according to the data, while women’s earnings peaked slightly lower, with those aged 45 to 54 earning $1,233 weekly.
Young workers aged 16 to 24 had the smallest gender gap, with women earning 92.2% of what men earned. The gap widened with age, at 84% for workers aged 25 to 54, and just 77.1% for those aged 55 and older, according to the data.
What is the average US salary by education level?
Education also plays a significant role in earning potential, the data showed. Here’s what the median salary for U.S. workers looks like by educational attainment:
- Grade-school education: $743 weekly or $38,636 annually
- High school diploma only: $953 weekly or $49,556 annually
- Some college or associate degree: $1,096 weekly or $56,992 annually
- Bachelor’s degree: $1,603 weekly or $83,356 annually
- Advanced degree: $1,961 weekly or $101,972 annually
Workers with a bachelor’s degree earned over 68% more than those without any college education, or about $33,800 more per year.
Among top earners with advanced degrees, 10% of men made $5,079 or more per week, while women in that tier earned $3,528 or more.