Gen Z Considers You 'Upper-Class' If Your Salary Is Above This Number

The idea of what makes an individual or a household "upper class" is fairly subjective, as there's no formal definition of what tax bracket affords you the status. While there are some telling signs you may be a member of the upper class, the definition is still vague. This is particularly true with the average household income in the United States at a generational high. And yet, a 2025 Gobankingrates survey of 1,000 Americans shows that, for the youngest members of the workforce, the salary that makes you upper class is surprisingly low. To be specific, Gen Z made up two brackets of the survey participants, including those in ages 18-24 and 25-34.

While you may need $5 million to retire rich, the data reported that one-third of surveyed Gen Z individuals believe you are upper class if you make between $75,000 and $200,000. This number narrows further when you notice 12.4% of the demographic told Gobankingrates they believe someone making between $75,000 and $100,000 is upper class. Ultimately, this means that if you are making over $75,000, a good portion of the youngest members of the workforce believe you are part of the highest level of society. This is a stark comparison to the loose definition online, where some experts say the salary of the upper class is twice that of the national median. Given this context, a 2025 salary of nearly $170,000 would be considered upper class, a far shot from $75,000.

One reason for the difference in outlook between Gen Z and other generations could be the current working landscape. In a recent Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) survey of Gen Z workers, they found that only 20% of participants are saving for retirement. This is coming at a time when the cost of living is at an all-time high. It is this environment that a new generation of workers has entered, with many Gen Z adults getting their first jobs in recent years.

While starting salaries are dependent on what state you're in, Michigan School Data shows that starting wages in the state have stagnated, sitting around $49,0000. Importantly, this figure shows a convergence of salary for those with certificates, associates, and bachelor's degrees, making $75,0000 a high number for people who are just starting their careers.

Additionally, the spending habits of Gen Z differs from that of older generations, who spend far more money. Particularly for those in the lowest age group of the survey, it isn't typical to be buying a home or even taking on a car payment. Gobankingrates speculated that if Gen Z feels wealthy at $75,000, this may actually be financially beneficial in the long run for them as they may be more content to subsist on less.