Average Net Worth by Age in America: The Complete Data
Most people have no idea whether their net worth is normal, behind, or ahead. That's partly because nobody talks about it and partly because the averages are wildly misleading (a handful of billionaires skew everything). This page uses the real data from the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances and their quarterly Distributional Financial Accounts through Q3 2025. We show both averages and medians, because the median is what actually tells you where a typical person stands.
The 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances is currently underway, with results expected in late 2026. Until that data is released, the figures below represent the best available snapshot of American household wealth.
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Use the Net Worth CalculatorMedian and Average Net Worth by Age Group
The table below shows median and mean (average) household net worth by the age of the household reference person, from the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances.
| Age Group | Median Net Worth | Average Net Worth | Change from 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | $39,000 | $183,500 | +143% |
| 35-44 | $135,600 | $549,600 | +37% |
| 45-54 | $247,200 | $975,800 | +18% |
| 55-64 | $364,500 | $1,566,900 | +27% |
| 65-74 | $409,900 | $1,794,600 | +18% |
| 75+ | $335,600 | $1,624,100 | +22% |
| All Ages | $192,900 | $1,059,470 | +37% |
Why the Median Matters More Than the Average
The gap between median and average is wild. Under 35, the average ($183,500) is 5x the median ($39,000). For 55-64, the average ($1,566,900) is over four times the median ($364,500). This gap exists because a relatively small number of very wealthy households pull the average dramatically upward.
The median tells you where the household in the exact middle stands: half of Americans in your age group have more, half have less. For most people, the median is the more useful benchmark. If your net worth is above the median for your age group, you're doing better than at least half of your peers.
Net Worth Percentiles by Age
For a more granular picture, here are the approximate net worth percentile thresholds by age group. These figures are derived from the 2022 SCF microdata.
| Age Group | 25th Percentile | 50th (Median) | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | $1,900 | $39,000 | $137,000 | $404,000 |
| 35-44 | $16,600 | $135,600 | $436,000 | $1,080,000 |
| 45-54 | $24,800 | $247,200 | $727,000 | $1,800,000 |
| 55-64 | $42,500 | $364,500 | $1,058,000 | $2,950,000 |
| 65-74 | $66,400 | $409,900 | $1,190,000 | $3,200,000 |
| 75+ | $64,100 | $335,600 | $1,000,000 | $2,700,000 |
What jumps out: even at ages 40-59, the 25th percentile is under $25,000. One in four American households at peak earning age has almost no financial cushion. Meanwhile, the jump from the 75th to the 90th percentile is often larger than the jump from the 25th to the 75th, illustrating how wealth accelerates at higher levels.
To see where you fall, calculate your net worth with the Net Worth Calculator and compare against your age group in the table above.
The 2019 to 2022 Surge
Median net worth jumped 37% (inflation-adjusted) from 2019-2022, the biggest three-year gain since the SCF started in 1983. The gains were especially dramatic for younger households: median net worth for those under 35 jumped 143%, from roughly $13,900 to $39,000.
Why such a big jump? Home values skyrocketed during the pandemic and most Americans' wealth is tied to their house. Stocks also reached record highs, boosting retirement account balances. Government stimulus payments and reduced spending during lockdowns allowed many households to pay down debt and increase savings.
Some of those gains have probably pulled back since 2022. Rising rates cooled housing in some markets, stock market volatility in early 2026 has affected portfolio values. The 2025 SCF (results due late 2026) will capture these shifts.
What Drives Net Worth at Each Age
Under 35: Building the Foundation
At this stage, your net worth is mostly whatever's in your savings and your starter 401(k). Student loans are dragging you down and you probably don't own a house yet. A median of $39,000 reflects a generation that's just getting started. The dramatic percentage increase from 2019 suggests that younger households benefited significantly from rising home equity and stimulus-era savings.
Most impactful moves right now: build an emergency fund (see our emergency fund guide), paying down high-interest debt, and starting retirement contributions early to capture decades of compound growth.
35-54: Peak Accumulation
This is when the real growth happens. You're earning the most you'll ever earn, your mortgage payments are building equity, and your retirement accounts are finally benefiting from years of compounding. The median roughly triples from the 35-44 bracket ($135,600) to the 45-54 bracket ($247,200).
The biggest threats: lifestyle inflation, buying too much house, and not saving enough for retirement. Use the Retirement Calculator to check whether your savings rate is on track, and read our guide on retirement savings benchmarks by age.
55-74: Peak and Plateau
Net worth peaks at 65-74 with a median of $409,900. A paid-off (or nearly paid-off) house, full retirement accounts, and reduced debt. The slight dip after 75 reflects the drawdown phase, as retirees begin spending down savings and may face increased healthcare costs or transitions to assisted living.
If you're approaching or in retirement, the FIRE Calculator and Retirement Calculator can help you model whether your current net worth supports your planned withdrawal rate.
Net Worth by Education and Race
The SCF data also reveals significant disparities in net worth by education level and race, which provide important context for interpreting the age-based benchmarks.
| Characteristic | Median Net Worth | Average Net Worth |
|---|---|---|
| No high school diploma | $27,800 | $215,100 |
| High school diploma | $113,200 | $380,100 |
| Some college | $120,200 | $537,300 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | $504,200 | $2,009,400 |
| White non-Hispanic | $285,000 | $1,348,500 |
| Black non-Hispanic | $44,900 | $340,200 |
| Hispanic | $61,600 | $334,700 |
| Other or multiple race | $135,600 | $785,600 |
The racial wealth gap is enormous. White non-Hispanic median net worth ($285,000) is more than six times that of Black non-Hispanic households ($44,900). Education is also a powerful predictor: households headed by someone with a bachelor's degree or higher have a median net worth ($504,200) that's nearly four and a half times higher than households headed by someone with only a high school diploma ($113,200).
What Counts in Your Net Worth
Your net worth is the sum of everything you own (assets) minus everything you owe (liabilities). The major components, based on the SCF data:
Assets: Primary residence equity (the single largest asset for most households), retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, pension), other financial assets (stocks, bonds, savings), vehicles, business equity, and other real estate.
Liabilities: Mortgage debt (the largest liability for most), student loans, auto loans, credit card debt, and other consumer debt.
For most people, their house and their retirement accounts are 60-70% of everything they own. That concentration means housing and stock market swings have an outsized effect on household wealth. The Home Equity Calculator can help you estimate your current home equity position.
Where the Wealth Actually Is
The Federal Reserve's Distributional Financial Accounts (updated quarterly through Q3 2025) show the current distribution of total U.S. household wealth:
| Wealth Group | Share of Total U.S. Net Worth |
|---|---|
| Top 1% | 31.0% |
| 90th-99th percentile | 37.2% |
| 50th-90th percentile | 29.3% |
| Bottom 50% | 2.5% |
The top 10% holds 68% of all household wealth. The bottom 50% holds 2.5%. When you compare yourself to "the average American," the average is being pulled dramatically upward by a relatively small group at the top.
Key Net Worth Thresholds
Based on the 2022 SCF data, here are the approximate thresholds for major net worth milestones across all ages:
| Milestone | Approximate Net Worth | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 50th percentile (median) | $192,900 | You have more than half of American households |
| 70th percentile | ~$500,000 | Wealthier than 70% of households |
| 80th percentile | ~$900,000 | Approaching top quintile |
| 90th percentile | ~$1,920,000 | Top 10% |
| 95th percentile | ~$3,795,000 | Top 5% |
| 99th percentile | ~$13,615,000 | Top 1% |
Being a millionaire is more common than you'd think. About 1 in 5 American households has crossed $1M, usually through a combination of home equity, retirement savings, and long-term investing rather than extraordinary income. To see how your finances compare globally, try the How Rich Am I? calculator.
Track Your Net Worth Over Time
Calculate your current net worth and see which percentile you fall in.
Use the Net Worth CalculatorHow to Grow Your Net Worth
Regardless of where you currently stand, the levers for building net worth are consistent across all ages and income levels.
Spend less than you earn. Invest the difference. That's the whole game. The Zero-Based Budget can help you identify where money is going and redirect it toward wealth building.
Get the full employer match. It's a guaranteed 50-100% return on your money. Nothing else comes close. Available to most people. The 2026 contribution limit is $24,500, with an additional $8,000 catch-up for those 50 and older (and $11,250 for ages 60-63 under SECURE 2.0). See our retirement savings benchmarks for age-specific targets.
Build home equity strategically. For most Americans, their home is their largest asset. Making extra mortgage payments or choosing a 15-year mortgage accelerates equity building. The Early Mortgage Payoff Calculator shows the impact of extra payments, and our guide on refinancing can help you assess whether a lower rate would accelerate the process.
Kill high-interest debt. Credit card debt at 20-25% destroys wealth faster than investing builds it. Paying it off is a guaranteed 20-25% return. See our guide on paying off credit card debt.
Invest consistently in index funds. The market has returned roughly 7-10% annually after inflation. The key word is consistently. The Compound Interest Calculator can show you the long-term impact of consistent investing at various rates.
Net Worth FAQ
For more on this topic, see our net worth calculation guide.
Sources
Federal Reserve SCF: Survey of Consumer Finances: household net worth data (2022, released October 2023)
Federal Reserve DFA: Distributional Financial Accounts (quarterly wealth distribution data through Q3 2025)
Related Tools
Calculate your net worth with the Net Worth Calculator. See how you compare globally with How Rich Am I?. Plan your retirement with the Retirement Calculator. Build a budget with the Zero-Based Budget. Model compound growth with the Compound Interest Calculator. Check your home equity with the Home Equity Calculator. And explore early retirement with the FIRE Calculator.