Income in the United States: Wikis

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Categories: Income by country > Social class in the United States > Income in the United States

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Updated live from Wikipedia, last check: June 02, 2012 06:29 UTC (48 seconds ago)

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The percentage of households and individuals in each income bracket.^[1]^[2]

Income in the United States is measured by the United States Department of Commerce either by household or individual. The differences between household and personal income is considerable since 42% of households, the majority of those in the top two quintiles with incomes exceeding $57,658, now have two income earners.^[3] This difference becomes very apparent when comparing the percentage of households with six figure incomes to that of individuals. In 2006, 17.3% of households had incomes exceeding $100,000,^[1] compared to slightly less than 6% of individuals.^[2] Overall the median household income was $46,326 in 2006 while the median personal income (including only those above the age of 25) was $32,140.^[4]

Income inequality has increased considerably, with the mean after-tax income of the top percentile increasing 167%, versus 69% for the top quintile overall, 29% for the fourth quintile, 21% for the middle quintile, 17% for the second quintile and 6% for the bottom quintile.^[5] While wages for women have increased greatly, median earnings of male wage earners have remained stagnant since the late 1970s.^[6]^[7] Household income, however, has risen due the increasing number of household with more than one income earners and women's increased presence in the labor force.^[8]

Information regarding private income by household or individual can be found on the following articles:

Other related articles are:

1 Income at a glance
2 See also
3 References
4 External links

Income at a glance

Median income levels
Households			Persons, age 25 or older with earnings			Household income by race
All households	Dual earner households	Per household member	Males	Females	Both sexes	Asian	White, non-hispanic	Hispanic	Black
$46,326	$67,348	$23,535	$39,403	$26,507	$32,140	$57,518	$48,977	$34,241	$30,134
Median personal income by educational attainment
Measure	Some High School	High school graduate	Some college	Associate's degree	Bachelor's degree or higher	Bachelor's degree	Master's degree	Professional degree	Doctorate degree
Persons, age 25+ w/ earnings	$20,321	$26,505	$31,054	$35,009	$49,303	$43,143	$52,390	$82,473	$70,853
Male, age 25+ w/ earnings	$24,192	$32,085	$39,150	$42,382	$60,493	$52,265	$67,123	$100,000	$78,324
Female, age 25+ w/ earnings	$15,073	$21,117	$25,185	$29,510	$40,483	$36,532	$45,730	$66,055	$54,666
Persons, age 25+, employed full-time	$25,039	$31,539	$37,135	$40,588	$56,078	$50,944	$61,273	$100,000	$79,401
Household	$22,718	$36,835	$45,854	$51,970	$73,446	$68,728	$78,541	$100,000	$96,830
Household income distribution
Bottom 10%	Bottom 20%	Bottom 25%	Middle 33%	Middle 20%	Top 25%	Top 20%	Top 5%	Top 1.5%	Top 1%
$0 to $10,500	$0 to $18,500	$0 to $22,500	$30,000 to $62,500	$35,000 to $55,000	$77,500 and up	$92,000 and up	$167,000 and up	$250,000 and up	$350,000 and up
Source: US Census Bureau, 2006; income statistics for the year 2005