What is the average salary in America? 

The average gross salary in America was $59,980 in 2023 with an increase of 6.3% compared to the average gross salary recorded in 2022. For 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the average annual gross salary in America will reach $62,027 [+3.4% compared to the average gross salary in 2023], corresponding to an average hourly wage of $28.34

The average annual gross salary of Americans was $56,428 in 2022 (+5.4% compared to 2021). Adjusting for gross salary with Italy, the net salary in America is higher because taxes and contributions are lower. In 2023, the average salary in America increased by an average of 6.3% [in some sectors even more due to the inflationary spiral affecting all economies]
 

Average salary in various American states in 2024

American states with the highest salary

• Massachusetts: $76,600
• New York: $74,870
• California: $73,220

American states with the lowest salary

• Mississippi: $45,180
• Arkansas: $48,570
• West Virginia: $49,170

The region of the United States with the highest salaries is the Northeast

• Northeast: $65,383
• West: $60,579
• Midwest: $56,114
• South: $54,718

U.S. state with the highest salaries within each area of America

• State in the Northeast with the highest salary: Massachusetts at $76,600
• State in the Northwest with the highest salary: California at $73,220
• State in the South with the highest salary: Maryland at $69,750
• State in the Midwest with the highest salary: Illinois at $63,930

The job market in America

The job market in America is completely different from the job market we're used to in Italy. Firstly, there are no collective bargaining agreements or company-specific agreements. Furthermore, it should be noted that the United States is actually 50 different states with 50 different regulations. Also, unions function in a completely different way, and in fact, the percentage of jobs subject to negotiated union agreements was 10.8% in 2020. That said, the notion of an average salary level in America has very little significance since companies have broad freedom to adopt the pay scales they deem most appropriate. Some variables affecting average salaries in the USA are:

• The state [for the same job in Alabama and New York, average salaries can vary by as much as 50%]
• The sector of employment;
• The level of education;
• The historical moment when hiring occurs.
   

Average annual salary in the United States by Age and Gender

WOMEN

• 16 - 19: $32,984
• 20 - 24: $37,388
• 25 - 34: $52,052
• 35 - 44: $57,980
• 45 - 54: $60,112
• 55 - 64: $56,784
• 65+: $51,324

MEN

• 16 - 19: $33,852
• 20 - 24: $41,132
• 25 - 34: $57,976
• 35 - 44: $71,396
• 45 - 54: $74,984
• 55 - 64: $73,164
• 65+: $71,812
   

Average annual salary in the United States by Education Level 

• Elementary or Middle School: $37,336
• High School Diploma: $46,852
• College: $53,404
• Associate Degree or Higher: $87,360

Average annual salary in the United States by Industry

• Food Services: $34,490
• Healthcare Support: $38,220
• Personal Care: $38,430
• Agriculture, Fishing, Forestry: $39,970
• Construction: $61,500
• Teachers: $66,400
• Art, Design, Journalism: $75,520
• Finance and Banking Sector: $90,580
• Architects and Engineers: $99,090
• Programmers and Software Analysts: $130,500

[source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics]