What is the average salary in America: career prospects and educational investments

In the United States, wages depend on many factors, but the most significant influences are education and career choice. Based on the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the third quarter of 2025, we can see how the labor market is developing. The average weekly salary for full-time workers in America has reached $1,214, which translates to approximately $63,128 annually. This demonstrates steady growth — a 4.2% increase compared to the same period last year.

Education as a Determinant of Success in the Labor Market

The highest impact on salary levels comes from the level of education attained. Workers over 25 without a high school diploma earn a median of $777 per week. High school graduates who did not attend college earn $980 weekly. However, the picture changes significantly with a bachelor’s degree — such professionals and older earn $1,747 per week.

The highest rewards are observed among those with master’s and doctoral degrees. Among men, this group, representing only 10% of all workers, earns $4,809 or more per week. Women with similar educational levels earn $3,697 or more during the same period. This clearly shows that educational investments have a substantial economic return in the U.S. labor market.

Professional Sectors and Their Impact on the Average Salary in America

Choosing an industry is the second most important factor. Professionals in management, specialized activities, and related fields earn the highest incomes. For men, median weekly earnings in this sector are $1,912; for women, $1,466.

At the opposite end are service sector workers, earning $897 for men and $747 for women per week. The difference between these two professional groups exceeds $1,000 weekly, demonstrating a vast range of potential earnings depending on career trajectory.

Demographic Features: Age, Gender, and Ethnicity

By age groups, the highest earnings are observed between ages 35 and 64 — the period of maximum career maturity and accumulated experience. Men aged 35-44 earn $1,504 weekly, and those 10-20 years older earn just slightly less ($1,497–$1,481). Women in this age group earn slightly less — from $1,226 to $1,192 respectively.

The younger cohort (16-24 years) earns the least, with $802 for men and $715 for women per week. This is natural for a group with limited work experience but highlights the importance of gaining professional experience.

The average salary in America varies significantly depending on ethnicity. Asians median $1,620 weekly, white Americans $1,238, Black Americans $970, and Latinos $944. These differences reflect complex factors related to access to education, professional opportunities, and historical inequalities in the labor market.

Gender Wage Gap

Women in the U.S. earn an average of $1,076 per week, which is 80.7% of the median male earnings ($1,333). However, this gap varies by racial and ethnic groups. The smallest gender gap is among Black Americans (women earn 89.8% of men) and Latinos (89.5%). Conversely, Asian women earn only 78.7% of their male colleagues’ earnings, representing the largest gap.

Among Latino workers, median male earnings are $994 (73.0% of white men’s earnings), and female earnings are $890 (80.7% of white women’s). These figures underscore the accumulated impact of gender and racial discrimination on earnings.

Conclusions on the U.S. Labor Market

Current data from the third quarter of 2025 show that the average salary in America depends on the combined effect of several factors. Education remains the strongest predictor of earnings, with a difference of over $2,000 per week between those with higher education and those without. Career choice also has a comparable impact, with a $1,000 gap between the highest- and lowest-paying sectors.

Demographic characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity) continue to influence earnings, indicating systemic inequalities in the U.S. labor market. The highest incomes are earned by educated middle-aged professionals in management positions, especially among Asian and white populations. Young people and minority groups should focus more on educational development to maximize their income potential.