What Is the Median U.S. Wage? And What It Means for Your Career

Every salary comparison starts with one reference point: the national median wage. BLS OEWS data publishes this figure annually for the entire employed workforce — and it's the most useful single benchmark for understanding where any occupation or market stands in the broader economy.

What It Is

The national median wage is the wage at which half of all U.S. workers earn more and half earn less. BLS updates this figure annually based on the OEWS survey. It includes all full-time and part-time workers across all occupations and industries — making it a true midpoint of the entire employed labor market.

Above vs. Below the Median

Comparing an occupation's median wage to the national median gives you an immediate sense of its position in the wage hierarchy. Occupations in the Management, Computer and Math, Legal, and Healthcare Practitioners groups tend to sit well above the median. Food service, personal care, and farming occupations cluster below it.

Geographic Medians

The national median masks enormous geographic variation. The median wage in San Francisco is substantially higher than in rural Mississippi. Browse WageDepth locations to see area-specific median comparisons for any occupation.

Using It as a Career Benchmark

If you earn above the national median for your occupation, you're doing better than half the workers in your field. If you earn above the 75th percentile, you're in the top quarter. Use WageDepth occupation pages to see exactly where you stand.