The national median annual wage in the United States is $49,500 according to BLS OES May 2024 data — but calling any single number “good” flattens enormous variation by occupation, geography, and career stage. A software developer earning $90,000 in Mississippi is doing very well; the same salary for a physician in California would be well below the 10th percentile for that profession. The national median is a starting point, not a verdict.

Think in Percentiles, Not Averages

A more useful framework is percentile thinking. If you’re at or above the 75th percentile for your occupation and state, you’re earning more than the vast majority of your peers — that’s a strong benchmark for “good.” Between the 50th and 75th percentile, you’re above average but have meaningful upside. Below the 25th percentile for your field and location typically signals room to negotiate, switch employers, or pursue credentials that unlock higher pay. The 10th percentile is a clear red flag.

The Role of Cost of Living

Cost of living complicates the picture further. A $70,000 salary in rural Tennessee has very different purchasing power than the same amount in San Francisco. BLS data captures wage distributions but not regional price levels — for a complete picture, combine your percentile rank with local cost-of-living data from sources like the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The calculator below uses your state selection to apply BLS regional wage indices, giving you the most accurate local comparison available.

The Right Question to Ask

Stop asking “is my salary good?” and start asking “what percentile am I at in my specific occupation and state?” A 70th-percentile income in your field is objectively strong regardless of the absolute number. A 30th-percentile income in a high-paying field still leaves substantial upside on the table. Use the calculator below to find your exact position in the distribution — it’s the most useful data point you can have going into any salary conversation.