Is $150,000Really a Good Salary? What Your Earnings Mean Across America

When evaluating whether a $150,000 annual salary is truly good, the answer depends significantly on where you reside. What constitutes a solid middle-class income varies dramatically across different regions of the United States, making geographic location one of the most critical factors in determining your financial standing. To understand how your earnings stack up against local standards, it’s essential to examine where 150k positions you within the middle-class framework that researchers and economists use to measure economic prosperity.

Research institutions like the Pew Research Center have established a clear definition of middle-class income: earnings that fall between two-thirds and double the median household income in a given area. Using this framework, GOBankingRates analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey to identify which states a 150k salary remains firmly within the middle class rather than crossing into upper-middle or upper-class territory.

Where $150,000 Places You in the Middle-Class Spectrum

The definition of middle-class income is not universal across America. A household earning 150k in a high-cost-of-living state like California or Maryland may represent comfortable middle-class status, while the same income in a lower-income state could approach upper-middle-class levels. Understanding this distinction helps you assess your true purchasing power and financial security.

The Pew Research Center’s methodology—measuring middle-class income as the range from 67% to 200% of a state’s median household income—provides a standardized way to evaluate where you fit within your state’s economic hierarchy. This approach accounts for regional cost-of-living variations and local wage patterns that significantly impact what money actually buys you.

High-Income States Where 150k Remains Middle Class

In states with elevated median household incomes, a 150k salary still comfortably falls within middle-class boundaries. These regions include:

Maryland leads with a median household income of $98,461, placing the middle-class range between $65,640 and $196,922. A 150k salary here positions you solidly in the middle.

Hawaii follows with a median household income of $94,814 and a middle-class range extending from $63,209 to $189,628, making 150k a typical middle-class income.

Massachusetts and New Jersey similarly support a 150k salary as authentic middle-class earnings, with median household incomes around $96,505 and $97,126 respectively. Their middle-class ranges accommodate 150k comfortably within the established boundaries.

California, despite its reputation as an expensive state, maintains a middle-class ceiling of $183,810 based on its $91,905 median household income. A 150k salary here represents respectable middle-class standing.

Other states in this higher-income category include Connecticut, New Hampshire, Washington, and New York, where 150k keeps you within recognized middle-class parameters.

Mid-Range Income States: 150k as Upper-Middle Boundary

Several states position 150k closer to the upper edge of the middle-class spectrum. These include:

Minnesota (median: $84,313, range: $56,208–$168,626) Utah (median: $86,833, range: $57,888–$173,666) Colorado (median: $87,598, range: $58,398–$175,196) Virginia (median: $87,249, range: $58,165–$174,498) Alaska (median: $86,370, range: $57,579–$172,740) Oregon (median: $76,632, range: $51,087–$153,264)

In these states, a 150k salary approaches or slightly exceeds typical middle-class earnings, suggesting you’re nearing the boundary between middle and upper-middle class status.

Lower-Income States Where 150k Exceeds Middle Class

Interestingly, in states with lower median household incomes, a 150k salary may actually push you beyond traditional middle-class definitions into upper-middle or even upper-class territory:

Illinois (median: $78,433, range: $52,288–$156,866) — Here, 150k nearly matches the middle-class ceiling.

Delaware and Rhode Island present similar scenarios, where 150k sits very close to or potentially exceeds the upper boundary of middle-class income ranges.

New York (median: $81,386, range: $54,257–$162,772), despite being a wealthy state overall, still accommodates 150k within its middle-class framework due to regional income variations.

What Makes a Salary “Good”? Beyond the Numbers

Whether 150k qualifies as a good salary extends beyond simple middle-class classification. Several factors influence this assessment:

Cost of Living: A 150k salary stretches further in states like Oregon and Utah compared to California or Hawaii, where housing, taxes, and everyday expenses are substantially higher.

Local Context: In high-income states, 150k may feel modest relative to peers, while in lower-income regions, it provides significant purchasing power and financial security.

Career Field: Professional trajectories vary by industry and geography. In tech hubs like California, 150k might be standard for mid-level positions, whereas in other regions, it represents senior-level compensation.

Family Size and Needs: A family of four has different financial requirements than an individual, making the “goodness” of 150k highly personal.

The Bottom Line: Context Is Everything

The answer to whether 150k is a good salary ultimately depends on your state of residence, personal circumstances, and financial goals. In 18 states across America, this income level confidently places you within the recognized middle-class income range, providing financial stability and respectable purchasing power.

The research methodology employed by GOBankingRates, drawing on official U.S. Census Bureau data and Pew Research Center definitions, demonstrates that 150k serves as a meaningful middle-class benchmark in many regions. However, recognizing that your actual financial standing depends on where you live—and what the typical household in your area earns—is crucial for accurate self-assessment.

Understanding these geographic income variations helps you contextualize your earnings, make informed financial decisions, and set realistic expectations for your lifestyle and financial security. Whether 150k represents achievement or simply solid middle-ground status depends entirely on which American state you call home.