If you’re single and earning $200,000 a year, chances are you’re able to afford a comfortable life. That level of income is more than three times what the average American worker makes each year. Of course, your cost of living, inflation, and financial obligations also factor into how far the money goes.
Let’s dive into a $200,000 salary and see how it compares to incomes across the country.
Is $200K a Good Salary?
By most standards, $200,000 a year is a good salary, especially for a single person with no dependents. However, how well you’re able to live on that income will depend on a number of factors, including your household size, where you live, and your financial habits. You may find it useful to use tools like a money tracker, which can help you monitor your spending and also provide you with valuable insights into your finances.
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Average Median Income in the US by State in 2024
Wondering how a $200,000 salary stacks up against a typical salary in the U.S.? There are a few ways to find out. You can look at the average salary in the U.S., which currently stands at $63,795, per the Social Security Administration. Or you can compare it to the national median salary, which as of Q4 2023 was $59,384 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In both cases, a salary of $200,000 is significantly higher.
As the chart below shows, that salary is also more than the median household income in each state.
| State | Median Household Income |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $59,609 |
| Alaska | $86,370 |
| Arizona | $72,581 |
| Arkansas | $56,335 |
| California | $91,905 |
| Colorado | $87,598 |
| Connecticut | $90,213 |
| Delaware | $79,325 |
| Florida | $67,917 |
| Georgia | $71,355 |
| Hawaii | $94,814 |
| Idaho | $70,214 |
| Illinois | $78,433 |
| Indiana | $67,173 |
| Iowa | $70,571 |
| Kansas | $69,747 |
| Kentucky | $60,183 |
| Louisiana | $57,852 |
| Maine | $68,251 |
| Maryland | $98,461 |
| Massachusetts | $96,505 |
| Michigan | $68,505 |
| Minnesota | $84,313 |
| Mississippi | $52,985 |
| Missouri | $65,920 |
| Montana | $66,341 |
| Nebraska | $71,772 |
| Nevada | $71,646 |
| New Hampshire | $90,845 |
| New Jersey | $97,126 |
| New Mexico | $58,722 |
| New York | $81,386 |
| North Carolina | $66,186 |
| North Dakota | $73,959 |
| Ohio | $66,990 |
| Oklahoma | $61,364 |
| Oregon | $76,362 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,170 |
| Rhode Island | $81,370 |
| South Carolina | $63,623 |
| South Dakota | $69,457 |
| Tennessee | $64,035 |
| Texas | $73,035 |
| Utah | $86,833 |
| Vermont | $74,014 |
| Virginia | $87,249 |
| Washington | $90,325 |
| West Virginia | $55,217 |
| Wisconsin | $72,458 |
| Wyoming | $72,495 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Average Cost of Living in the US by State in 2024
Cost of living varies by region, state, and even city, and this is often reflected in salaries. An area with a high cost of living, for example, tends to pay higher wages — and vice versa.
So when you’re thinking about whether $200K is a good salary, it can help to look at the cost of living where you live and see how it compares to different parts of the country. The chart below, which features data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, breaks down this information by state.
| State | Personal Consumption Expenditure |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $42,391 |
| Alaska | $59,179 |
| Arizona | $50,123 |
| Arkansas | $42,245 |
| California | $60,272 |
| Colorado | $59,371 |
| Connecticut | $60,413 |
| Delaware | $54,532 |
| Florida | $55,516 |
| Georgia | $47,406 |
| Hawaii | $54,655 |
| Idaho | $43,508 |
| Illinois | $54,341 |
| Indiana | $46,579 |
| Iowa | $45,455 |
| Kansas | $46,069 |
| Kentucky | $44,193 |
| Louisiana | $45,178 |
| Maine | $55,789 |
| Maryland | $52,651 |
| Massachusetts | $64,214 |
| Michigan | $49,482 |
| Minnesota | $52,849 |
| Mississippi | $39,678 |
| Missouri | $48,613 |
| Montana | $51,913 |
| Nebraska | $37,519 |
| Nevada | $49,522 |
| New Hampshire | $60,828 |
| New Jersey | $60,082 |
| New Mexico | $43,336 |
| New York | $58,571 |
| North Carolina | $47,834 |
| North Dakota | $52,631 |
| Ohio | $47,768 |
| Oklahoma | $42,046 |
| Oregon | $52,159 |
| Pennsylvania | $53,703 |
| Rhode Island | $52,820 |
| South Carolina | $46,220 |
| South Dakota | $48,997 |
| Tennessee | $46,280 |
| Texas | $49,082 |
| Utah | $48,189 |
| Vermont | $55,743 |
| Virginia | $52,057 |
| Washington | $56,567 |
| West Virginia | $44,460 |
| Wisconsin | $49,284 |
| Wyoming | $52,403 |
How to Live on $200K a Year
In general, when you earn well into the six figures, you have more than enough for your basic needs (think housing, food, transportation, health care) with funds left over for savings, investments, and enjoyment.
But it’s human nature to spend up to your income. Even if you have one of the highest-paying jobs in the state, it won’t do you any good if you spend every bit that you earn. As your income increases, so do your expenses, so it’s important to set up and stick to a budget.
Recommended: What Is a Good Entry-Level Salary?
How to Budget for a $200K Salary
There are many different ways that you can budget on a $200,000 salary. A simple way to start is by writing down your monthly income and expenses and comparing the two. If your expenses are higher than your income, you will need to make a plan to either raise your income or lower your expenses to be able to balance your budget and live within your means.
As you fine-tune your plan for spending and saving, you might find value in a budget planner app.
Maximizing a $200K Salary
You have no shortage of options when it comes to making the most of a $200,000 salary. For some people, maximizing their salary means increasing their standard of living and enjoying the here and now. For others, a high salary might offer more of an opportunity to contribute to retirement accounts and save for the future.
In fact, creating an emergency fund, paying down debt, and contributing to your retirement savings account are just a few ways you get the most from a $200,000 salary. Whatever strategy you choose, be sure it fits with your financial and life goals.
Quality of Life with a $200K Salary
A $200,000 annual salary is significantly higher than the average pay in the United States. This means that financially speaking, you can most likely afford to settle down in a desirable area, cover your living expenses, build up your savings, and still have money left over for enjoyment. However, keep in mind that salary is just one piece of the puzzle; geography, unique personal circumstances, and your financial situation can all impact your quality of life.
Is $200,000 a Year Considered Rich?
There’s no standard definition of “rich,” though most people would certainly consider a single person making $200,000 to be well-off. But again, where you live — and the cost of living there — play a role. Another way to think about what “rich” means is to calculate your net worth. Essentially, it’s the value of your combined assets minus any outstanding debts, or liabilities.
It may also be useful to see how your net worth compares to your peers. Tools like a net worth calculator by age can be a good place to start.
Is $200K a Year Considered Middle Class?
Short answer: No. If you look at the data for the average income by age, you will see that an annual salary of $200,000 is significantly above average for all age cohorts. What’s more, it exceeds what the Pew Research Center defines as middle class, which is income that’s two-thirds to double the national median income, or $47,189 and $141,568.
Example Jobs that Make About $200,000 a Year Salary
Whether you’re considering a new career path or thinking about asking for a raise, it can help to know the types of jobs that pay around $200,000 a year.
Professions that pay around $200,000 a year tend to require advanced degrees or specialized training. Here are a few examples of jobs that pay near that amount, according to data from the BLS:
• Nurse Anesthetist: $214,200
• Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers: $209,680
• Pediatrician: $205,860
• Dentist: $200,870
• Computer and Information Systems Manager: $180,720
Recommended: 30 Best Jobs for Introverts
The Takeaway
Is a $200,000 salary good for a single person? Yes, it is. In fact, that level of income significantly surpasses what a typical American worker earns in a year. But it’s worth noting that your local cost of living and financial obligations can impact how far the money goes. Spending habits can, too. After all, it’s easy to spend more as your income grows. To help keep yourself on firm financial footing, it’s a good idea to create a budget you can stick to and adjust it as your life and financial needs evolve.
Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.
FAQ
Can I live comfortably making $200K a year?
Since an annual salary of $200,000 is well above the national average salary, it’s quite likely that you will be able to live comfortably on that salary.
What can I afford with a $200K salary?
What you can afford with a six-figure salary like $200K will depend on a number of factors, including where you live, the size of your household, and your overall financial situation. However, $200,000 is a very good salary, especially for a single person, so it’s likely that you can afford your basic needs with money left over for savings and enjoyment.
How much is $200K a year hourly?
If you earn $200,000 a year, your hourly rate would be around $96.15.
How much is $200K a year monthly?
A $200,000 annual salary works out to roughly $16,667 per month.
How much is $200K a year daily?
A $200,000 salary is approximately $547.95 per day.
Photo credit: iStock/FG Trade
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