Last Updated on March 10, 2025 by The HD Post Staff
CALIFORNIA – GoBankingRates published, March 4, a new report and found that Californians need to earn $192,668 to be upper middle-class.
According to the report, the lowest end of middle-class income is $149,854.
In California, medical jobs are among the highest-paying careers, driven by the state’s large healthcare industry and the demand for skilled professionals.
GOBankingRates used 2023 median household income data from the American Community Survey (ACS) to figure out the upper middle-class income ranges for each state.
They determined these ranges by first finding the full middle-class income range (which is between two-thirds and double the income of an area).
In 2019, ACS listed California’s median income as $80,440 – a $15,894 difference from the 2023 median income of $96,334.
DC has the highest upper middle-class income
The report found that residents of the District of Columbia (DC) need an income of $212,574 to be considered upper middle-class, the highest in the country.
Upper middle-class incomes in Maryland ($203,304), Massachusetts ($202,682) New Jersey ($202,100) and Hawaii ($196,634) ranked higher than California.
These states have high upper middle-class incomes due to a combination of factors.
States like New Jersey and Maryland have strong industries such as finance, technology and government-related sectors, which tend to offer higher-paying jobs.
Mississippi ranked as the most affordable state
The report found that Mississippi ranked as the most affordable state to be a member of the upper-middle class.
A family’s income would need to start at $85,424, with the highest end extending to $109,830.
West Virginia ($90,094), Arkansas ($91,426), Louisiana ($93,370) and Alabama ($96,487) are the lower middle-class incomes ranking behind Mississippi.
To read the full report visit https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/economy/how-much-you-need-to-earn-to-be-upper-middle-class-in-every-state/
