Income Needed to Join the Top 5% by State in United States

To be part of the top 5% of earners in the United States, significant income is required, with the threshold varying across states. The highest income requirement is in Massachusetts, where you need to earn $393,160 annually. Other states like Washington, New Jersey, and Connecticut follow closely behind with similar income requirements.

States with the Highest Income Requirement for the Top 5%

In Massachusetts, Washington, and New Jersey, individuals must earn above $370,000 to join the top 5%. These states are home to high-income earners, with significant salaries required to access the top income brackets.

Western and Coastal States: Income Thresholds

California, Colorado, and Oregon also have high-income thresholds to enter the top 5%, ranging from $329,566 in Colorado to $364,788 in California. These states, especially those on the West Coast, are known for their high cost of living and income disparity.

Midwestern and Southern States: More Accessible Thresholds

In comparison, Midwestern and Southern states such as Ohio and Louisiana have more accessible thresholds for the top 5%, with income requirements below $230,000 in some states. Despite having lower thresholds, these states still have a significant proportion of high earners compared to other regions.

States with the Lowest Income Requirements for the Top 5%

States like Mississippi, West Virginia, and Kentucky have the lowest income requirements to reach the top 5%, with thresholds as low as $193,057 in Mississippi. These states offer a more attainable pathway to becoming a top earner, though their cost of living is generally lower as well.

Top 5% Income Thresholds Across the U.S.

The income needed to join the top 5% of earners varies significantly across the United States. States like Massachusetts and California demand high incomes to reach the top, while states in the South and Midwest provide a lower threshold for high earners. These disparities reflect differences in living costs and economic conditions across the nation.