What Does Financial Success Look Like for Americans?

What We’re Showing

This graphic shows the results of a survey of 2,203 U.S. adults conducted on Sept. 13–14, 2024, that asked how much money per year is necessary for people to consider themselves financially successful. The data was compiled by Empower.

Question: Thinking about an annual salary (e.g., the money you earn at a job per year) and an "all in" dollar amount (e.g., your overall net worth), how much money would it take for you to be financially successful?

Key Takeaways

• The average American thinks a salary of just over $270,000 a year is enough to be "financially successful."
• The Gen Z cohort, born between 1997 and 2012, believes they need to earn almost $600,000 a year.
• Boomers, born before 1964, generally think they can achieve success on salaries just under $100,000 a year.