The United States is one of the world's most developed economies, with a GDP surpassing $30 trillion and a per capita income of around $89.68 thousand. It maintains a low unemployment rate of approximately 3.5%, a high Human Development Index (HDI), and strong economic stability. Key industries like technology, healthcare, and finance drive its growth and offer lucrative career opportunities.
As a developed nation, the USA ensures a high standard of living, advanced infrastructure, and competitive salaries. This blog explores the Average Salary in the USA, highlighting how factors like industry, experience, education, and location influence earnings in 2025.
The average salary is a key indicator of income trends, calculated by dividing the total earnings of all employees by the number of workers. It helps understand general wage levels but can be influenced by extremely high or low salaries.
Formula to Calculate Average Salary:
Average Salary =Total Earnings of all employees / Number of Employees
In the USA, salaries are determined based on hourly, weekly, or annual earnings, considering total working hours and days.
2024 Average Salary: $59,640 (INR 52 L)
Average Weekly Salary: $1,070 (INR 93.4 K )
Highest Recorded Average Salary (2023): $74,984 (INR 65.4 L)
However, the median salary in the USA, as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), reports that as of Q4 2024, the median weekly earnings of full-time workers stood at $1,192 ( INR 1 L), translating to $61,984 ( INR 54.1 L) per year. The median salary represents the midpoint in income distribution, meaning 50% of workers earn more and 50% earn less.
The chart below highlights the average salary in the USA, showcasing both average and median income for single-income households across each state. The data is sourced from Forbes and the U.S. Census Bureau.
State
Average Salary (INR) / (USD)
Median Salary (INR) / (USD)
Alabama
₹46.6L / $53,394
₹52.0L / $59,605
Alaska
₹57.7L / $66,130
₹71.9L / $82,512
Arizona
₹55.0L / $63,045
₹57.9L / $66,340
Arkansas
₹44.7L / $51,251
₹47.7L / $54,658
California
₹67.1L / $76,960
₹65.3L / $74,819
Colorado
₹62.8L / $71,968
₹67.5L / $77,331
Connecticut
₹64.4L / $73,736
₹71.0L / $81,285
Delaware
₹57.6L / $65,998
₹66.1L / $75,674
Florida
₹52.5L / $60,216
₹55.0L / $62,973
Georgia
₹53.4L / $61,256
₹54.5L / $62,468
Hawaii
₹56.7L / $65,042
₹68.8L / $78,745
Idaho
₹48.6L / $55,640
₹58.5L / $68,781
Illinois
₹58.6L / $67,122
₹58.4L / $66,950
Indiana
₹49.2L / $56,410
₹52.7L / $60,351
Iowa
₹49.2L / $56,410
₹53.5L / $61,283
Kansas
₹49.1L / $56,264
₹56.3L / $64,518
Kentucky
₹47.2L / $54,018
₹50.2L / $57,509
Louisiana
₹46.6L / $53,435
₹47.2L / $53,821
Maine
₹52.3L / $60,008
₹57.9L / $66,369
Maryland
₹64.3L / $73,632
₹71.0L / $81,293
Massachusetts
₹70.1L / $80,330
₹70.9L / $81,170
Michigan
₹52.9L / $60,590
₹56.3L / $64,579
Minnesota
₹58.2L / $66,706
₹63.1L / $72,319
Mississippi
₹41.5L / $47,569
₹45.0L / $51,554
Missouri
₹50.2L / $57,574
₹52.0L / $59,605
Montana
₹48.8L / $55,910
₹56.9L / $65,242
Nebraska
₹50.7L / $58,074
₹55.7L / $63,813
Nevada
₹51.4L / $58,906
₹56.2L / $64,412
New Hampshire
₹57.6L / $66,102
₹73.2L / $84,017
New Jersey
₹64.6L / $73,986
₹72.5L / $83,102
New Mexico
₹50.1L / $57,512
₹49.6L / $56,766
New York
₹68.6L / $78,624
₹60.3L / $69,135
North Carolina
₹52.1L / $59,717
₹53.9L / $61,811
North Dakota
₹51.6L / $59,051
₹58.3L / $66,813
Ohio
₹52.3L / $59,883
₹53.8L / $61,617
Oklahoma
₹46.7L / $53,456
₹48.3L / $55,362
Oregon
₹58.2L / $66,706
₹61.3L / $70,266
Pennsylvania
₹54.0L / $61,922
₹58.4L / $66,923
Rhode Island
₹58.1L / $66,602
₹63.3L / $72,515
South Carolina
₹47.4L / $54,246
₹52.0L / $59,661
South Dakota
₹46.5L / $53,227
₹55.7L / $63,862
Tennessee
₹48.9L / $56,035
₹51.7L / $59,052
Texas
₹53.4L / $61,235
₹53.6L / $61,460
Utah
₹53.3L / $61,069
₹68.9L / $78,917
Vermont
₹54.8L / $62,774
₹57.5L / $65,712
Virginia
₹61.1L / $70,054
₹66.2L / $75,756
Washington
₹68.2L / $78,125
₹75.6L / $86,558
West Virginia
₹45.6L / $52,208
₹50.7L / $57,979
Wisconsin
₹51.9L / $59,509
₹57.6L / $66,106
Wyoming
₹50.4L / $57,928
₹53.9L / $61,866
Note: INR amounts are approximate, calculated using an exchange rate of 1 USD = 87.2778 INR as of March 11, 2025.
Salaries in the USA vary significantly across industries. High-paying sectors like utilities, IT, and finance offer the best compensation, while retail and hospitality remain at the lower end.
Below is a breakdown of weekly and annual earnings in INR first, followed by USD for a clearer perspective.
Industry-Wise Average Salary in USA (February 2025)
Industry
Weekly Earnings (INR / USD)
Annual Salary (INR / USD)
Utilities
₹1.92 L / $2,198.46
₹99.7 L / $114,320
Information (IT & Media)
₹1.66 L / $1,904.39
₹86.5 L / $99,028
Financial Activities
₹1.54 L / $1,761.18
₹79.9 L / $91,581
Mining & Logging
₹1.54 L / $1,762.95
₹80 L / $91,668
Construction
₹1.31 L / $1,510.03
₹68.5 L / $78,521
Wholesale Trade
₹1.30 L / $1,497.05
₹67.2 L / $77,047
Professional & Business Services
₹1.38 L / $1,578.32
₹71 L / $81,273
Manufacturing
₹1.22 L / $1,396.68
₹62.5 L / $71,627
Transportation & Warehousing
₹1.03 L / $1,186.43
₹52.4 L / $60,075
Private Education & Health Services
₹1.01 L / $1,154.23
₹50.6 L / $58,020
Other Services
₹91.1K / $1,043.45
₹45.6 L / $52,259
Retail Trade
₹64.6K / $740.89
₹32.9 L / $37,724
Leisure & Hospitality
₹50K / $572.77
₹25.9 L / $29,784
(Exchange Rate: $1 = ₹87.27, as of March 2025)
Key Takeaways
Highest-paying industries: Utilities, IT, and Finance offer annual salaries above ₹80 L ($90K+).
Mid-range salaries: Construction, manufacturing, and business services provide earnings in the range of ₹60-70 L ($70K-$80K).
Lowest-paying sectors: Retail and hospitality have the lowest earnings, with annual salaries around ₹25-35 L ($30K-$40K).
For Indian students and professionals aiming to work in the USA, industries like technology, finance, and healthcare present the best financial prospects.
Highest Paying Jobs in the USA- By Experience (2025)
In the USA, some professions consistently rank as the highest-paying jobs due to their demand, expertise requirements, and career longevity. Whether in healthcare, finance, law, or technology, these professions offer lucrative salaries, making them ideal choices for those seeking financial stability and growth.
The following is the breakdown of the highest-paying jobs in the USA by experience level (2025):
Profession
Entry-Level
(0-2 Years)
Mid-Level
(3-8 Years)
Senior-Level
(8+ Years)
Chief Executive Officer
₹1.08 Cr
$1,25,000
₹3.67 Cr
$4,20,000
₹9.79 Cr
$11,20,000
Professional Athletes
₹87.2 L
$1,00,000
₹4.36 Cr
$5,00,000
₹17.45 Cr
$20,00,000
General & Orthopedic Surgeons
₹1.92 Cr
$2,20,000
₹3.87 Cr
$4,40,000
₹7.87 Cr
$8,95,000
Anesthesiologist
₹1.79 Cr
$2,05,000
₹3.67 Cr
$4,20,000
₹7.84 Cr
$8,99,000
Investment Banker
₹87.2 L
$1,00,000
₹2.61 Cr
$3,00,000
₹5.23 Cr
$6,00,000
Corporate Lawyer
₹87.2 L
$1,00,000
₹1.75 Cr
$2,00,000
₹4.36 Cr
$5,00,000
Software Engineer
₹78.2 L
$89,600
₹1.32 Cr
$1,51,000
₹2.61 Cr
$3,00,000
Cosmetic Surgeon
₹1.44 Cr
$1,65,000
₹3.57 Cr
$4,10,000
₹7.17 Cr
$8,20,000
Psychiatrist
₹1.27 Cr
$1,45,000
₹2.61 Cr
$3,00,000
₹5.23 Cr
$6,00,000
Commercial Airline Pilot
₹1.05 Cr
$1,20,000
₹2.61 Cr
$3,00,000
₹5.23 Cr
$6,00,000
(All salaries converted at $1 = ₹87.27 as of March 2025) , Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Glassdoor, Payscale, Indeed, and Forbes reports.
Educational attainment plays a crucial role in determining salary levels, with higher qualifications generally leading to better earnings and lower unemployment rates. The data below provides insights into median weekly earnings and unemployment rates for different education levels in the USA as of 2023.
Educational Level
Median Weekly Earnings ($)
Annual Salary ($)
Approx. Annual Salary (INR)
Unemployment Rate (%)
Doctoral Degree
2,109
109,668
95.7 L
1.6
Professional Degree
2,206
114,712
1.0 Cr
1.2
Master’s Degree
1,737
90,324
78.8 L
2.0
Bachelor’s Degree
1,493
77,636
67.8 L
2.2
Associate Degree
1,058
55,016
48.1 L
2.7
Some College, No Degree
992
51,584
45.0 L
3.3
High School Diploma
899
46,748
40.8 L
3.9
Less Than High School Diploma
708
36,816
32.1 L
5.6
Note: (Exchange Rate: $1 = ₹87.27, as of March 2025)
For Indian students considering studying in the USA, understanding salary trends can be crucial in making informed career decisions. The average salary in the US varies by age, increasing significantly as professionals gain experience. This makes pursuing higher education abroad a valuable investment, as it opens doors to high-paying opportunities in global markets.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Alt Text: Data displaying the median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers in the USA, categorized by age and gender, based on Q4 2024 averages.
The table below presents the median weekly and annual earnings of full-time workers in the US, converted into INR (approx.) and USD, using the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Age Range
Median Weekly Earnings
Median Annual Earnings
16-19
₹59.2K | $679
₹30.6L | $35,308
20-24
₹68.4K | $784
₹35.4L | $40,768
25-34
₹99.2K | $1,136
₹51.9L | $59,072
35-44
₹1.18L | $1,356
₹61.8L | $70,512
45-54
₹1.16L | $1,336
₹60.7L | $69,472
55-64
₹1.11L | $1,268
₹57.5L | $65,936
65 and older
₹1.01L | $1,159
₹51.9L | $60,268
Note: The salaries are converted into INR (approx.), using an exchange rate of 1 USD = 87.28 INR.
Average Salary in USA - by Gender
Salaries in the US vary based on age, experience, and gender, with men historically earning more than women. However, the pay gap is narrowing, especially in high-paying fields such as STEM, finance, and healthcare.
The table below presents the average salary in the USA by age and gender, based on the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Age Range
Male Median Weekly Earnings
Female Median Weekly Earnings
Overall Median Weekly Earnings
16 years and over
₹1.13L | $1,302
₹94.5K | $1,083
₹1.04L | $1,192
16-19 years
₹61.2K | $701
₹51.1K | $586
₹59.2K | $679
20-24 years
₹71.1K | $814
₹64.3K | $737
₹68.4K | $784
25-34 years
₹1.03L | $1,187
₹92.7K | $1,062
₹99.2K | $1,136
35-44 years
₹1.30L | $1,488
₹1.05L | $1,205
₹1.18L | $1,356
45-54 years
₹1.28L | $1,468
₹1.04L | $1,193
₹1.16L | $1,336
55-64 years
₹1.26L | $1,442
₹95.7K | $1,097
₹1.11L | $1,268
65 years and over
₹1.15L | $1,313
₹92.0K | $1,055
₹1.01L | $1,159
Note: The salaries are converted into INR (approx.), using an exchange rate of 1 USD = 87.28 INR.
Several key factors influence the average salary in the USA, shaping income levels across different demographics and industries. Here’s a breakdown of the most significant ones:
1. Age
Earnings typically peak between the ages of 40-55, as individuals gain experience and seniority in their careers. Salaries tend to be higher for professionals in this age bracket compared to younger or older workers.
2. Education
Higher educational qualifications often lead to better-paying jobs. Workers with a high school diploma earn significantly less than those with a bachelor's degree or higher qualifications. Advanced degrees and specialized certifications further increase earning potential.
3. Gender
Wage disparities exist across genders, with men generally earning more than women in similar roles. Additionally, racial and ethnic differences contribute to variations in salary levels, with some groups facing pay gaps due to systemic factors.
4. Industry & Occupation
Certain industries, such as technology, finance, and healthcare, offer higher salaries compared to sectors like retail, hospitality, and administration. Specialized roles with high demand also tend to command better pay.
5. Work Experience & Job Level
Salaries increase with years of experience and career progression. Entry-level employees earn less compared to mid-career professionals and senior executives who bring extensive expertise to their roles.
6. Geographic Location
Salaries vary by region, with metropolitan areas generally offering higher wages due to increased living costs and greater economic opportunities. Rural areas may have lower salaries but also a lower cost of living.
7. Employment Benefits & Paid Time Off
Compensation isn't just about base salary—benefits such as paid time off, bonuses, and retirement contributions significantly impact overall earnings. Many American companies offer competitive benefits, which contribute to an employee’s total compensation package.
Indians' Average Salary in the USA vs. National Average
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s report ‘Median US Household Income By Selected Ethnic Groups, 2018’, Indians in the USA reported the highest median household income at $119,858, significantly exceeding other ethnic groups. Comparatively, Taiwanese had a median household income of $95,736, Chinese reported $81,487, and White Americans had $65,902.
Additionally, the U.S. Census Bureau states that the median family income for all individuals in the USA is approximately $80, 610 annually. However, Indians in the USA consistently earn more than the national average, primarily due to their strong presence in high-paying industries like IT, healthcare, and finance.
Category
Median Annual Income (USD)
Median Annual Income (INR)
Indian Americans
$119,858
₹1.04 Cr
Overall U.S. Population
$80,610
₹70.3 L
This data highlights that Indians in the USA earn substantially more than the general population, reinforcing their financial success in the country.
Should You Move to the USA in 2025 for a Higher Salary?
The USA is a land of opportunities, offering high-paying jobs, career growth, and an advanced work culture. With a strong economy and a diverse job market, many professionals consider relocating for better financial prospects. But is it the right choice in 2025? Let’s analyze the pros and cons of moving to the USA for a higher salary.
Pros of Moving to the USA for a Higher Salary
Higher Earnings Potential – The average salary in the USA is significantly higher than in many other countries, especially in tech, finance, healthcare, and engineering.
Career Growth & Innovation – The USA is home to global tech giants, Fortune 500 companies, and leading research institutions, providing immense career growth opportunities.
Better Work-Life Balance & Benefits – Many employers offer health insurance, paid time off, and retirement benefits, ensuring financial security.
Access to Quality Education – Professionals can upskill at top universities and research centers, leading to even higher salaries over time.
Cons of Moving to the USA for a Higher Salary
High Cost of Living – While salaries are high, cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles have steep housing and living costs.
Work Visa Challenges – Getting an H-1B or work visa can be complex, requiring employer sponsorship and approval.
Taxes & Healthcare Expenses – The tax burden in the USA is high, and healthcare can be expensive without employer-provided insurance.
Cultural Adjustment – Adapting to a new culture, work environment, and lifestyle can be challenging for newcomers.
Moving to the USA for a higher salary in 2025 can be a game-changer for professionals in high-demand fields. However, it's essential to consider visa policies, living expenses, and long-term career goals before making the move. If you’re in a high-paying industry with strong skills, the USA remains one of the best destinations for career growth and financial success.
How upGrad Helps?
If you’re looking to boost your career and secure a high-paying job in the USA, upGrad offers top-tier programs designed to enhance your skills and increase your earning potential. With specialized courses in technology, management, and finance, upGrad helps professionals stay competitive in global job markets and prepares them to study in the USA for better career prospects.
Industry-Relevant Courses – Learn in-demand skills from globally recognized universities and faculty.
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Job Assistance in the USA – Connect with recruiters and explore job opportunities that align with the average salary in USA benchmarks.
A good salary in the USA depends on factors like location, industry, and lifestyle. On average, an annual income of $70,000 to $100,000 is considered comfortable for a middle-class lifestyle in most states. However, in high-cost cities like New York or San Francisco, a salary above $120,000 is ideal for financial stability.
What is the highest-paid job in the USA?
Some of the highest-paying jobs in the USA include:
Surgeons & Anesthesiologists – Over $400,000 per year
CEOs & Business Executives – Over $250,000 per year
Investment Bankers & Financial Analysts – $150,000 to $300,000 per year
Software Engineers & AI Experts – $120,000 to $250,000 per year
What is the average salary in America per month?
The average monthly salary in the USA is around $6,717 (equivalent to an annual salary of $80,610). However, this varies significantly based on experience, industry, and location.
Which US states recorded the highest average salaries?
The top states with the highest average salaries in the USA include:
California – Due to Silicon Valley, high salaries in tech & finance sectors
New York – High-paying jobs in finance, law, and business
Massachusetts – Strong earnings in healthcare, education, and tech
Washington – Home to top companies like Amazon and Microsoft
Do men earn more than women in the USA?
Yes, there is still a gender pay gap in the USA. On average, women earn about 82 cents for every $1 earned by men. However, the gap varies by industry, experience, and education.
Which US universities recorded the lowest average salaries?
Some universities with lower average graduate salaries include regional colleges and liberal arts institutions. Salaries also depend on the field of study; degrees in humanities and arts typically yield lower starting salaries than STEM fields.
Does discrimination affect Indians' average salary in USA?
While many Indians earn higher-than-average salaries in the USA, discrimination can still impact earnings. Factors like visa status, racial bias, and workplace culture may affect promotions and salary growth. However, legal protections and skill-based employment help reduce these disparities.
Can Indians expect their average salary in USA to increase if they attend a US college?
Yes, obtaining a degree from a reputed US university can lead to higher salaries. Many top employers prefer candidates with American education, especially in STEM fields, finance, and healthcare. However, tuition fees should be considered before pursuing higher education in the USA.
Do Indians get paid differently based on where they live in the USA?
Yes, salaries vary significantly based on location. Major cities like New York, San Francisco, and Seattle offer higher salaries but also have higher living costs. Meanwhile, states like Texas and Florida have lower costs but may also have lower median salaries.
Is it common for Indians in the USA to send money back to India? How does this affect their salary savings?
Yes, many Indians working in the USA send remittances to India to support family members. While this doesn't directly affect their salaries, it can impact personal savings and investment decisions. Budgeting and financial planning are essential to maintain a balance.
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