Rising Wages and Persistent Inequalities
The median weekly wages for full-time and salaried workers in the United States have seen a notable increase, rising nearly 5% from the previous year. According to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly wage in the first quarter of 2025 reached $1,194. This translates to a monthly income of approximately $5,174 or an annual salary of around $62,088, marking a 4.8% rise compared to the same period in 2024.
Despite this overall growth, significant disparities remain, particularly in the gender pay gap. Women earned $1,096 per week, which is roughly 83.9% of the median weekly wage of $1,307 for men. The wage gap varies across different racial and ethnic groups:
- Black women earned 96.8% of what Black men made.
- Hispanic women earned 88.7% of what Hispanic men made.
- White women earned 82.2% of what White men made.
- Asian women earned 79.9% of what Asian men made.
These figures highlight ongoing challenges in achieving equal pay across different demographics.
Earnings by Age
Age remains a crucial factor in determining earnings, with salaries typically increasing as individuals progress through their careers and then declining as they approach retirement. Here’s a breakdown of average weekly and annual earnings by age group:
- 16-19 years old: $648 weekly or $33,696 annually
- 20-24 years old: $792 weekly or $41,184 annually
- 25-34 years old: $1,125 weekly or $58,500 annually
- 35-44 years old: $1,332 weekly or $69,264 annually
- 45-54 years old: $1,376 weekly or $71,552 annually
- 55-64 years old: $1,302 weekly or $67,704 annually
- 65+ years old: $1,222 weekly or $63,544 annually
Men aged 45 to 54 had the highest weekly earnings at $1,512, while women in the same age group earned slightly less at $1,233 per week. Younger workers, specifically those aged 16 to 24, experienced the smallest gender pay gap, with women earning 92.2% of what men earned. As age increases, the gap widens: it stands at 84% for workers aged 25 to 54 and drops to 77.1% for those aged 55 and older.
Education and Earning Potential
Education also plays a critical role in determining earning potential. The data reveals the following median weekly and annual salaries based on educational attainment:
- Grade-school education: $743 weekly or $38,636 annually
- High school diploma only: $953 weekly or $49,556 annually
- Some college or associate degree: $1,096 weekly or $56,992 annually
- Bachelor’s degree: $1,603 weekly or $83,356 annually
- Advanced degree: $1,961 weekly or $101,972 annually
Workers with a bachelor’s degree earned over 68% more than those without any college education, translating to about $33,800 more per year. Among top earners with advanced degrees, 10% of men made $5,079 or more per week, while women in that category earned $3,528 or more.
These trends underscore the importance of education in shaping long-term financial outcomes. However, even within higher education levels, disparities persist, particularly between genders.
Conclusion
While the U.S. labor market shows signs of improvement with rising wages, the persistence of gender and racial pay gaps highlights the need for continued efforts toward equity. Understanding these dynamics can help individuals make informed decisions about education, career paths, and personal financial planning.
