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At both federal and state levels, financial institutions are governed by laws that protect consumers against unfair and unscrupulous treatment in the banking and finance sectors. In addition, guidelines are in place to combat fraud and monopolistic behavior, helping to ensure the smooth running of the free-market economy.

Granted, catastrophic historic events — such as the 2008 global financial crisis — occur despite the oversight of robust financial regulatory agencies. Because of this, laws and regulations are constantly being examined and updated to finesse the banking and finance legal framework.

Read on to understand more about finance watchdogs, their roles, and how regulations work to protect the public and the economy from fraud and illicit practices.

What Is Financial Regulation?

Financial regulation is a set of laws, rules, and policies set by governing institutions. These are designed to keep your money safer. Specifically, they aim to maintain confidence and stability in the financial system by eliminating fraud and monopolistic behavior.

In the United States, governing bodies try to balance the need for oversight with a free-market economy, which can be a challenging endeavor.

Why Financial Regulations Are Important

Without regulations, consumers have no protections. They might be subject to fraud, sold bad mortgages, and charged high interest rates and fees on credit cards. Large companies could create monopolies or duopolies, which allow them to control prices.

Laws and policies prevent companies from gaining too much market control and stifling competition, which threatens the free market economy. Regulations also prevent financial institutions from taking risks that put consumer funds in jeopardy.

Here’s a brief history lesson that shows how lack of regulation can negatively impact daily life: The 2008 financial crisis was precipitated by deregulation and the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933. This allowed financial institutions to engage in risky hedge fund trading. To fund their investments, the banks created interest-only loans for subprime borrowers, which contributed to more home purchases (including to buyers who would not have otherwise qualified) and quickly rising prices. This created a housing bubble, and millions of people were left bankrupt and couldn’t sell their homes when home prices then plummeted.

But too much regulation can also be a threat to an economy. In a free-market economy, prices are largely determined by supply and demand. Competition among suppliers tends to keep prices at bay as they each try to grab market share.

If regulations become too onerous and costly, companies may use up capital to comply with federal rules. That means they aren’t using those funds to create innovative products. In some cases, specific industries or groups manage to influence regulators and persuade them to introduce or eliminate laws that benefit them and not their competitors.

Types of Financial Regulations

Different agencies focus on the safety and soundness of products and services, transparency and disclosure, standards, competition, and rates and prices for different entities. Here’s a closer look at some of the most important regulations to be aware of:

•   Stock Exchange Regulations Laws and rules for stock exchanges ensure that the pricing, execution, and settlement of trades is fair and efficient.

•   Listed Company Regulations Listed companies (public companies) are required to prepare quarterly financial statements and submit them to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and to their shareholders. Investors use this information to inform their trades.

•   Asset Management Regulation Financial advisors and asset managers must follow strict rules set by financial services regulatory bodies so that clients are treated fairly and not defrauded. Any company that provides investment advice is considered an investment advisor, and the SEC oversees investment advisors with more $110 million in assets under management (AUM).

•   Financial Services Regulation Banking and financial institutions must follow specific guidelines to ensure a functioning banking system. These rules are enforced by The Federal Reserve Board (the Fed), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Recommended: What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor?

Types of Financial Institutions

There are a wide variety of financial institutions in America, some of which you may be familiar with. Here’s the rundown:

•   Central banks, like the U.S. Federal Reserve, watch over the country’s monetary policy.

•   Retail banks are probably what most people are familiar with. These are banks where the general public can have checking accounts and savings accounts, loans, and other financial services.

•   Commercial banks are similar to retail banks (above) but they serve the business community. Large banks may act as both commercial and retail banks.

•   Credit unions are similar to banks but they are nonprofits, and members are part owners of them. They offer the same kind of services as banks but may tailor themselves to specific communities.

•   Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) are financial institutions that work to build financial knowledge, services, and wealth in communities that are less advantaged.

•   Savings and loan associations are organizations that use savings to create housing loans.

•   Brokerages manage securities trading (say, stocks and exchange-traded funds, or ETFs), which are regulated though not insured.

•   Insurance companies help both businesses and individuals protect themselves from property loss and may provide services such as loans.

•   Investment companies function by issuing securities to both businesses and individuals who seek to raise capital.

•   Mortgage companies offer home loans and may also manage commercial real estate.

What Is a Financial Regulator?

A financial regulator is an organized governmental or formal body that has the jurisdiction to oversee other entities, such as stock markets, banks, and asset managers. Their mandate is to ensure fairness, protect the public and institutions from fraud, and to facilitate a well-functioning financial sector.

Examples of financial regulators are the Fed, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

How Are Financial Institutions Regulated?

Banks and financial institutions are regulated by the Fed, the OCC, the CFPB, and the FDIC, while asset management companies and stock exchanges answer to the SEC and FINRA. (Also worth noting: Individual stock brokers, investment bankers, and other professionals likely need FINRA securities licenses.) State agencies may enforce regulations on financial institutions, notably insurance providers.

Each of these organizations requires documentation from financial institutions and companies that show compliance with laws. For example, listed companies have to submit quarterly financial statements to the SEC. If they fail to do so, they may be charged with “Failing to Comply” and may lose the ability to trade their shares on the stock market and be forced to pay penalties.

Recommended: FINRA vs. SEC: How are they Different?

The Most Common Financial Regulatory Bodies

The following is a list of the more recognized regulatory agencies and a brief description of what each one does.

The Federal Reserve Board (FRB)

The Fed is the central bank of the United States. As such, it ensures the U.S. economy functions effectively. The Fed is in charge of monetary policy and has the power to increase or decrease interest rates or to instruct banks on the quantity of reserves they must maintain. The Fed also monitors financial systems and their impacts, facilitates efficient settlement of U.S dollar transactions, and upholds laws that protect consumers.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

The FDIC was created by Congress to support the U.S. financial system. The FDIC insures deposits and monitors financial institutions and their compliance with consumer protection laws. The FDIC also manages bank failures, though they occur very rarely.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

The is a relatively new agency that implements and enforces Federal consumer financial law. CFPB regulations protect consumers by making sure financial products and services are “fair, transparent, and competitive.”

The National Credit Union Association (NCUA)

The NCUA was created by Congress in 1970. The association insures consumer accounts with credit unions with up to $250,000 of share insurance. Enforcement tools of the association include letters of understanding and agreement, administrative orders, and consent orders.

The Securities Exchange Commission (SEC)

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The SEC strives to maintain the public’s trust in the capital markets by insisting on fair practices. Various acts have been passed over time including the Securities Act of 1933, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)

The CFTC was created in 1974 to oversee commodity trading in the agricultural sector. Commodity trading has been subject to government regulation since the 1920s. The CFTC supervises and monitors commodity traders and market activity. The commission investigates and prosecutes wrongdoers and educates customers about their rights and how to avoid fraud.

Recommended: What Are the Difference Between FDIC and NCUA Insurance?

How Financial Regulators Help Banking in the Way We Know Today

The banking and financial systems operate well under current regulation, but what about digital banking? Digital banking is a recent innovation, and existing banking laws and regulations generally apply to digital start-ups and fintechs. However, there are some regulatory frameworks specifically for digital banking.

An example of protection for digital banking consumers is Electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC), which is used for digital onboarding and checks that a customer is who they say they are to avoid fraud and money laundering. E-signature is a way for customers to validate transactions remotely.

Another instance is the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (Regulation E) which aims to make applicable electronic transactions compliant with regulations as well as have “readily understandable” consumer disclosures.

Recommended: Online Banking vs Traditional Banking: What’s Your Best Option?

The Takeaway

Financial services regulatory bodies like the Fed, the FDIC, and the SEC oversee the banking and finance sectors in the United States. State agencies also play a role. Though many consumers are not aware of the details, these regulatory bodies have jurisdiction over stock markets, commercial and retail banks, investment banks, and asset managers. Their mandate is to ensure fairness for consumers, ensure entities comply with fraud protection rules, and to protect the financial sector and free-market economy.

Which is all good, of course. But if you are looking for a great bank for your personal accounts, see what SoFi offers.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

Who regulates financial institutions in the United States?

In the United States, financial institutions are regulated by the Fed, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the SEC, FINRA, the CFPB, the NCUA, and the CFTC. State agencies also enforce regulations on financial institutions, especially insurance providers.

What are regulators in finance?

Finance and banking regulators are state- and government-appointed bodies that protect the safety and fair treatment of consumers. They also ensure smooth operations of the finance and banking sectors, the backbone of the economy.

Who regulates investment banks?

U.S investment banks are regulated by the SEC. For regulatory purposes, investment banks were declared separate for commercial banks following the passing of the Glass Steagall Act of 1933.

Photo credit: iStock/assalve

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Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

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*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Live in Oregon or thinking of moving there? If so, you might be interested in knowing where you stand salary-wise compared to other 49 states.

The latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the average annual income for Oregonians is $66,710, That’s slightly higher than the average annual salary in the U.S. of $65,470. Of course, an individual’s yearly earnings depend on several factors, including their occupation, level of education, age, and professional experience.

Here’s a closer look at the average salary in Oregon by age, city, and county, along with some of the highest paying jobs in the Beaver State:

Average Salary in Oregon by Age in 2024

As with other states, the highest earners in Oregon fall within the 25 to 64 age range, with a salary decline around retirement time. The salary peaks tend to be commensurate with age and experience. Not surprisingly, entry-level salaries in Oregon tend to be on the lower end of the spectrum.

Recommended: U.S. Average Income by Age

Average Salary in Oregon by City in 2024

You don’t need a money tracker to tell you that the city you live in can greatly influence how much you make each year. Oregon is no different. Per ZipRecruiter, here are the average salaries in 10 Oregon cities:

•   Myrtle Point: $92,446

•   Salem: $76,125

•   Gold Beach: $74,126

•   New Hope: $70,922

•   Nesika Beach: $70,351

•   Portland: $69,904

•   Melrose: $68,811

•   Coquille: $68,534

•   Bunker Hill: $68,454

•   Eola: $67,962

Average Salary in Oregon by County in 2024

Salaries can vary per county as a result of different factors. These can include whether the county is home to a larger city, where there’s more variety in work opportunities, a need for skilled workers, and the possibility of higher pay.

According to the latest Oregon state government figures, here’s an overview of the average annual salary in select counties:

•   Morrow County: $64,067

•   Benton County: $62,757

•   Sherman County: $57,081

•   Linn County: $51,902

•   Umatilla County: $50,758

•   Douglas County: $50,220

•   Tillamook County: $49,350

•   Klamath County: $48,488

•   Curry County: $44,201

•   Wheeler County: $36,359

Examples of the Highest-Paying Jobs in Oregon

A well-paying job can allow you to live a very comfortable lifestyle in Oregon. Oregon’s top paying jobs provide a six-figure salary, and tend to be in the medical field. However, occupations in business, science, and technology also make the list of some of the biggest salaries.

According to the BLS, some of Oregon’s highest-paying jobs are:

•   Dermatologist: $481,330

•   Anesthesiologist: $444,090

•   Orthopedic surgeon: $421,790

•   CEO: $371,290

•   Obstetricians and gynecologists: $329,680

•   Psychiatrist: $287,370

•   Pediatrician: $219,110

•   Computer and Information Research Scientist: $178,790

•   Dentist: $177,440

•   Physicist: $169,720

There are other occupations in Oregon with an annual salary of $85,000 or more a year that can allow for a more flexible schedule or be done remotely, such as an art director, financial specialist, web designer, or writer. These are jobs that can easily be work-from-home situations, which can offer opportunities for introverts.

Whatever your current salary, there are always ways to maximize your earnings by monitoring your spending and setting up a budget. A budget planner app can help with both.

Recommended: 2024 Net Worth Calculator by Age with Examples

The Takeaway

Considering moving to Oregon and wondering if you can afford it? The average annual income for Oregonians is $66,710, which is slightly more than $65,470, the average annual salary in the U.S. There are many counties and towns in Oregon where making this amount of money can provide a nice quality of life, though some cities and certain regions will be more expensive. However, the state is home to many high-earning occupations, and people between the ages of 25 and 64 are in a prime spot for earning a livable salary in the Beaver State.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

What is a good average salary in Oregon?

The median household income in Oregon is $86,780 according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The size of your family, your basic expenses, and the area you live, as well as other factors, can determine how far the money can stretch.

What is the average gross salary in Oregon?

The average annual gross salary in Oregon is $66,710, which breaks down to a monthly salary of $5,559.17 and $2,565.77 biweekly. This translates to $1,282.88 weekly, $256.58 daily, and an hourly wage of $32.07. Since the median rent in Oregon is $2,228 a month, you’ll want to earn more than the median yearly salary in order to be able to cover all of your expenses and possibly have some left over for savings and entertainment.

What is the average income per person in Oregon?

The annual average personal income in Oregon is $65,426, per the latest figures from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

What is a livable wage in Oregon?

In order to make a living wage in Oregon, a single adult without children in Oregon needs to make $50,553 a year. This covers the basic cost of living, including housing, transportation, food, and medical care. For two working adults with two kids, the required income needed (before taxes) is $93,735.

Photo credit: iStock/StockRocket

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SORL-Q224-1906882-V1

The average salary across the United States sits at $63,795, per the Social Security Administration. So an income of $300,000 per year — more than four times that figure — is by most standards a great salary for a single person in 2024.

Of course, even a large amount of money can come up short if you don’t have a solid budget in place or if you lead a particularly expensive lifestyle.

Below, we’ll dive into the various considerations.

Is $300K a Good Salary?

If you’ve just been offered a job with this figure in its compensation package, you may be wondering, “Is $300,000 a good salary for a single person?”

The thing is, there’s really no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. While $300,000 per year is substantially more than most people — or even most U.S. households — make, whether or not it’s comfortable for you depends on your lifestyle choices and expectations.

Median Income in the US by State in 2024

You may be wondering how much you make compared to your neighbors. Median yearly household income varies significantly by state, ranging from Mississippi’s $52,985 to Maryland’s $98,461. However, nowhere in America does the median household income come anywhere close to $300,000 per year.

Average Cost of Living in the US by State in 2024

Just as median income varies significantly depending on which state you’re in, so does the state-by-state cost of living. This means that $300,000 can go a lot further in, say, Arkansas than it would in California.

While these figures are just averages — and the state-wide cost of living can vary substantially depending on which city you live in — here’s the average cost of living in each of the 50 states:

How to Live on $300K a Year

No matter what you earn, figuring out how to spend (and save) your money takes effort and planning. Although it may seem like, with a six-figure salary, you can just buy whatever you want, if you don’t take the time to lay out how much money you’re actually taking home each month — and how much needs to be set aside for regular, necessary expenses like housing, insurance, food, and utility bills — you could quickly find yourself eating into your savings or even spiraling into credit card debt.

A money tracker is a great way to get a bird’s-eye view of where your funds are really going. This can be a first step toward deciding where you want them to go, rather than letting them whisk themselves away.

How to Budget for a $300K Salary

Whether you’re earning an entry-level salary or sitting in the C-suite, a little bit of budgeting can go a long way. But how?

The first step in budgeting is to determine how much money you make each month, which, in the case of someone earning a $300,000 salary, is about $25,000 before taxes are taken out. Because state taxes can vary significantly, you’ll need to look at your own pay stubs or do the math to determine how much is left afterwards, also known as your “net” income.

Once you know your net income, you can begin to deduct your regular, expected expenses. These include your housing payment (like rent or a mortgage), insurance payments, utility bills, and other recurring regular expenses (like your Netflix subscription). You should also set aside a budget for required monthly expenses that may vary a bit but are still critical, like groceries and fuel, or transportation.

Now, you can subtract your monthly expenses from your monthly earnings to determine how much discretionary income you have to do with what you please, including setting aside at least some of it for savings.

Sounds like too much work to do this all on paper? Fortunately, there are plenty of budget planner apps that can make the process a breeze.

Maximizing a $300K Salary

Just because you earn a lot doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot. And if you’re careful with your over-average salary, you can save money for the future and help safeguard your lifestyle for the long run.

For example, if you saved just 10% of your $300,000 per year salary, that would be $30,000 per year into your emergency fund or investment account. Especially if you choose to invest it, that amount can really add up over a relatively short amount of time — increasing your overall net worth and potentially even giving you the opportunity to retire early!

Quality of Life with a $300K Salary

Because a $300,000 per year salary is so much higher than the average cost of living in most states, most people who earn this much will find themselves able to afford a very comfortable, high quality of living anywhere.

Of course, the money can still go further in some places than others. For instance, on $300,000, you might be able to afford a small mansion in Mississippi — or an 800-square-foot apartment in Manhattan.

Is $300,000 a Year Considered Rich?

Given that the average salary in the U.S. is about 21% of $300,000, yes, many would consider someone earning $300,000 per year by themselves to be rich.

However, in most states, you’d need to make substantially more than $300,000 per year to be in the top 1% of earners. The states where you’d come closest are West Virginia and Mississippi, where the top 1% earn at least $367,582 and $381,919 per year, respectively.

Is $300K a Year Considered Middle Class?

The amount of money you’d need to earn to be considered middle class varies depending on where you live. But according to the Pew Research Center, it’s between about $47,189 and $141,568 per year on average. Which is to say, no, $300,000 per year is not considered middle class in the vast majority of cities and scenarios.

Example Jobs that Make About $300,000 a Year

Don’t make $300,000 per year (yet), and curious about how to make the dream a reality?

You might consider opening your heart to cardiology, which, according to data compiled by SoFi, offers an average salary of $421,330 per year. Medical positions feature prominently among the top-paying jobs, with surgeons, radiologists, dermatologists, emergency medicine physicians, and anesthesiologists all earning more than $300,000 per year.

The Takeaway

A salary of $300,000 is substantially higher than the national average and certainly a “good” salary for a single person in 2024 by most peoples’ reckoning. That said, no matter how much you earn, bad financial habits can bite you in the long run, so don’t forget about your budget.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

Can I live comfortably making $300K a year?

While everyone’s standard of comfort is individual, given how much higher $300,000 per year is than the average U.S. salary, yes, most people would be able to live comfortably on $300,000 per year. Even for high earners, however, having a budget is important. Making a plan for your money helps ensure you know exactly where each dollar is going rather than watching them fly away on their own.

What can I afford with a $300K salary?

With a $300,000 salary, you could afford a lot of things, including, depending on your overall applicant profile, a home priced close to a million dollars. With a high salary and the opportunity to save up money, you could likely afford luxurious vacations or high-end toys and gadgets, too. Again, though, a higher-than-average salary doesn’t preclude you from overspending or going into debt, so be sure to make a budget that accounts for all your necessary and discretionary expenses.

How much is $300K a year hourly?

For those who work 40-hour weeks 50 weeks out of the year, a $300,000 salary comes out to an hourly rate of around $150.

How much is $300K a year monthly?

A salary of $300,000 per year, divided by 12 months, comes out to roughly $25,000 per month.

How much is $300K a year daily?

A gross annual income of $300,000 per year, divided by 365 days, comes out to about $821.92 per day. Of course, most people don’t work every single day of the year. As an estimate for the normal five-day work week, accounting for weekends and typical American public holidays, an employee might work about 250 days per year, in which case a $300,000 salary comes out to approximately $1,200 per day.

Photo credit: iStock/Dusan Atlagic

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SORL-Q224-1906698-V1

By most definitions, an annual salary of $90,000 is considered good. In fact, it’s quite a bit higher than the average salary nationwide, which is $63,795, according to the Social Security Administration. If you’re a single person and only supporting yourself, that income should allow you to cover the necessities with enough left over for saving and entertainment.

But just how far your money goes depends largely on factors like your spending habits, your financial obligations, and the cost of living in your area. If you earn $90,000 and live in San Francisco or New York, two of the priciest cities in the country, you may find yourself pinching pennies or living paycheck to paycheck. On the other hand, if you settle down in a more affordable location, such as Winston-Salem, NC, you should find you can live a more comfortable life on a $90,000 salary.

Is $90K a Good Salary?

While $90,000 a year is generally considered a good salary for a single person, whether that’s the case for you depends on your spending habits and financial situation. For example, if you have a lot of debt or live in a pricey area, you may find it more of a challenge to get by on that salary.

One good way to think about your salary is to look at where your money is currently going. Using a money tracker or other type of tool, make a list of your recurring expenses and see if your income is able to keep up. If it is, then that is a good sign that you are making a satisfactory salary for your situation.

Recommended: U.S. Average Income by Age

Median Income in the US by State in 2024

There are different ways to think about a $90,000 salary. You can compare it to the average salary in the U.S. which as we mentioned earlier is $63,795. Or see how it stacks up against the median national salary, which was $59,384 in Q4 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In both cases, $90,000 far exceeds what a typical American worker earns in a year.

But how does that salary compare to what a typical household earns in a year? The answer varies widely by state, as the U.S. Census Bureau data below shows. For instance, Maryland has the highest median annual salary at $98,461 and Mississippi has the lowest, at $52,985 per year.

Average Cost of Living in the US by State in 2024

The cost of living in your area can heavily impact how well you’re able to live on your income. While high salaries and high costs of living tend to go together, there is not always a perfect correlation. A cost of living calculator can help you determine the expenses where you’re living now and where you might consider moving in the future.

In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis compiles a list of how much residents in each state spend on necessities like housing, utilities, food, and health care. That information, found in the chart below, can also be useful.

How to Budget for a $90K Salary

While $90,000 can provide a good life for a single person, it’s still a smart idea to create a budget you’ll be able to follow. After all, no matter how high your income is, you can usually find things to spend it on. And without a budget, it can be easy to spend what you have mindlessly.

There are several ways to approach budgeting. One, the 50/30/20 budgeting method, is straightforward: Simply earmark 50% of your paycheck for necessities (such as housing, transportation, and food); 30% for wants (such as meals out and travel); and 20% for saving and paying down debt.

If you need help getting started, tools like a budget planner app can guide you through creating a budget, tracking spending, and even monitoring your credit.

Maximizing a $90K Salary

You may not be pinching pennies if you’re earning $90K a year, but you’re likely interested in getting the most out of your income. Here are some ideas to explore:

•   Build up an emergency fund. Your rainy-day fund should have enough to cover three to six months’ worth of expenses.

•   Pay down debt. Once your emergency fund is well established, turn your focus to paying off revolving debt.

•   Invest in your future. Have a 401(k) retirement plan through your employer? Check your budget and see if you can afford to ramp up your monthly contributions.

Quality of Life with a $90K Salary

Because a $90,000 annual salary is higher than the average salary in the United States — and a generous entry-level salary for most fields — chances are you can have a good quality of life if you make that much money.

However, everyone’s financial situation is unique, and as mentioned above, different areas of the U.S. have higher or lower cost of living. Your quality of life with a $90K salary is likely to be higher in a state with a lower cost of living, like Iowa or Kentucky, than it is in a state with a high cost of living, such as California or Massachusetts.

Is $90,000 a Year Considered Rich?

There are many definitions for what constitutes being “rich.” Depending on yours, a single person who lives in an area with a low cost of living and earns $90,000 a year might be considered well-off. But it’s worth noting that many definitions of rich typically focus on your total assets rather than your annual salary.

In that case, it may make sense to calculate your net worth, which just involves subtracting your outstanding debts or liabilities from the value of your combined assets. If your assets are worth more than your liabilities, your net worth is positive. If your liabilities are greater than your assets, your net worth is negative.

Recommended: Net Worth Calculator by Age

Is $90K a Year Considered Middle Class?

Depending on where you live and your household size, you may be classified as middle class. According to the Pew Research Center, a middle-class household has an income between $47,189 and $141,568. A $90,000 salary is well within that range.

Example Jobs that Make About a $90,000 Salary

Salaries can vary dramatically depending on the level of experience and the area of the country you live in. With that in mind, here are some jobs that pay around $90,000 per year, according to the BLS:

•   Registered nurse: $94,480

•   Web developer: $92,750

•   Psychologist: $92,740

•   Agricultural engineer: $88,750

•   Dental hygienist: $87,530

If you’re looking for more inspiration, you can also look at lists of the highest-paying jobs by state.

Recommended: 30 Best Jobs for Introverts

The Takeaway

While it’s not quite a six-figure salary, $90,000 for a single person is still higher than the average annual salary in the United States. Because of this, it can generally be considered a good salary for someone who is supporting only themself.

However, your cost of living and your overall financial situation will play a big role in determining your quality of life on a $90K salary. No matter what your salary, a smart first step in establishing a solid financial footing is to create and stick to a budget.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

Can I live comfortably making $90K a year?

Whether you can live comfortably making $90K a year will depend on a number of factors, including your local cost of living, financial obligations, and spending habits. That said, a single person with little to no debt who lives in an affordable area can likely be comfortable with such a salary.

What can I afford with a $90K salary?

While $90K is not quite a six-figure salary, it is close. As such, most single people with a $90K salary should be able to afford all of their necessities, along with some extras including saving for retirement.

How much is $90K a year hourly?

A $90,000 annual salary works out to around $43.27 an hour.

How much is $90K a year monthly?

If you earn $90K a year, your monthly income is roughly $7,500.

How much is $90K a year daily?

A $90,000 salary breaks down to approximately $375 per working day.

Photo credit: iStock/alvarez

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

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SORL-Q224-1906652-V1

The Fresh Start Program offers federal student loan borrowers who are in default a second chance at regaining federal aid benefits. This program allows defaulted borrowers to pull themselves out of the consequences of default, but borrowers must take action to enroll in the program by the impending deadline.

According to StudentAid.gov, more than six million borrowers are eligible for the Fresh Start student loan program. If you’re among the millions of borrowers who could benefit from what this temporary relief program can offer, here’s what to know and how to act on this limited-time opportunity.

Who Qualifies for the Fresh Start Program?

Federal student loan borrowers with qualifying loans are eligible to participate in the one-time Fresh Start program. Students loans that qualify include:

•   All defaulted William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans and Family Federal Education Loans (FFEL) that went into default before March 13, 2020.

•   Defaulted Perkins loans that are held by the Department of Education.

Defaulted loans that aren’t eligible for Fresh Start include Perkins loans that are held by schools, Health Education Assistance Loan (HEAL) Program loans, and Direct Loans and FFEL Loans that went into default after the COVID-19 payment pause ended. Loans that are pending litigation under the Department of Justice are also not eligible for the Fresh Start Program.

💡 Quick Tip: The Fresh fresh start program student loans can help borrowers avoid delinquency and get back on track with payments.

Do Private Student Loans Qualify?

Since the Fresh Start student loan program is a federal initiative, it’s only accessible to borrowers who’ve defaulted on the qualifying federal student loans mentioned above. If you have a private student loan that’s in default, it is ineligible for this government program.

It’s important to speak to your lender as soon as possible if you can’t make your loan payment. Lenders might send a defaulted private student loan to collections to get payment, and report the default to credit bureaus which harms your credit history and score.

Benefits Available Through the Fresh Start Program

If your defaulted federal student loans qualify for the Fresh Start initiative, enrolling in the program can unlock crucial benefits that are typically inaccessible with a defaulted loan status. Here’s how the Fresh Start program for student loans can help you:

•   Re-access federal student loans and grants. By lifting your loan out of default through the Fresh Start program, you’ll regain eligibility for federal student loans and grants.

•   Enroll in an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. Fresh Starts lets you enroll in an IDR which you weren’t eligible for with a defaulted loan. This includes the newest Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan which, according to the Department of Education, lowered monthly payments for 50% of SAVE Plan participants to $0.

•   Requalifies you for loan forgiveness. Loans in default don’t qualify for loan forgiveness, so Fresh Start can help you regain student loan forgiveness eligibility for that debt.

•   Erases the default from your credit history. Fresh Start changes the loan’s status from “default” to “current” on your credit report. This essential change not only has a positive impact on your finances, like qualifying for lower rates on new credit accounts, but also in your everyday life, like for a rental application.

•   Dodges wage garnishment actions. Some borrowers with defaulted federal loans might have up to 15% of their wages garnished as a way for the government to collect the unpaid debt. Under Fresh Start, the wage garnishment practice for qualifying defaulted loans is avoided.

•   Avoids withholding other federal benefit payments. Benefit payments from federal sources, like Social Security and tax refunds, can be automatically withheld and applied to the defaulted loan balance. By getting your loan out of default through Fresh Start, you can avoid this outcome.

Applying for the Fresh Start Program

The student loan Fresh Start application is straightforward, and enrollment only takes a few minutes. For defaulted federal student loans that are held by a guaranty agency, you must contact the agency that holds your loans to enroll in Fresh Start. If you’re unsure which agency oversees your defaulted loan, call the Debt Resolution Group at 1 (800) 621-3115.

For defaulted loans that are held by the Department of Education, there are three ways to enroll:

•   Online. Create a myeddebt.ed.gov account if you don’t already have one; otherwise, log into your myeddebt.ed.gov account. Under the Account Information page, find the Fresh Start Transfer Information section and click on the link to “enroll.”

•   Phone. Call 1 (800) 621-3115 to speak to a representative with the Debt Resolution Group. When you’re asked for the reason for your call, say that you’d like to “get out of default through Fresh Start” or similar wording. You can also express your interest in enrolling in an IDR plan while making this phone call.

•   Mail. Mail a request letter with your name, Social Security number, date of birth, mailing address, and the following language: “I would like to use Fresh Start to bring my loans back into good standing.” All letters must be postmarked before October 1, 2025 and mailed to: PO Box 5609, Greenville, TX 75403.

Does the Fresh Start Program Have a Deadline?

Generally, the main Fresh Start eligibility criteria is ensuring the federal loan that’s in default qualifies for the program. A vital part of participating in the program is requesting enrollment into Fresh Start by the September 30, 2025 deadline.

After this date, the program is closed to enrollment, and currently, there are no announced plans to extend the deadline. Don’t miss out on this one-time opportunity to get your federal student loans back into good standing.

Next Steps After the Fresh Start Program

When your loan is successfully out of the default standing, it’s assigned to a new loan servicer. The loan’s status will show on your account as “in repayment,” and the Department of Education will request the removal of the loan’s default record from your credit report.

Your new loan servicer will contact you once your loan is successfully transferred. Shortly afterward — typically within a week — you can then apply for an income-driven repayment plan to help make your payments more manageable.

The Takeaway

Fresh Start offers easy and fast relief from federal student loan default. If you have qualifying Direct or FFEL Program loans, this temporary program not only helps you get a defaulted federal loan back into good standing and re-access certain federal programs, it can improve other areas of your life and finances by removing the adverse default status from your credit record.

But with the upcoming September 30, 2024 deadline to enroll, you must act quickly to recover the benefits you lost as a result of default.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

FAQ

What is the deadline for the Fresh Start program?

Enrollment into the Fresh Start Program ends on September 30, 2024. Currently, the program will be inaccessible to student loan borrowers with defaulted loans after this date. Keep in mind that defaulted loans aren’t automatically enrolled in Fresh Start. If you have a qualifying student loan that’s in default, you must take action to request enrollment into the program.

Where can I find more information about the Fresh Start program?

Visit StudentAid.gov for more information and resources about the Fresh Start program. You can also contact your loan servicer to speak to a representative about your eligibility and enrollment into the initiative.

Can I still participate if I have multiple student loans?

Yes, if you have other federal student loans that are not in default, you can still participate in the Fresh Start student loan program for your qualifying defaulted student loans.

Photo credit: iStock/GaudiLab

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. We encourage you to evaluate all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.

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