Have you just received a salary offer and now wonder, “Is $75K a good salary for a single person?”
In many cases, that salary can offer a comfortable lifestyle and plenty of opportunities to save. But if you live in an expensive area or have a lot of debt, you may find that living on $75,000 a year requires more careful planning and budgeting.
Let’s take a closer look.
Is $75K a Year a Good Salary?
If you make $75,000 a year, you’re earning more than half of all workers in the U.S. And in fact, many people would probably consider the salary as good pay.
After all, a $75,000 salary works out to around $6,250 per month, $1,442.31 per week, or $36.06 an hour. This may easily cover your expenses — depending on your situation. If you live in a high-cost area, you may find that you’d be more comfortable earning more.
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Median Household Income in the US by State
When we talk about median household income, we’re referring to an income level that half of households earn more than and half earn less. As of 2022 — the most recent data available from the U.S. Census Bureau — the median annual salary in the U.S. is $74,580. Individuals may make more or less depending on where they live, their age, the type of work they do, and other factors. Here’s a look at the median household annual income in every state:
| State | Median Household Income |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $59,910 |
| Alaska | $89,740 |
| Arizona | $73,450 |
| Arkansas | $53,980 |
| California | $85,300 |
| Colorado | $89,930 |
| Connecticut | $90,730 |
| Delaware | $80,750 |
| Florida | $65,370 |
| Georgia | $67,730 |
| Hawaii | $91,010 |
| Idaho | $72,580 |
| Illinois | $78,020 |
| Indiana | $70,030 |
| Iowa | $76,320 |
| Kansas | $73,040 |
| Kentucky | $55,880 |
| Louisiana | $58,330 |
| Maine | $75,160 |
| Maryland | $108,200 |
| Massachusetts | $93,550 |
| Michigan | $68,990 |
| Minnesota | $90,390 |
| Mississippi | $48,610 |
| Missouri | $71,520 |
| Montana | $72,980 |
| Nebraska | $78,360 |
| Nevada | $72,330 |
| New Hampshire | $84,970 |
| New Jersey | $92,340 |
| New Mexico | $56,420 |
| New York | $75,910 |
| North Carolina | $65,070 |
| North Dakota | $78,720 |
| Ohio | $67,520 |
| Oklahoma | $63,440 |
| Oregon | $86,780 |
| Pennsylvania | $72,210 |
| Rhode Island | $80,650 |
| South Carolina | $61,770 |
| South Dakota | $67,180 |
| Tennessee | $65,380 |
| Texas | $74,640 |
| Utah | $95,800 |
| Vermont | $72,190 |
| Virginia | $85,170 |
| Washington | $89,430 |
| West Virginia | $52,460 |
| Wisconsin | $73,330 |
| Wyoming | $73,090 |
Related: Average US Salary by State
Average Cost of Living in the US by State in 2024
The cost of living is the amount of money needed to cover basic living expenses, such as housing, food, taxes, and health care. Here’s what you need to know about the average cost of living in the U.S. by state:
| State | Average Cost of Living |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $39,657 |
| Alaska | $54,331 |
| Arizona | $44,875 |
| Arkansas | $39,044 |
| California | $53,082 |
| Colorado | $53,374 |
| Connecticut | $55,803 |
| Delaware | $51,113 |
| Florida | $50,689 |
| Georgia | $43,482 |
| Hawaii | $49,155 |
| Idaho | $39,739 |
| Illinois | $49,558 |
| Indiana | $42,697 |
| Iowa | $41,758 |
| Kansas | $43,147 |
| Kentucky | $40,816 |
| Louisiana | $42,294 |
| Maine | $50,559 |
| Maryland | $48,650 |
| Massachusetts | $58,532 |
| Michigan | $45,591 |
| Minnesota | $48,615 |
| Mississippi | $36,445 |
| Missouri | $44,990 |
| Montana | $47,887 |
| Nebraska | $46,190 |
| Nevada | $44,831 |
| New Hampshire | $56,727 |
| New Jersey | $54,700 |
| New Mexico | $40,028 |
| New York | $53,255 |
| North Carolina | $43,959 |
| North Dakota | $48,182 |
| Ohio | $44,089 |
| Oklahoma | $38,650 |
| Oregon | $47,779 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,040 |
| Rhode Island | $46,909 |
| South Carolina | $43,305 |
| South Dakota | $47,740 |
| Tennessee | $42,469 |
| Texas | $45,114 |
| Utah | $42,653 |
| Vermont | $50,761 |
| Virginia | $48,249 |
| Washington | n/a |
| West Virginia | $41,153 |
| Wisconsin | $45,165 |
| Wyoming | $47,832 |
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis
Can You Live on $75K a Year?
While there’s an average pay in the U.S., there’s no one-size-fits-all salary needed for a single person to live comfortably. As the charts above show, $75,000 can go further in some areas than others. Regardless of what you make, it helps to understand how much money you’re taking home — and how much you’re spending — each month. Creating a budget and tracking all of your expenses can make it easier to keep tabs on your finances.
How Can You Budget for a $75K Salary?
There is no shortage of options when it comes to creating a budget. One of the most popular methods is the 50/30/20 budget. Essentially, this approach involves allocating:
• 50% of your after-tax dollars to necessities, including groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, insurance, child care expenses, minimum debt payments, and more.
• 30% to “wants,” such as going out to eat, gifts, travel, and entertainment.
• 20% on savings and additional debt payments (beyond the minimum payments).
Prefer something more straightforward? Consider a line-item budget, where you keep track of monthly expenditures so they don’t exceed spending targets. Another option: using an online budget planner to keep finances organized.
How Can You Maximize a $75K Salary?
Budgeting, putting every dollar you can into savings, and paying off debt can all help you get the most out of every paycheck. But those aren’t the only ways to maximize a $75,000 salary.
One strategy is to enroll in your company’s 401(k) plan. Some employers even offer matching contributions, meaning they’ll mirror your contribution to your retirement, often up to a certain percentage.
Another avenue to explore? Setting up autopay for recurring bills, which helps prevent missed payments and late fees. While you’re at it, you may also want to automate your savings so you don’t have to remember to move money between your accounts on payday.
What Kind of Quality of Life Can You Have With a $75K Salary?
Can you have a good quality of life with an annual salary of $75,000? For many people, the answer is yes. With that kind of income, you may find it easier to make ends meet and make progress toward your financial goals. But keep in mind that “quality of life” is subjective, and the amount needed to live comfortably can vary from person to person.
Recommended: 25 Highest-Paying Jobs in the U.S.
Is $75,000 a Year Considered Rich?
It depends on who you ask. A 2023 Bankrate survey showed that Americans do not feel rich with a salary of $75,000. Rather, respondents said they’d need to earn an average of $233,000 per year to feel financially secure and $483,000 per year to feel rich.
That said, a $75,000 salary can feel like a fortune to one person but not to the next. Whether you feel financially secure with that salary may also depend on your living expenses, whether you live within or below your means, and other factors.
Is $75K a Year Considered Middle Class?
There’s no single definition of “middle class.” According to the Pew Research Center, middle class households have an income that’s between two-thirds and twice the U.S. median household income of $70,784. (A $75,000 salary falls easily within this range.)
A 2023 Washington Post poll reported that Americans consider a $75,000 to $100,000 salary range as middle class. Respondents said being middle class involved such things as:
• Having a secure job
• Having health insurance
• Ability to save money for the future
• Affording an emergency $1,000 bill without incurring debt
• Ability to pay all bills on time
• Ability to retire comfortably
Recommended: What Is a Six-Figure Salary?
Examples of Jobs That Pay $75,000 a Year
There are plenty of jobs that pay $75,000 per year, and some don’t require a degree. Let’s take a look at examples of positions that typically pay $75,000 or more.
• Network administrator: Network administrators manage technical systems and networks.
• Broker: Brokers mediate sales processes, particularly in real estate.
• Quality assurance manager: Quality assurance managers establish quality standards, resolve concerns, and identify system and procedural needs.
• Junior software engineer: A junior software engineer assists in developing and deploying computer software.
• Dental hygienist: Dental hygienists perform cleanings, inspect teeth and gums, and educate patients on oral health.
• Radiation therapist: Radiation therapists run machinery, perform X-rays, counsel patients, and more.
• Clinical nurse: Clinical nurses work with patients and medications, and manage medical records.
The Takeaway
Is $75,000 a year a good salary for an individual in 2024? How about as an entry-level salary? In general, yes. A $75k salary is more than what half of U.S. workers earn, and depending on where you live and your expenses, may be more than enough to live comfortably.
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FAQ
Can I live comfortably making $75k a year?
Depending on your expenses, you should be able to comfortably make a $75,000 salary work in many areas of the country.
What can I afford with a $75k salary?
Many lenders use the 28/36 rule to help borrowers understand how much to use to repay a mortgage and other debts. Experts suggest spending no more than 28% of your income on housing expenses and no more than 36% on total debt payments. Consider using this rule as you make decisions about how large of a house to purchase or how much debt you’re willing to take on.
How much is $75k a year hourly?
A salary of $75,000 works out to $36.06 hourly.
How much is $75k a year monthly?
A salary of $75,000 is $6,250 per month.
How much is $75k a year daily?
A salary of $75,000 works out to $288.46 daily.
Photo credit: iStock/fizkes
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