What Is a Good Salary in 2025?
Quick Answer
A good salary in 2025 depends heavily on where you live. As a general benchmark, earning above the national median individual income of around $60,000 puts you ahead of most Americans. A salary of $75,000-$85,000 provides comfortable single living in most mid-cost areas, while $100,000+ is needed in expensive metros. What matters most is your take-home pay after taxes and how far it goes in your local area.
National Salary Benchmarks (2025)
| Benchmark | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal minimum wage (annual) | $15,080 |
| Median individual income | ~$60,000 |
| Mean (average) individual income | ~$72,000 |
| Top 25% of earners | $85,000+ |
| Top 10% of earners | $130,000+ |
| Top 5% of earners | $180,000+ |
If you earn $75,000, you are earning more than roughly 60% of American workers. At $100,000, you surpass about 75% of earners.
Good Salary by City
What counts as "good" varies enormously by location:
| City | Good Salary (Single) | Why |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $110,000+ | Rent averages $3,000+, high state tax |
| New York City | $100,000+ | High rent + state + city tax |
| Los Angeles | $90,000+ | High rent + CA taxes |
| Austin, TX | $75,000+ | Growing costs but no state tax |
| Denver | $80,000+ | Rising housing, moderate state tax |
| Raleigh, NC | $65,000+ | Lower cost of living, flat state tax |
| Dallas, TX | $70,000+ | Moderate costs, no state tax |
| Minneapolis | $75,000+ | Good economy but cold + state tax |
Real Example: $80,000 in Different States
Here is how far $80,000 goes in different locations, based on take-home pay and local costs:
| Location | Take-Home Pay | Avg 1BR Rent | After Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | $62,900 | $1,600/mo | $43,700 |
| Tampa, FL | $62,900 | $1,500/mo | $44,900 |
| Denver, CO | $59,400 | $1,700/mo | $39,000 |
| Portland, OR | $56,300 | $1,650/mo | $36,500 |
| NYC | $54,200 | $3,200/mo | $15,800 |
The same salary provides vastly different lifestyles. In Austin, $80,000 leaves $43,700 after rent for everything else. In NYC, you are left with just $15,800. Check your own numbers with the SalaryHog calculator and rent affordability tool.
How to Evaluate Your Salary
Rather than comparing to a national average, consider:
- Take-home pay in your state: Use the SalaryHog calculator to see what you actually keep
- Cost of living: Compare against cost of living in your area
- Industry benchmarks: A "good" salary for a teacher differs from one for a software engineer
- Total compensation: Your salary may be $70,000 but total comp including benefits could be $90,000+
- Rent affordability: Can you afford rent at 30% of take-home pay?
State Tax Impact on "Good" Salary
A $90,000 salary has different value depending on state taxes:
| State | State Tax | Take-Home | Monthly Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $0 | ~$70,600 | ~$5,883 |
| Florida | $0 | ~$70,600 | ~$5,883 |
| Colorado | ~$3,960 | ~$66,640 | ~$5,553 |
| California | ~$4,200 | ~$66,400 | ~$5,533 |
| New York | ~$4,700 | ~$65,900 | ~$5,492 |
The $4,700 difference between Texas and New York is like getting a $390/month raise just for living in a different state. Use the relocation tool to compare options.
Negotiation Tips
If your salary feels below "good" for your area, consider negotiating. Research market rates for your role, document your contributions, and present a data-backed case. Even a $5,000 raise makes a meaningful difference in your monthly take-home pay. See salary negotiation tips for strategies that work.