Median and average net worth by age
These figures come from the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, the most detailed survey of American household wealth. It's run every three years, and the 2022 results are the latest available. Ages refer to the head of the family.
| Age | Median | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | $39,000 | $183,500 |
| 35–44 | $135,600 | $549,600 |
| 45–54 | $247,200 | $975,800 |
| 55–64 | $364,500 | $1,566,900 |
| 65–74 | $409,900 | $1,794,600 |
| 75+ | $335,600 | $1,624,100 |
| All families | $192,900 | $1,063,700 |
Why the median is the number to watch
The average is four to five times the median in every age group. That's because a small number of very wealthy families pull the average up. The median is the family right in the middle, so it's a much fairer picture of "normal." If you're near the median for your age, you're doing about as well as the typical American family.
Net worth also tends to climb until the mid-60s, then dip as people spend savings in retirement. Most of the growth comes from two things: paying down a mortgage and steady retirement saving. Time does a lot of the heavy lifting, which you can see with our compound interest calculator.
Where the percentiles fall
Across all U.S. families in 2022, the 25th percentile of net worth was about $27,100, the median $192,900, the 75th percentile $658,900 and the 90th percentile $1.94 million. The ranking above estimates your spot between those published points, so treat it as a rough guide.