This is how much money you must earn in NC to be in the middle class, new report shows
Half of American adults are considered middle class, but the share of workers with average incomes has gone down significantly in the last few decades.
The percentage of adults who live in middle-class households fell from 61% in 1971 to 50% in 2021, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of government data.
In 2022, an annual salary of $50,099 was considered the bottom threshold for the middle class, according to GOBankingRates.
But what does it take to be considered middle class in North Carolina?
A study from GOBankingRates found the range of income needed to earn a spot in the middle class in every state using data from the 2022 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau.
GOBankingRates defines middle class as those with an annual household income that is two-thirds to double the median income.
The NC middle class
Here’s how much you would need to earn to be considered middle class in North Carolina, according to GOBankingRates:
2022 middle-class income range: $44,124 to $132,372
2012 middle-class income range: $30,967 to $92,900
10-year change in middle-class income: 42.49%
Key findings
Mississippi has the lowest household income needed to be middle class. As of 2022, a $35,323 salary is considered middle class in the state.
Maryland has the highest household income needed to be middle class. As of 2022, $65,641 is the lowest household income that qualifies you to be considered middle class in the state.
The definition of the middle class has changed the least in Alaska. The household income needed to be middle class in Alaska has increased by just 23.53% from 2012 to 2022.
In Oregon, the household income needed to be middle class has increased by 53.15% from 2012 to 2022 — the biggest increase of any state.
Top 10 states
Below are the 10 states that had the biggest increases it what someone needs to earn to be considered middle class.
Oregon
- Middle class income range in 2022: $51,088 to $153,264
- Middle class income range in 2012: $33,357 to $100,072
- 10-year change in middle class income: 53.15%
Washington
- Middle class income range in 2022: $60,217 to $180,650
- Middle class income range in 2012: $39,583 to $118,748
- 10-year change in middle class income: 52.13%
Colorado
- Middle class income range in 2022: $58,399 to $175,196
- Middle class income range in 2012: $38,829 to $116,488
- 10-year change in middle class income: 50.40%
California
- Middle class income range in 2022: $61,270 to $183,810
- Middle class income range in 2012: $40,933 to $122,800
- 10-year change in middle class income: 49.68%
Idaho
- Middle class income range in 2022: $46,809 to $140,428
- Middle class income range in 2012: $31,343 to $94,030
- 10-year change in middle class income: 49.34%
Utah
- Middle class income range in 2022: $57,889 to $173,666
- Middle class income range in 2012: $38,776 to $116,328
- 10-year change in middle class income: 49.29%
Montana
- Middle class income range in 2022: $44,227 to $132,682
- Middle class income range in 2012: $30,304 to $90,912
- 10-year change in middle class income: 45.95%
Tennessee
- Middle class income range in 2022: $42,690 to $128,070
- Middle class income range in 2012: $29,427 to $88,280
- 10-year change in middle class income: 45.07%
Rhode Island
- Middle class income range in 2022: $54,247 to $162,740
- Middle class income range in 2012: $37,401 to $112,204
- 10-year change in middle class income: 45.04%
Massachusetts
- Middle class income range in 2022: $64,337 to $193,010
- Middle class income range in 2012: $44,439 to $133,316
- 10-year change in middle class income: 44.78%
A South Carolina-focused version of this story previously ran in The State newspaper.
This story was originally published May 21, 2024 at 8:00 AM with the headline "This is how much money you must earn in NC to be in the middle class, new report shows."
