Average Net Worth Under 35 — Where Do You Rank?
The median net worth for Americans under 35 is $39,000 according to the Federal Reserve 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances. Most people in this age group are building their financial base — student debt, first jobs, and early home ownership define the range. The top 25% has crossed $138,000.
Net worth by percentile — ages Under 35
| Percentile | Net worth | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $-3K | Top 90% |
| 25th | $10K | Top 75% |
| 50th Median | $39K | Top 50% |
| 75th | $138K | Top 25% |
| 90th | $375K | Top 10% |
| 95th | $600K | Top 5% |
| 99th | $1.2M | Top 1% |
Source: Federal Reserve 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances. Published October 2023. Methodology
Key finding
Reaching $138,000 net worth before 35 puts you in the top 25% of your age group. That number compounds significantly over the next 30 years.
Calculate your percentile — ages Under 35
Your age bracket is pre-selected. Enter your net worth to see your exact rank.
Total assets (home equity, investments, retirement, savings) minus total debts (mortgage, loans, credit cards). Negative values are fine.
Net worth by age group
Frequently asked questions — ages Under 35
What is the average net worth for someone under 35?
The median (50th percentile) net worth for Americans under 35 is $39,000 according to the Federal Reserve 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances. The mean is higher at around $183,000, heavily skewed by high earners. The median is the more useful benchmark — it represents the midpoint where half of Americans under 35 have more and half have less.
Is $100,000 net worth good at 30?
Yes. $100,000 net worth puts you in approximately the 65th to 70th percentile for Americans under 35, meaning you have more net worth than 65-70% of people in your age group. The 75th percentile threshold is $138,000. At 30, $100K represents a strong financial foundation, especially if it includes retirement account contributions that compound over the next 35 years.
What is a realistic net worth goal for someone under 35?
The 75th percentile benchmark for under-35 is $138,000. A practical rule of thumb: aim to have roughly 1-2x your annual salary saved by age 35. If you earn $80,000, targeting $80,000-$160,000 in net worth (across home equity, retirement accounts, and savings) by 35 is a reasonable goal. The exact number matters less than having consistent savings habits and minimizing high-interest debt.
Why is the median net worth so low for people under 35?
Three factors dominate: student debt, low starting salaries, and early-stage homeownership. The average student loan balance for borrowers under 35 is over $30,000. Most people in this range graduated within the last decade, have only recently started maximizing retirement contributions, and may not have built significant home equity yet. Negative net worth is common — about 10% of Americans under 35 have a net worth below -$3,000.
About this data
All percentile data is sourced from the Federal Reserve 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), published October 2023. The SCF is the authoritative source for US household wealth data, conducted every three years. Net worth for ages Under 35 uses household-level data where the reference person falls in the Under 35 age range. The median net worth for this group is $39K. Full methodology →