AnswerAt age 38 with $150k income, the median US net worth is $420,000. The 75th percentile is $980,000. You can see where you rank below.
Median: $420,000 · 75th percentile: $980,000
Source: Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, 2022 data (released Sept 2023)
Am I behind at age 38 on $150k?
Median net worth for US households age 38 earning $150k is $420,000; top 10% starts at $1,950,000. Sourced from the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances.
Compared to 30-year-olds at the same income, 38-year-old finance VPs and tech managers at $150K typically show a $420K SCF median that already exceeds the 3x-by-40 benchmark of $450K when accounting for upcoming compounding. The narrative often shifts from accumulation pace to optimization quality.
Your numbers
Used to pick your SCF age bracket (35 to 44).
Your SCF income tier: $100,000 – $200,000. Use gross household income, not take-home.
Total assets minus total liabilities. Negative values are allowed.
- 25th percentile
- $95,000
- Median (50th)
- $420,000
- 75th percentile
- $980,000
- Top 10% (90th)
- $1,950,000
- Top 1% (99th)
- $6,100,000
Your ranking
How this number is calculated
We look up your age and income in the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances (the most recent SCF, released Sept 2023), then interpolate your position between published 25th/50th/75th/90th/99th percentile breakpoints for that age×income cell. Figures are nominal 2022 USD. Households with similar age and income show meaningful net-worth variance — the percentile reflects how your balance sheet compares to theirs, not to the full US population.
What these numbers mean for age 38, $150k
By 38, the typical household at this income has accumulated 12-15 years of professional earnings and is approaching what the BLS labels the highest-earning years (45-54). The pre-peak window is when most households make their largest single investment decision: trading up from a starter property or refinancing into a forever home, often locking in a 20% down payment on a $700K-$1M property.
A corporate lawyer at 38 making counsel typically holds $300K-$500K in retirement accounts, $200K-$300K in home equity from a 2018-2021 purchase, and significant taxable brokerage from year-end bonuses. The shift from cash bonuses to deferred compensation arrangements at this level introduces NQDC (non-qualified deferred comp) considerations that didn't exist at 30.
Households with two children typically face peak competing-priorities pressure between 35 and 42: full-day daycare for one, kindergarten and aftercare for another, 529 contributions to make, mortgage to service, and 401(k) to max. The $420K median masks wide variance based on whether the household has prioritized retirement or college savings during this squeeze.
Benchmarks for age 38, $150k
Source: Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, 2022 (released September 2023). Figures in 2022 USD. Your seeded percentile if net worth equals the median for this cell: 50th.
Related views
Go deeper on this number
Frequently asked questions
Should a tech manager at 38 take RSUs or cash bonus?
RSUs at vesting equal cash compensation taxed at ordinary rates, then exposed to single-stock concentration risk. The default optimization is selling at vest and reinvesting in a diversified portfolio. Choosing cash bonus over RSU when the option exists is rarely worse and often better.
Is non-qualified deferred comp worth using at this income?
NQDC plans defer income beyond the 401(k) limit but carry employer credit risk; in bankruptcy, deferred amounts join general unsecured creditors. Households typically only use NQDC after maxing 401(k) and taxable brokerage, and limit deferrals to amounts they could lose entirely without disrupting retirement plans.
How does a second-year fellowship surgeon compare to peers?
Surgical subspecialty fellows typically earn $80K-$120K during fellowship, far below this cell. Within 3-5 years post-fellowship, attending compensation reaches $400K-$700K, allowing the household to surpass age-matched tech managers in accumulated assets by 45-48 despite the late start.
Does a $1M term life policy still cover the household at 38?
Coverage adequacy depends on remaining mortgage, college funding goals, and surviving spouse's earning capacity. A common reassessment at 38 considers laddering: a 15-year $500K policy plus a 30-year $1M policy provides higher coverage during peak need at lower total premium than a single $1.5M policy.
When should an umbrella policy increase from $1M to $2M?
Net worth crossing $1M, recreational property ownership, teen drivers approaching license age, or pool/trampoline ownership all push the recommended umbrella limit higher. The marginal cost from $1M to $2M is typically $100-$200 annually, which is small relative to the additional coverage.
Is an estate plan necessary at 38 with kids?
Households with minor children require at minimum a will naming guardians, plus revocable trust to avoid probate on real estate. The additional complexity of a financial power of attorney and healthcare directive typically costs $1,500-$3,000 in attorney fees and prevents significant complications in the event of incapacity.
Methodology & data sources
Calculations on this page use published benchmarks from US federal statistical agencies. Percentile breakpoints are interpolated linearly between published cells. Figures are in current-year USD unless noted. Numbers are educational estimates, not personalized financial advice.