AnswerAt age 38 with $25k income, the median US net worth is $8,500. The 75th percentile is $48,000. You can see where you rank below.
Median: $8,500 · 75th percentile: $48,000
Source: Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, 2022 data (released Sept 2023)
Am I behind at age 38 on $25k?
Median net worth for US households age 38 earning $25k is $8,500; top 10% starts at $160,000. Sourced from the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances.
Households at 38 earning $25K share the same $8,500 SCF median as the 35-year-old cohort, but three additional years of high-rent compounding often pushes the bottom quartile deeper into negative territory. The window before the 40-milestone narrows the room to recover from setbacks like medical events.
Your numbers
Used to pick your SCF age bracket (35 to 44).
Your SCF income tier: $25,000 – $50,000. Use gross household income, not take-home.
Total assets minus total liabilities. Negative values are allowed.
- 25th percentile
- $4,500
- Median (50th)
- $54,000
- 75th percentile
- $180,000
- Top 10% (90th)
- $420,000
- Top 1% (99th)
- $1,550,000
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, $25k
Long-term low-wage workers at 38 typically have 16-20 years of work history, enough to accumulate full Social Security work credits but rarely enough to build meaningful retirement assets. The SSA estimates the average 40-year-old in this income tier carries a projected Social Security benefit of $1,200-$1,400 monthly at full retirement age, which functions as the primary retirement asset.
Caregivers who left careers in their late twenties to support aging parents or disabled family members often face the steepest catch-up math at 38. Each year out of the workforce reduces both current income and the lifetime Social Security average earnings calculation. Returning to even part-time W-2 work before 40 preserves the higher-earning years that anchor the benefit formula.
The p75 figure of $48K at this age more frequently includes a paid-off vehicle and a small Roth IRA balance from a brief period of higher income earlier in life. The path from p50 to p75 by 40 typically requires either an inheritance, a partner with stable income joining the household, or a structured transition into a higher-paying field.
Benchmarks for age 38, $25k
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: 27th.
Related views
Go deeper on this number
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicaid eligibility change between 35 and 38 at this income?
Medicaid expansion thresholds remain at 138% of federal poverty level in expansion states, which is $20,783 single or $35,632 for a family of three in 2024. Income at $25K typically exceeds this for individuals but fits comfortably for households with two or more dependents.
Is it too late to start a Roth IRA at 38 making 25K?
Even $50/month at 7% real return for 27 years to age 65 produces roughly $48K in tax-free retirement assets. Combined with Saver's Credit refunds during the contribution years, the effective return exceeds typical market assumptions and represents meaningful supplemental Social Security income.
How does the EITC interact with retirement savings at this age?
The Earned Income Tax Credit phases out as income rises, meaning incremental wage gains can reduce net household income. Pre-tax 401(k) contributions reduce AGI and can preserve or expand EITC eligibility, sometimes producing an effective marginal benefit of 30-40% on contributions.
Should gig workers at 38 consider transitioning to W-2?
W-2 employment with employer-paid Medicare and Social Security taxes (rather than self-employment doubling) effectively raises take-home by 7.65%. Plus, employer-sponsored health insurance, 401(k) match, and disability coverage typically add another 15-20% in benefits not visible in stated salary.
What does Section 8 housing look like for this household?
Housing Choice Vouchers cap rent at 30% of adjusted income, freeing significant cash flow for debt reduction or savings. Waitlists in major metros often run 5-10 years, but smaller MSAs frequently have shorter timelines. Voucher portability across counties is preserved once received.
Does ABLE account eligibility apply to households with disability?
ABLE accounts allow up to $18,000 annual contributions with disability onset before 26 (rising to 46 in 2026 under SECURE 2.0). Balances under $100K do not affect SSI eligibility, making these the primary tax-advantaged vehicle for this population.
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.