Quick Summary
How net worth percentiles work, where the data comes from, and what the actual numbers look like by age group - from the 25th percentile to the 90th, based on Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances data.
Percentile calculators are popular for a reason. Knowing where you fall compared to others your age provides context that a raw number alone cannot.
The Net Worth Percentile Calculator shows your ranking instantly based on Federal Reserve data. No signup required.
How Percentiles Work
A percentile is not a grade. Being at the 40th percentile does not mean you are failing - it means 40% of people in your age group have a lower net worth than you.
- 25th percentile - one in four people have less
- 50th percentile (median) - the exact middle
- 75th percentile - only one in four have more
- 90th percentile - top 10% of your age group
Net Worth by Age Group
Data from the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF). These figures represent household net worth in the United States.
| Age Group | 25th Percentile | Median (50th) | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | $1,000 | $39,000 | $166,000 | $430,000 |
| 35 - 44 | $17,000 | $135,600 | $436,000 | $1,050,000 |
| 45 - 54 | $32,000 | $247,200 | $740,000 | $1,780,000 |
| 55 - 64 | $55,000 | $364,500 | $1,060,000 | $2,580,000 |
| 65 - 74 | $83,000 | $409,900 | $1,170,000 | $2,780,000 |
| 75+ | $56,000 | $335,600 | $950,000 | $2,180,000 |
A few things stand out. The jump between the 50th and 75th percentile is large in every age group. And net worth peaks in the 65-74 bracket before declining as retirees draw down assets.
Why Median Matters More Than Average
| Age Group | 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 |
The average is 3-4x higher than the median in every bracket. That gap exists because a small number of ultra-wealthy households skew the average upward. The median reflects what a typical household actually looks like.
Comparing yourself to the average is comparing yourself to a number inflated by billionaires. The median is the more honest benchmark.
How to Calculate Your Net Worth
Net worth is straightforward: assets minus liabilities.
Assets include:
- Bank accounts (checking, savings)
- Investment accounts (brokerage, 401k, IRA, Roth)
- Real estate (market value)
- Vehicles (current value, not purchase price)
- Other assets (business equity, crypto, valuable property)
Liabilities include:
- Mortgage balance
- Student loans
- Auto loans
- Credit card debt
- Other debts (personal loans, medical debt)
The Net Worth Calculator walks through each category. Once you have your total, the Net Worth Percentile Calculator shows where it falls for your age.
What Your Percentile Does and Does Not Tell You
It provides context. A net worth of $200,000 means something very different at 28 than at 58. Percentiles add that context.
It does not account for cost of living. $300,000 in net worth goes much further in rural Tennessee than in San Francisco. The data is national.
It is a snapshot, not a trajectory. Someone at the 40th percentile with a high savings rate and no debt is in a fundamentally different position than someone at the 60th percentile with a house they are struggling to afford.
It can become an unhealthy obsession. Useful as an occasional check-in. Less useful as a daily fixation. Financial progress is better measured against your own goals than against strangers.
The Data Source
The Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances is conducted every three years. It surveys roughly 6,500 families and is widely considered the most comprehensive source of U.S. household wealth data. The most recent survey available is from 2022, with the next expected in 2025.
Worth noting: the data is partly self-reported, which means some inaccuracy is inevitable. It also covers only U.S. households - international comparisons require different data sources.