You'll need to clear $330,000 in household income to be considered part of the top 5% of earners in the U.S., according to a .

But in 12 states, the bar is much higher. In these places, the average income for top-earning households exceeds $500,000 a year.

To determine how much income is needed to reach the top 5% in each state, GOBankingRates analyzed the most recent Census data from 2023. Each state was ranked by the average income of its top 5% of households.

Connecticut ranks highest with an average top 5% income of $637,673 — more than seven times the state's median household income, according to the study. California, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey also rank near the top, each with average top 5% incomes over $600,000.

According to the analysis, the average income among the top 5% of households exceeds $500,000 in the following states:

• Connecticut: $637,673
• California: $619,938
• Massachusetts: $619,385
• New York: $619,178
• New Jersey: $616,334
• Washington: $573,110
• Colorado: $535,056
• Virginia: $534,776
• Maryland: $522,117
• Illinois: $514,347
• New Hampshire: $510,730
• Hawaii: $505,977

At the other end of the list, the average income of the top 5% is lowest in West Virginia, at just over $380,000 — still well above the state's median of $57,917, but only about two-thirds of what top earners make in high-income states like Connecticut or California.

Here's a look at the top 5% income threshold and median income for each state, in alphabetical order:

Alabama

• Average household income for top 5%: $388,183
• Median household income: $62,027

Alaska

• Average household income for top 5%: $477,622
• Median household income: $89,336

Arizona

• Average household income for top 5%: $461,017
• Median household income: $76,872

Arkansas

• Average household income for top 5%: $364,124
• Median household income: $58,773

California

• Average household income for top 5%: $619,938
• Median household income: $96,334

Colorado

• Average household income for top 5%: $535,056
• Median household income: $92,470

Connecticut

• Average household income for top 5%: $637,673
• Median household income: $93,760

Delaware

• Average Household Income for Top 5%: $477,949
• Median household income: $82,855

Florida

• Average household income for top 5%: $499,872
• Median household income: $71,711

Georgia

• Average household income for top 5%: $467,103
• Median household income: $74,664

Hawaii

• Average household income for top 5%: $505,977
• Median household income: $98,317

Idaho

• Average household income for top 5%: $418,188
• Median household income: $74,636

Illinois

• Average household income for top 5%: $514,347
• Median household income: $81,702

Indiana

• Average household income for top 5%: $393,813
• Median household income: $70,051

Iowa

• Average household income for top 5%: $400,534
• Median household income: $73,147

Kansas

• Average household income for top 5%: $398,469
• Median household income: $72,639

Kentucky

• Average household income for top 5%: $372,886
• Median household income: $62,417

Louisiana

• Average household income for top 5%: $389,605
• Median household income: $60,023

Maine

• Average household income for top 5%: $415,677
• Median household income: $71,773

Maryland

• Average household income for top 5%: $522,117
• Median household income: $101,652

Massachusetts

• Average household income for top 5%: $619,385
• Median household income: $101,341

Michigan

• Average household income for top 5%: $409,636
• Median household income: $71,149

Minnesota

• Average household income for top 5%: $496,581
• Median household income: $87,556

Mississippi

• Average household income for top 5%: $344,395
• Median household income: $54,915

Missouri

• Average household income for top 5%: $410,472
• Median household income: $68,920

Montana

• Average household income for top 5%: $420,968
• Median household income: $69,922

Nebraska

• Average household income for top 5%: $471,960
• Median household income: $74,985

Nevada

• Average household income for top 5%: $460,558
• Median household income: $75,561

New Hampshire

• Average household income for top 5%: $510,730
• Median household income: $95,628

New Jersey

• Average household income for top 5%: $616,334
• Median household income: $101,050

New Mexico

• Average household income for top 5%: $378,797
• Median household income: $62,125

New York

• Average household income for top 5%: $619,178
• Median household income: $84,578

North Carolina

• Average household income for top 5%: $443,291
• Median household income: $69,904

North Dakota

• Average household income for top 5%: $399,162
• Median household income: $75,949

Ohio

• Average household income for top 5%: $417,374
• Median household income: $69,680

Oklahoma

• Average household income for top 5%: $392,351
• Median household income: $63,603

Oregon

• Average household income for top 5%: $464,386
• Median household income: $80,426

Pennsylvania

• Average household income for top 5%: $468,603
• Median household income: $76,081

Rhode Island

• Average household income for top 5%: $489,811
• Median household income: $86,372

South Carolina

• Average household income for top 5%: $419,871
• Median household income: $66,818

South Dakota

• Average household income for top 5%: $452,480
• Median household income: $72,421

Tennessee

• Average household income for top 5%: $435,495
• Median household income: $67,097

Texas

• Average household income for top 5%: $494,328
• Median household income: $76,292

Utah

• Average household income for top 5%: $468,606
• Median household income: $91,750

Vermont

• Average household income for top 5%: $453,461
• Median household income: $78,024

Virginia

• Average household income for top 5%: $534,776
• Median household income: $90,974

Washington

• Average household income for top 5%: $573,110
• Median household income: $94,952

West Virginia

• Average household income for top 5%: $330,270
• Median household income: $57,917

Wisconsin

• Average household income for top 5%: $418,095
• Median household income: $75,670

Wyoming

• Average household income for top 5%: $400,071
• Median household income: $74,815

Want to boost your confidence, income and career success? Take one (or more!) of , which aim to teach you the critical skills you need to succeed that you didn't learn in school. Topics include , , , and . Use coupon code MEMORIAL to purchase any course at a discount of 30% off the regular course price (plus tax). Offer valid from 12:00 am Eastern Time ("ET") on May 19, 2025, through 11:59 pm ET on June 2, 2025. .

Plus, sign up for C온라인카지노사이트 Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life, and  to connect with experts and peers.