Understanding your net worth relative to peers your age can be a useful calibration tool — but only if the data is used thoughtfully.
The Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), conducted every three years, provides the most comprehensive and widely cited source of U.S. household wealth data.
The 2022 SCF (published in 2023) is the most recent available as of 2026.
This guide presents net worth percentile estimates by age group drawn from that data, explains how to interpret where you fall, and discusses why percentile comparisons have real limitations when used as financial benchmarks.
For additional context on the median and mean figures underlying these percentile tables, see our companion guide on average net worth by age.
Net Worth Percentile Tables by Age Group (2022 SCF Data)
The following estimates are derived from the 2022 Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances. All figures are approximate and represent household (family unit) net worth in 2022 dollars. Individual results vary significantly based on income, debt, savings rate, geography, and other factors.
Under Age 35
| Percentile | Approximate Net Worth (2022) |
|---|---|
| 25th percentile | ~$7,800 |
| 50th percentile (median) | ~$39,040 |
| 75th percentile | ~$132,000 |
| 90th percentile | ~$344,000 |
The wide spread in this age group reflects diverse starting points: recent graduates carrying student loan debt, young professionals building early savings, and some individuals who have received inheritances or started businesses.
A net worth below the median at this age is common and does not necessarily indicate poor financial management.
Building strong savings habits — including reaching your emergency fund target and maximizing retirement contributions — are the most controllable factors at this stage.
Ages 35–44
| Percentile | Approximate Net Worth (2022) |
|---|---|
| 25th percentile | ~$35,000 |
| 50th percentile (median) | ~$135,600 |
| 75th percentile | ~$450,000 |
| 90th percentile | ~$1,000,000+ |
This decade typically sees the largest proportional gains for households that began saving and investing early.
Home equity and retirement account growth often accelerate, particularly for homeowners in rising real estate markets.
The 90th percentile crossing the million-dollar threshold reflects early retirement savings combined with asset appreciation and the long-term effects of compound interest.
Ages 45–54
| Percentile | Approximate Net Worth (2022) |
|---|---|
| 25th percentile | ~$60,000 |
| 50th percentile (median) | ~$247,200 |
| 75th percentile | ~$850,000 |
| 90th percentile | ~$2,000,000+ |
The 45–54 cohort spans peak earning years for many professionals. Those who began investing in their 20s and 30s are beginning to see the compounding effect at scale. Median net worth roughly doubles from the 35–44 group, driven largely by Roth IRA and IRA growth and continued mortgage paydown.
Ages 55–64
| Percentile | Approximate Net Worth (2022) |
|---|---|
| 25th percentile | ~$88,000 |
| 50th percentile (median) | ~$364,270 |
| 75th percentile | ~$1,200,000 |
| 90th percentile | ~$2,500,000+ |
This is the final full decade before traditional retirement age and typically represents peak net worth accumulation.
Households at or above the 75th percentile may be in a strong position for retirement, depending on their expected expenses and Social Security income.
Those at or below the 25th percentile may face retirement income shortfalls and may benefit most from a comprehensive retirement savings plan with professional guidance.
How Net Worth Is Measured in the SCF
The Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances measures household net worth as total assets minus total liabilities at the time of the survey.
The SCF samples roughly 6,000 households every three years and uses an oversample of high-wealth households to improve estimates at the top of the distribution.
Assets included in the SCF measure:
- Primary residence and other real estate (at market value)
- Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, pension cash value)
- Business equity
- Financial assets (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, CDs, savings accounts)
- Vehicles and other tangible assets
Liabilities included:
- Mortgage and home equity debt
- Student loans
- Auto loans
- Credit card balances
- Other installment debt
Note: The SCF measures family net worth (household unit), not individual net worth. A dual-income household is represented as a single data point, which affects how figures translate to individual comparisons.
Why Percentile Comparisons Have Limits
Knowing your percentile can be informative, but several factors make direct comparisons unreliable as financial benchmarks:
Regional Cost of Living Differences
A household in San Francisco with $500,000 in net worth — mostly home equity in a market where homes cost $1 million — may face a tighter retirement outlook than a household in rural Ohio with $300,000 in net worth and a paid-off home worth $150,000.
National percentile data does not reflect these regional differences.
According to Census Bureau wealth data, geographic variation in wealth is substantial.
Career Timing and Student Debt
A physician who finishes medical training at 30 with $300,000 in student debt has a very different net worth trajectory than a nurse with 8 years of savings at the same age, even if their long-term financial outcomes are similar.
Comparing raw net worth across different career stages and educational paths can be misleading.
Household Composition
A single-person household and a two-income household with children both count as one data point in the SCF.
A couple with a combined $300,000 net worth is represented identically to a single person with $300,000.
Per-capita wealth considerations matter for personal planning even though the published data does not make this distinction.
Income vs. Wealth
High income does not automatically translate to high net worth.
A high-earning household with significant lifestyle expenses, high debt, and minimal savings may rank lower on the wealth percentile scale than a moderate-income household with consistent saving habits.
The SCF data measures accumulated wealth, not current earnings.
How to Use This Data Constructively
Rather than using percentile rankings as a source of anxiety or false reassurance, consider using this data as one calibration point among several. Practical applications include:
- Identifying gaps: If you are significantly below the median for your age group, understanding the drivers — high debt, low savings rate, late start — can help you prioritize changes. Comparing against savings benchmarks by age can add additional context.
- Retirement readiness check: Financial planners often benchmark retirement readiness by age. Those approaching 55–64 who fall below the 25th percentile may want to model their projected retirement income carefully. Reviewing 401(k) milestones by age is one useful checkpoint for earlier stages.
- Understanding trajectory: The percentage increase between age groups is as informative as the absolute numbers. Tracking your own net worth growth rate over time is often more actionable than a single point comparison.
Net worth percentile data is a useful reference, not a scorecard. Factors within your control — savings rate, debt management, investment consistency — matter far more over the long run than where you rank at any given moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the net worth data in the SCF adjusted for inflation?
The figures in the 2022 SCF are reported in 2022 dollars.
When the Federal Reserve publishes comparisons across survey years, they typically adjust for inflation.
The 2022 figures are not directly comparable to older SCF data in nominal terms; use inflation-adjusted comparisons when tracking changes over time.
Check the Federal Reserve's SCF publications for inflation-adjusted tables.
Does net worth include Social Security or pension income?
Defined benefit pension cash values are partially reflected in the SCF, but future Social Security benefits are generally not counted as net worth in standard definitions.
This means individuals with strong Social Security entitlements or defined benefit pensions may have lower measured net worth but better actual retirement security than the numbers suggest.
For a full retirement picture, Social Security projected benefits should be evaluated alongside net worth.
What is a "good" net worth at age 40?
There is no universal answer.
A commonly cited rule of thumb suggests having roughly twice your annual salary saved for retirement by age 40, but this depends heavily on when you plan to retire, your expected expenses, and any other income sources.
The SCF data shows a median of approximately $135,600 for the 35–44 age group as of 2022, but this reflects the full range of circumstances — it is a benchmark, not a target.
How often is the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances updated?
The SCF is conducted every three years. The 2022 data was published in 2023 and is the most recent as of 2026. The next wave will cover 2025 and is expected to be published around 2026–2027.
Check the Federal Reserve's SCF main page for the latest available release.
What factors most strongly predict where someone falls in the net worth distribution?
The SCF and related academic research consistently find that savings rate, educational attainment, homeownership, retirement account participation, and inheritance are among the strongest predictors of wealth accumulation.
Income is important but not deterministic — high-income households with high expenses and debt can rank lower than moderate-income households with disciplined savings habits.
Sources & References
- Federal Reserve — Survey of Consumer Finances (Main Page) — https://www.federalreserve.gov/econres/scfindex.htm
- Federal Reserve — Survey of Consumer Finances 2022 Report — https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/scf23.pdf
- U.S. Census Bureau — Wealth, Asset Ownership, and Debt — https://www.census.gov/topics/income-poverty/wealth.html
Last updated: April 27, 2026