Salary Intelligence
Salaries in United States by profession
National median, after-tax net, and purchasing power for 38 professions in United States — anchored to a primary-sourced median wage (2023 data).
What is a good salary in United States?
Key facts
- National median: ~$59,540 gross ~$50,020 after tax (2023 data, 84% kept).
- Highest-paying role: CTO / Technology Director ~$177,238/yr net for a mid-level cto / technology director.
- Purchasing power the median net is worth ~$50,020 in PPP-equivalent (US price) terms.
- 38 professions estimated each = the national median × the role's skill premium, netted via the tax engine.
National median (2023)
$59,540 gross · $50,020 after tax · $50,020 PPP-equivalent. Source & methodology
Estimated pay by profession in United States
By take-home, the highest pay in United States is estimated for a 🏢 cto / technology director — $177,238 net after tax (4× the local median).
| Profession | Est. gross | Est. net |
|---|---|---|
| CTO / Technology Director | $239,200 | $177,238 |
| Doctor (Physician) | $230,000 | $170,982 |
| Senior Software Engineer | $175,000 | $130,878 |
| Dentist | $170,000 | $127,461 |
| Engineering Manager | $167,740 | $125,916 |
| AI Engineer | $165,000 | $124,043 |
| Product Manager | $140,000 | $106,956 |
| Data Engineer | $135,980 | $104,209 |
| Pharmacist | $135,000 | $103,538 |
| Software Engineer | $133,080 | $102,226 |
| Cloud Engineer | $130,390 | $100,387 |
| DevOps Engineer | $130,000 | $100,121 |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $124,910 | $96,642 |
| Management Consultant | $120,000 | $93,250 |
| Data Scientist | $112,590 | $88,037 |
| Sales Manager | $110,000 | $86,215 |
| General Manager | $102,950 | $81,255 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,320 | $80,813 |
| Marketing Manager | $100,000 | $79,180 |
| Project Manager | $100,000 | $79,180 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,590 | $78,891 |
| UX Designer | $95,000 | $75,662 |
| Operations Manager | $95,000 | $75,662 |
| Physiotherapist | $95,000 | $75,662 |
| Business Analyst | $90,000 | $72,145 |
| HR Manager | $90,000 | $72,145 |
| Finance Analyst | $85,000 | $68,627 |
| University Lecturer | $83,980 | $67,910 |
| Remote Freelancer | $75,000 | $61,592 |
| Content Writer | $72,270 | $59,672 |
| Accountant | $70,000 | $58,075 |
| Hospitality Manager | $68,130 | $56,759 |
| Nurse | $65,000 | $54,407 |
| Teacher | $64,580 | $54,070 |
| Plumber | $62,970 | $52,777 |
| Electrician | $62,350 | $52,278 |
| Graphic Designer | $61,300 | $51,435 |
| Chef | $60,990 | $51,185 |
“vs median” = estimated gross ÷ United States's national median gross. Tap a role for the full country-by-country ranking. Regulated professions (medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, teaching) require local credential recognition before you can practise.
United States salary estimates · Source: United States national median wage (national statistical office / Eurostat, 2023) + WhereNext tax engine · Last verified Jun 22, 2026
Modelled estimate, not survey data. Each profession figure is the country's national median wage scaled by the role's skill premium — a directional model, not a per-role salary survey. Singapore is the exception: its figures are the Ministry of Manpower's June 2025 occupational medians. It is for a mid-level professional and varies widely by employer, seniority, bonus, equity, contract type and tax regime. Net is modelled via WhereNext's tax engine and is not tax or employment advice — verify with an employer or qualified advisor before making decisions.
Where the money goes: CTO / Technology Director in United States
Gross pay erodes to take-home after tax, then adjusts for local prices — a mid-level estimate, every step sourced.
Updated · National medians (Eurostat / national stats) · US BLS OEWS May 2024 · World Bank ICP 2021 (PPP)
- Gross$239,200
- Income tax−$61,962
- Net (after tax)$177,238
- Local prices+$0
- Real value$177,238
Keep rate 74% · net $177,238 · real value $177,238 (your money goes further here)
| Step | USD/yr | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | $239,200 | Estimated gross for the role. |
| − Income tax & social | −$61,962 | Resident tax brackets; you keep 74%. |
| Net (after tax) | $177,238 | Take-home in nominal USD. |
| + Local prices (PPP) | +$0 | Cheaper than the US — your net buys more. |
| Real value (PPP-equiv. net) | $177,238 | What the net is worth in US price terms. |
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United States salary questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good salary in United States?▾
The national median is about $59,540 gross (~$50,020 after tax) for 2023. A "good" salary is typically well above the median — many skilled professions here estimate above $124,067 net. Cost of living matters as much as the headline number.
Which jobs pay the most in United States?▾
Among the roles modelled, the highest after-tax pay in United States is estimated for cto / technology director, doctor (physician), senior software engineer. These are directional estimates — actual pay varies by employer, seniority and sector.
Does WhereNext estimate net salary after tax in United States?▾
Yes. Net figures are computed with WhereNext's tax engine using United States's domestic resident income tax brackets and social contributions — not expat regimes. Verify your own situation with a qualified advisor.
How reliable are these United States salary figures?▾
The national median is primary-sourced (national statistical office / Eurostat, 2023 data). Per-profession figures are a model — the national median × the role's skill premium, not a per-role salary survey — so treat them as a planning guide, not a quote.