Salaries by job in the United States 2026: gross and net
Typical monthly pay for the main kinds of job, before and after tax and social security, from official earnings data.
Typical gross pay a month in 2026 for the main kinds of job, from the lowest-paid to the highest-paid. Your own salary and situation: in the calculator below.
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Pay by kind of job in the United States 2026
Pay differs most by the kind of work. The table shows the typical gross pay a month of each main group of the international ISCO classification, and what is left after income tax and social security.
Typical pay a month by kind of job
| Kind of job | Gross a month | Net a month | Compared with all |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managers | $9,033 | $6,487 | +69% |
| Professionals: engineers, doctors, teachers, IT specialists, lawyers | $7,949 | $5,839 | +49% |
| Technicians and associate professionals | $5,461 | $4,331 | +2% |
| Skilled trades: construction, electricians, mechanics | $5,162 | $4,116 | −3% |
| Machine operators, assemblers and drivers | $4,751 | $3,816 | −11% |
| Office and administrative staff | $4,533 | $3,656 | −15% |
| Elementary jobs: cleaners, helpers, labourers | $3,716 | $3,055 | −30% |
| Farming, forestry and fishing | $3,614 | $2,979 | −32% |
| Service and sales: shops, restaurants, care, security | $3,305 | $2,747 | −38% |
| All employees (median) | $5,339 | $4,244 | 0% |
Typical gross pay: the 2026 national median, $5,339 a month, times how much each group earns compared with all employees (median monthly earnings, ILOSTAT, 2025). Net pay: single, aged 35, no children, 12 salaries a year. Pay varies widely inside each group by experience, sector and region.
Frequently asked questions
Which jobs pay the most in the United States?
Managers: typically $9,033 gross a month, $6,487 net.
Which jobs pay the least in the United States?
Service and sales: typically $3,305 gross a month, $2,747 net.
Rules and official sources: see “Rules applied (2026)” in the calculator. Last checked: October 2026. Estimates for information, not financial advice.
Other questions about pay in the United States: What is my hourly wage? · What do I take home part-time? · How much unemployment benefit would I get? · When can I retire? · What is my money worth after inflation?
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