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{{short description|Social class in the United States}}
]
]
:''See ] for a complete overview of the American middle classes.''
The ''']''' in the ] is a sociological concept referring to the ] constituted by higher-status members of the ]. This is in contrast to the term ] which refers to the group at the opposite end of the middle class scale. There is considerable debate as to how the upper middle class might be defined. According to ] the upper middle class consists of well-educated professionals with graduate degrees and comfortable incomes.


The ] is defined using ], ], occupation and the associated values as main indicators.<ref name="Society in Focus">{{Cite book| last = Thompson | first = William | authorlink = | coauthors = Joseph Hickey | year = 2005 | title = Society in Focus | publisher = Pearson | location = Boston, MA| id = 0-205-41365-X}}</ref> In the United States, the upper middle class is defined as consisting of white-collar professionals who have above-average ], advanced ]<ref name="Society in Focus"/> and a high degree of autonomy in their work, leading to higher job satisfaction.<ref name="Occupation and Class Consciousness in America">{{Cite book| last = Eichar | first = Douglas | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 1989 | title = Occupation and Class Consciousness in America | publisher = Greenwood Press | location = Westport, Connecticut | id = 0-313-26111-3}}</ref> The main occupational tasks of upper middle class individuals tend to center on conceptualizing, consulting, and instruction.<ref name="The Inner Life of the Middle Class">{{Cite book| last = Ehrenreich | first = Barbara | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 1989 | title = Fear of Falling, The Inner Life of the Middle Class In ], the '''upper middle class of the United States''' is the ] constituted by higher-status members of the ] in American society. This is in contrast to the term ], which refers to the group at the opposite end of the middle class scale. There is considerable debate as to how the upper middle class might be defined. According to ], the ] consists of well-educated professionals with graduate degrees and comfortable incomes.
The ] is defined using ], ], occupation and the associated values as main indicators.<ref name="Society in Focus">{{Cite book| last = Thompson | first = William |author2=Joseph Hickey | year = 2005 | title = Society in Focus | publisher = Pearson | location = Boston, MA| id = 0-205-41365-X}}</ref> In the United States, the upper middle class is defined as consisting of white-collar professionals who have above-average ], advanced ]<ref name="Society in Focus"/> and a high degree of autonomy in their work, leading to higher job satisfaction.<ref name="Occupation and Class Consciousness in America">{{Cite book| last = Eichar | first = Douglas | year = 1989 | title = Occupation and Class Consciousness in America | publisher = Greenwood Press | location = Westport, Connecticut | id = 0-313-26111-3}}</ref> The main occupational tasks of upper middle class individuals tend to center on conceptualizing, consulting, and instruction.<ref name="The Inner Life of the Middle Class">{{Cite book| last = Ehrenreich | first = Barbara | year = 1989 | title = Fear of Falling, The Inner Life of the Middle Class
| publisher = Harper Collins | location = New York, NY | id = 0-06-0973331}}</ref> | publisher = Harper Collins | location = New York, NY | id = 0-06-0973331}}</ref>


==Professions== ==Professions==
Certain professions can be categorized as "upper middle class" though any such measurement must be considered subjective because of people's differing perception of class. Most people in the upper-middle class strata are highly educated white collar ] such as ],<!-- "Physicians" includes Optometry and the like, no need to add all specialties --> ], ], ], ], ]s, ], ] ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] ], ], ], ], ], ], ] ]s, high-level ] and wealthy members of the ]. Other common professions include ], ], ], and ]. Generally, people in these professions have an advanced post-secondary education and a comfortable standard of living.<ref name="Society in Focus"/> Certain professions can be categorized as "upper middle class," though any such measurement must be considered subjective because of people's differing perception of class. Most people in the upper-middle class strata are highly educated white collar ] such as but not limited to ],<!-- "Physicians" includes Optometry and the like, no need to add all specialties --> ], ], ], ], ]s, ], ]s, ], supervisors and proprietors of sales jobs, ], ], ], ], ], ], ]s, ], high-level ] and the ]. <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2014/10/16/356176018/the-most-popular-jobs-for-the-rich-middle-class-and-poor |title=The Most Common Jobs For The Rich, Middle Class And Poor |website=npr.org |date=2014-10-16 |access-date=2024-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/packages/html/newsgraphics/2012/0115-one-percent-occupations/index.html |title=The Top 1 Percent: What Jobs Do They Have? |website=NYTimes.com |date=2012 |access-date=2024-10-16}}</ref>


==Values== ==Values==
Education is considered perhaps the most important part of middle-class childrearing as they prepare their children to be successful in school.<ref name="Kurtz, H. (29 March 2005). College Faculties A Most Liberal Lot, Study Finds. ''The Washington Post''.">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8427-2005Mar28.html|title=Kurtz, H. (29 March 2005). College Faculties A Most Liberal Lot, Study Finds. ''The Washington Post''.|access-date=July 2, 2007 | date=March 29, 2005}}</ref> Most people encompassing this station in life have a high regard for higher education, particularly towards ] colleges and other top tier schools throughout the United States. They probably, more than any other socio-economic class, strive for themselves and their children to obtain graduate or at least four-year undergraduate degrees, further reflecting the importance placed on education by middle-class families.<ref>{{cite book|last=Doob|first=Christopher B.|title=Social Inequality and Social Stratification in US Society|year=2013|publisher=Pearson|location=New Jersey|pages=157–167|chapter=The Badly Besieged Middle Class}}</ref> In 2005, 72% of full-time faculty members at four-year institutions, the majority of whom are upper middle class,<ref name="Society in Focus"/> identified as liberal.
Most people encompassing this station in life have a high regard for higher education, and probably more than any other socio-economic class strive for themselves and their children to obtain graduate or at least four-year undergraduate degrees.


The upper middle class is often the dominant group to shape society and bring ] to the forefront. Movements such as the ], the ] movement, the ], ], ], ], the ] movement, and even in the past with the ], ]s and the ] have been in large part, although not solely, products of the upper middle class. Some claim this is because this is the largest class (and the lowest class) with any true political power for positive change, while others claim some of the more restrictive social movements (such as with smoking and drinking) are based upon "saving people from themselves."<ref name="The Inner Life of the Middle Class"/>
Members of the upper middle class tend to place a high value on foreign travel, the arts, and ] in general. This value is in line with the emphasis placed on education as foreign travel increases one's understanding of other cultures and helps create a global perspective.

In the U.S. the upper middle class is rather divided in terms of political ideology. ] as well as ] are among the most prominent ideologies. Most ] households and college-educated professionals tend to be center-right or conservative on fiscal issues but moderate to center-left on social issues.<ref name="Arora, R. & Saad, L. (9 December 2004). Marketing to the Mass Affluent. ''Gallup Management Journal''.">{{Cite web|url=http://gmj.gallup.com/content/default.aspx?ci=14293|title=, R. & Saad, L. (9 December 2004). Marketing to the Mass Affluent. ''Gallup Management Journal''.|accessdate=2007-07-19}}</ref> A slight majority of college-educated professionals, who compose 15% of the population and 20% of the electorate, favor the ].<ref name="Judis, B. J. (11 July 2003). The trouble with Howard Dean. ''Salon.com''.">{{Cite web|url=http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2003/07/11/dean/index.html|title=Judis, B. J. (11 July 2003). The trouble with Howard Dean. ''Salon.com''.|accessdate=2007-07-19}}</ref> Among those with ], not all of whom are necessarily upper middle class,<ref name="The American Class Structure">{{Cite book| last = Gilbert | first = Dennis | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 1998 | title = The American Class Structure | publisher = Wadsworth Publishing | location = New York | id = 0-534-50520-1}}</ref> a slight majority favor the ]. ] and those with graduate degrees overall favor the Democratic Party.<ref name="CNN. (2004). Exit Poll.">{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/US/P/00/epolls.0.html|title=CNN. (2004). Exit Poll.|accessdate=2007-07-11}}</ref><ref name="CNN. (2006). Exit Poll.">{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/US/H/00/epolls.0.html|title=CNN. (2006). Exit Poll.|accessdate=2007-07-11}}</ref>
In 2005, 72% of full-time faculty members at four-year institutions, the majority of whom are upper middle class,<ref name="Society in Focus"/> identified as liberal.<ref name="Kurtz, H. (29 March 2005). College Faculties A Most Liberal Lot, Study Finds. ''The Washington Post''.">{{Cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8427-2005Mar28.html|title=Kurtz, H. (29 March 2005). College Faculties A Most Liberal Lot, Study Finds. ''The Washington Post''.|accessdate=2007-07-02 | date=2005-03-29}}</ref>

The upper middle class is often the group that shapes society and brings ] to the forefront. Movements such as the ], The ] Movement, ], the Anti-] movement, and even in the past with ]s and the ] are all products of the upper middle class. Some claim this is because this is the largest class (and the lowest class) with any true political power for positive change, while others claim some of the more restrictive social movements (such as with smoking and drinking) are based upon "saving people from themselves."<ref name="The Inner Life of the Middle Class"/>


==American upper middle class==<!-- This section is linked from ] --> ==American upper middle class==<!-- This section is linked from ] -->
:''See ] for a complete overview of the American middle classes.'' :''See ] for a complete overview of the American middle classes.''
] ]

]
In the United States the term ] and its subdivisions are an extremely vague concept as neither economists nor sociologists have precisely defined the term.<ref name="Middle class according to The Drum Major Institute for public policy">{{Cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/middleclassoverview.html|title=Middle class according to The Drum Major Institute for public policy|accessdate=2006-07-25}}</ref> There are several perceptions of the upper middle class and what the term means. In academic models the term applies to highly educated salaried professionals whose work is largely self-directed. Many have graduate degrees with educational attainment serving as the main distinguishing feature of this class. Household incomes commonly may exceed $100,000, with some smaller one-income earners household having incomes in the high 5-figure range.<ref name="Society in Focus"/><ref name="The American Class Structure"/> In the United States the term ] and its subdivisions are an extremely ambiguous concept as neither economists nor sociologists have precisely defined the term.<ref name="Middle class according to The Drum Major Institute for public policy">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/now/politics/middleclassoverview.html|title=Middle class according to The Drum Major Institute for public policy|website=] |access-date=July 25, 2006}}</ref> There are several perceptions of the upper middle class and what the term means. In academic models the term applies to highly educated salaried professionals whose work is largely self-directed. Many have graduate degrees with educational attainment serving as the main distinguishing feature of this class. Household incomes commonly exceed $100,000, with some smaller one-income earners household having incomes in the high 5-figure range.<ref name="Society in Focus"/><ref name="The American Class Structure">{{Cite book| last = Gilbert | first = Dennis | year = 1998 | title = The American Class Structure | publisher = Wadsworth Publishing | location = New York | id = 0-534-50520-1}}</ref>


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In addition to having autonomy in their work, above-average incomes, and advanced educations, the upper middle class also tends to be influential, setting trends and largely shaping public opinion.<ref name="The Inner Life of the Middle Class">{{Cite book| last = Ehrenreich | first = Barbara | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 1989 | title = Fear of Falling, The Inner Life of the Middle Class | publisher = Harper Collins | location = New York, NY | id = 0-06-0973331}}</ref><ref name="The American Class Structure"/> Overall, members of this class are also secure from economic down-turns and, unlike their counterparts in the ], do not need to fear downsizing, corporate cost-cutting, or outsourcing—an economic benefit largely attributable to their ] and ], likely in the ] or ].<ref name="Society in Focus"/> Typical professions for this class include ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, ], ]s and ]s.<ref name="The Inner Life of the Middle Class">{{Cite book| last = Ehrenreich | first = Barbara | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 1989 | title = Fear of Falling, The Inner Life of the Middle Class | publisher = Harper Collins | location = New York, NY | id = 0-06-0973331}}</ref><ref name="Professional Occupations according to the US Department of Labor">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco1002.htm|title=Professional Occupations according to the US Department of Labor|accessdate=2006-07-26}}</ref> In addition to having autonomy in their work, above-average incomes, and advanced educations, the upper middle class also tends to be influential, setting trends and largely shaping public opinion.<ref name="The Inner Life of the Middle Class"/><ref name="The American Class Structure"/> Overall, members of this class are also secure from economic down-turns and, unlike their counterparts in the ], do not need to fear downsizing, corporate cost-cutting, or outsourcing—an economic benefit largely attributable to their ] and ], likely in the ] or ].<ref name="Society in Focus"/> Typical professions for this class include ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, and ]s.<ref name="The Inner Life of the Middle Class"/><ref name="Professional Occupations according to the US Department of Labor">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco1002.htm|title=Professional Occupations according to the US Department of Labor|access-date=July 26, 2006}}</ref>


===Income=== ==Income==
{{See|Affluence in the United States|Household income in the United States|Personal income in the United States}} {{Further|Affluence in the United States|Household income in the United States|Personal income in the United States}}
]
While many Americans see ] as the prime determinant of class, occupational status, ], and value systems are equally important. Income is in part determined by the scarcity of certain skill sets.<ref name="Society in Focus"/> As a result an occupation that requires a scarce skill, the attainment of which is often achieved through an ], and entrusts its occupant with a high degree of influence will usually offer high economic compensation. The high ] is meant to ensure that individuals obtain the necessary skills (e.g. medical or graduate school) and complete their tasks with the necessary valor.<ref name="Social Class and Stratification">{{Cite book| last = Levine | first = Rhonda | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 1998 | title = Social Class and Stratification
While many Americans see ] as the prime determinant of class, occupational status, ], and value systems are equally important. Income is in part determined by the ] of certain skill sets.<ref name="Society in Focus"/> As a result, an occupation that requires a scarce skill, the attainment of which is often achieved through an ], and entrusts its occupant with a high degree of influence will usually offer high economic compensation.<ref name="Social Class and Stratification">{{Cite book| last = Levine | first = Rhonda | year = 1998 | title = Social Class and Stratification
| publisher = Rowman & Littlefield | location = Lanham, MD | id = 0-8476-8543-8}}</ref> There are also differences between ] and ]. In 2005, 42% of US households (76% among the ]) had two or more ]s; as a result, 18% of households but only 5% of individuals had ]s.<ref name="US Census Bureau, income quintile and top 5% household income distribution and demographic characteristics, 2006">{{Cite web|url=http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032006/hhinc/new05_000.htm|title=US Census Bureau, income quintile and top 5% ] and demographic characteristics, 2006|accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref> To illustrate, two nurses each making $55,000 per year can out-earn, in a household sense, a single attorney who makes a median of $95,000 annually.<ref name="US Department of Labor, median income of registered nurses">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm#earnings|title=US Department of Labor, median income of registered nurses|accessdate=2007-01-02}}</ref><ref name="Bureau of Labor statistics data published by Monster.com, 20 highest paying jobs">{{Cite web|url=http://content.salary.monster.com/articles/salary/highestpay/|title=Bureau of Labor statistics data published by Monster.com, 20 highest paying jobs|accessdate=2006-12-27}}</ref>
| publisher = Rowman & Littlefield | location = Lanham, MD | id = 0-8476-8543-8}}</ref> There are also differences between ] and ].


Sociologists ], Willam Thompson and Joseph Hickey estimate the upper middle class to constitute roughly 15% of the population.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://dqydj.com/household-income-percentile-calculator/|title=Household Income Percentile Calculator, US |date=2019-10-08|website=DQYDJ|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-16}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://dqydj.com/net-worth-percentile-calculator-united-states/|title=Net Worth Percentile Calculator – United States (and Average)|date=2017-10-02|website=DQYDJ|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-16}}</ref>
Sociologists Dennis Gilbert, Willam Thompson and Joseph Hickey estimate the upper middle class to constitute roughly 15% of the population. Using the 15% figure one may conclude that the American upper middle class consists, strictly in an income sense, of professionals with ] in excess of $62,500, who commonly reside in households with six figure incomes.<ref name="Society in Focus"/><ref name="The American Class Structure"/><ref name="US Census Bureau, income quintile and top 5% household income distribution and demographic characteristics, 2006">{{Cite web|url=http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032006/hhinc/new05_000.htm|title=US Census Bureau, income quintile and top 5% ] and demographic characteristics, 2006|accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref><ref name="US Census Bureau, distribution of personal income, 2006">{{Cite web|url=http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032006/perinc/new01_001.htm|title=US Census Bureau, distribution of personal income, 2006|accessdate=2006-12-09}}</ref> The difference between personal and household income can be explained by considering that 76% of households with incomes exceeding $90,000 (the top 20%) had two or more income earners.<ref name="US Census Bureau, income quintile and top 5% household income distribution and demographic characteristics, 2006"/>


===Distribution of household income in 2022 according to US Census data===
{| class=wikitable

!Data
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right; margin-right:61px"
!Top third
|+ US Census Bureau figures for 2022
!Top quarter
! Income of Household
!Top quintile
! Number (thousands) <ref name="hinc06">{{cite web|publisher=US Census Bureau|title=Income Distribution to $250,000 or More for Households: 2022|access-date=2023-09-22|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/tables/hinc-06/2023/hinc06.xlsx}}</ref>
!Top 15%
! Percent in Group
!Top 10%
! Percent At or Below
!Top 5%
! Mean Income <ref name="hinc06"/>
! Mean number of earners <ref name="hinc01_2022">{{cite web|publisher=US Census Bureau|title=Selected Characteristics of Households, by Total Money Income in 2022|access-date=2023-09-22|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/tables/hinc-01/2023/hinc01_1.xlsx}}</ref>
! Mean size of household <ref name="hinc01_2022"/>
|- |-
! Total
!colspan=10|]<ref name="US Census Bureau, overall household income distribution, 2006">{{Cite web|url=http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032006/hhinc/new06_000.htm|title=US Census Bureau, overall household income distribution, 2006|accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref>
| 131,400 || — || — || $106,400 || 1.30 || 2.51
|- |-
! Under $5,000
|Lower threshold (annual gross income)||$65,000||$80,000||$91,705||$100,000||$118,200||$166,200
| 4,305 || 3.28 || 3.28 || $877 || 0.13 || 1.89
|- |-
! $5,000 to $9,999
|Exact Percentage of households ||34.72%||25.60%||20.00%||17.80%||10.00%||5.00%
| 2,131 || 1.62 || 4.90 || $7,626 || 0.41 || 1.75
|- |-
! $10,000 to $14,999
!colspan=10|] (age 25+)<ref name="US Census Bureau, personal income distribution, age 25+, 2006">{{Cite web|url=http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032006/perinc/new03_001.htm|title=US Census Bureau, personal income distribution, age 25+, 2006|accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref>
| 4,536 || 3.45 || 8.35 || $12,440 || 0.27 || 1.54
|- |-
! $15,000 to $19,999
|Lower threshold (annual gross income)||$37,500||$47,500||$52,500||$62,500||$75,000||$100,000
| 4,725 || 3.60 || 11.95 || $17,350 || 0.37 || 1.62
|- |-
! $20,000 to $24,999
|Exact Percentage of individuals||33.55%||24.03%||19.74%||14.47%||10.29%||5.63%
| 5,047 || 3.84 || 15.79 || $22,250 || 0.51 || 1.76
|- |-
! $25,000 to $29,999
| 4,728 || 3.60 || 19.39 || $27,210 || 0.59 || 1.95
|-
! $30,000 to $34,999
| 5,285 || 4.02 || 23.41 || $32,000 || 0.75 || 2.03
|-
! $35,000 to $39,999
| 4,674 || 3.56 || 26.96 || $37,080 || 0.82 || 2.11
|-
! $40,000 to $44,999
| 4,761 || 3.62 || 30.59 || $41,960 || 0.89 || 2.17
|-
! $45,000 to $49,999
| 4,453 || 3.39 || 33.98 || $47,130 || 0.98 || 2.23
|-
! $50,000 to $54,999
| 4,838 || 3.68 || 37.66 || $51,880 || 1.06 || 2.27
|-
! $55,000 to $59,999
| 4,252 || 3.24 || 40.89 || $57,030 || 1.10 || 2.31
|-
! $60,000 to $64,999
| 4,463 || 3.40 || 44.29 || $61,880 || 1.19 || 2.40
|-
! $65,000 to $69,999
| 3,867 || 2.94 || 47.23 || $67,100 || 1.26 || 2.46
|-
! $70,000 to $74,999
| 3,904 || 2.97 || 50.20 || $71,990 || 1.30 || 2.51
|-
! $75,000 to $79,999
| 3,669 || 2.79 || 53.00 || $76,970 || 1.41 || 2.50
|-
! $80,000 to $84,999
| 3,505 || 2.67 || 55.66 || $81,950 || 1.43 || 2.61
|-
! $85,000 to $89,999
| 3,061 || 2.33 || 57.99 || $87,090 || 1.50 || 2.68
|-
! $90,000 to $94,999
| 3,132 || 2.38 || 60.38 || $91,930 || 1.54 || 2.69
|-
! $95,000 to $99,999
| 2,838 || 2.16 || 62.54 || $97,140 || 1.60 || 2.77
|-
! $100,000 to $104,999
| 3,312 || 2.52 || 65.06 || $101,800 || 1.59 || 2.66
|-
! $105,000 to $109,999
| 2,321 || 1.77 || 66.82 || $107,100 || 1.67 || 2.89
|-
! $110,000 to $114,999
| 2,462 || 1.87 || 68.70 || $112,000 || 1.78 || 3.02
|-
! $115,000 to $119,999
| 2,188 || 1.67 || 70.36 || $117,100 || 1.81 || 2.89
|-
! $120,000 to $124,999
| 2,421 || 1.84 || 72.21 || $121,800 || 1.71 || 2.90
|-
! $125,000 to $129,999
| 2,086 || 1.59 || 73.79 || $127,100 || 1.80 || 2.99
|-
! $130,000 to $134,999
| 1,996 || 1.52 || 75.31 || $132,000 || 1.87 || 3.07
|-
! $135,000 to $139,999
| 1,730 || 1.32 || 76.63 || $137,000 || 1.82 || 3.01
|-
! $140,000 to $144,999
| 1,680 || 1.28 || 77.91 || $141,900 || 1.92 || 3.05
|-
! $145,000 to $149,999
| 1,375 || 1.05 || 78.95 || $147,200 || 2.00 || 2.95
|-
! $150,000 to $154,999
| 2,005 || 1.53 || 80.48 || $151,900 || 1.84 || 2.91
|-
! $155,000 to $159,999
| 1,389 || 1.06 || 81.54 || $157,000 || 1.99 || 3.06
|-
! $160,000 to $164,999
| 1,461 || 1.11 || 82.65 || $162,000 || 1.89 || 2.90
|-
! $165,000 to $169,999
| 1,131 || 0.86 || 83.51 || $167,100 || 2.06 || 3.14
|-
! $170,000 to $174,999
| 1,144 || 0.87 || 84.38 || $172,100 || 2.02 || 3.25
|-
! $175,000 to $179,999
| 1,043 || 0.79 || 85.17 || $177,100 || 2.07 || 3.22
|-
! $180,000 to $184,999
| 1,106 || 0.84 || 86.02 || $182,100 || 2.07 || 3.26
|-
! $185,000 to $189,999
| 921 || 0.70 || 86.72 || $187,100 || 2.14 || 3.12
|-
! $190,000 to $194,999
| 940 || 0.72 || 87.43 || $192,100 || 2.16 || 3.36
|-
! $195,000 to $199,999
| 889 || 0.68 || 88.11 || $197,200 || 2.08 || 3.26
|-
! $200,000 to $249,999
| 6,024 || 4.58 || 92.69 || $221,100 || rowspan=2|2.11 || rowspan=2|3.24
|-
! $250,000 and over
| 9,636 || 7.33 || 100.00 || $426,600
|} |}
'''SOURCE: US Census Bureau, 2006'''<ref name="US Census Bureau, overall household income distribution, 2006">{{Cite web|url=http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032006/hhinc/new06_000.htm|title=US Census Bureau, overall household income distribution, 2006|accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref><ref name="US Census Bureau, personal income distribution, age 25+, 2006">{{Cite web|url=http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032006/perinc/new03_001.htm|title=US Census Bureau, personal income distribution, age 25+, 2006|accessdate=2006-12-28}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
*] * ]
*] * ]
*] * ]


===US-specific=== ===US-specific===
*] * ]
*] * ]
*] * ]
* ]
*] * ]
*] * ]
* ]
*] * ]


==References== ==References==
<references /> <references />
*
*


==Further reading==
{{Socialclass}}
*{{cite book|last1=Reeves|first1=Richard V.|author-link=Richard Reeves (British author)|title=Dream Hoarders: How the American Upper Middle Class Is Leaving Everyone Else in the Dust, Why That Is a Problem, and What to Do about It|date=2017|publisher=Brookings Institution Press|location=Washington, D.C.|isbn=9780815729129|oclc=992511514}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2010}}


==External links==
{{DEFAULTSORT:Upper Middle Class In The United States}}
* by Trevor Beltz, May 2012
]
*
]
*

{{Socialclass}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Upper Middle Class in the United States}}
]
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Latest revision as of 16:54, 11 December 2024

Social class in the United States
Higher educational attainment in the US corresponds with median household wealth.

In sociology, the upper middle class of the United States is the social group constituted by higher-status members of the middle class in American society. This is in contrast to the term lower middle class, which refers to the group at the opposite end of the middle class scale. There is considerable debate as to how the upper middle class might be defined. According to Max Weber, the upper middle class consists of well-educated professionals with graduate degrees and comfortable incomes.

The American upper middle class is defined using income, education, occupation and the associated values as main indicators. In the United States, the upper middle class is defined as consisting of white-collar professionals who have above-average personal incomes, advanced educational degrees and a high degree of autonomy in their work, leading to higher job satisfaction. The main occupational tasks of upper middle class individuals tend to center on conceptualizing, consulting, and instruction.

Professions

Certain professions can be categorized as "upper middle class," though any such measurement must be considered subjective because of people's differing perception of class. Most people in the upper-middle class strata are highly educated white collar professionals such as but not limited to physicians, dentists, lawyers, military officers, economists, business analysts, urban planners, university professors, architects, supervisors and proprietors of sales jobs, psychologists, scientists, managers, accountants, engineers, actuaries, statisticians, pharmacists, high-level civil servants and the intelligentsia.

Values

Education is considered perhaps the most important part of middle-class childrearing as they prepare their children to be successful in school. Most people encompassing this station in life have a high regard for higher education, particularly towards Ivy League colleges and other top tier schools throughout the United States. They probably, more than any other socio-economic class, strive for themselves and their children to obtain graduate or at least four-year undergraduate degrees, further reflecting the importance placed on education by middle-class families. In 2005, 72% of full-time faculty members at four-year institutions, the majority of whom are upper middle class, identified as liberal.

The upper middle class is often the dominant group to shape society and bring social movements to the forefront. Movements such as the Peace Movement, the anti-nuclear movement, the civil rights movement, feminism, LGBT rights, environmentalism, the anti-smoking movement, and even in the past with the 1960s counterculture, Blue laws and the Temperance movement have been in large part, although not solely, products of the upper middle class. Some claim this is because this is the largest class (and the lowest class) with any true political power for positive change, while others claim some of the more restrictive social movements (such as with smoking and drinking) are based upon "saving people from themselves."

American upper middle class

See American professional/Managerial middle class for a complete overview of the American middle classes.
Advanced education is one of the most distinguishing features of the upper middle class.

In the United States the term middle class and its subdivisions are an extremely ambiguous concept as neither economists nor sociologists have precisely defined the term. There are several perceptions of the upper middle class and what the term means. In academic models the term applies to highly educated salaried professionals whose work is largely self-directed. Many have graduate degrees with educational attainment serving as the main distinguishing feature of this class. Household incomes commonly exceed $100,000, with some smaller one-income earners household having incomes in the high 5-figure range.

"The upper middle class has grown...and its composition has changed. Increasingly salaried managers and professionals have replaced individual business owners and independent professionals. The key to the success of the upper middle class is the growing importance of educational certification...its lifestyles and opinions are becoming increasingly normative for the whole society. It is in fact a porous class, open to people...who earn the right credentials. "- Dennis Gilbert, The American Class Structure, 1998.

In addition to having autonomy in their work, above-average incomes, and advanced educations, the upper middle class also tends to be influential, setting trends and largely shaping public opinion. Overall, members of this class are also secure from economic down-turns and, unlike their counterparts in the statistical middle class, do not need to fear downsizing, corporate cost-cutting, or outsourcing—an economic benefit largely attributable to their graduate degrees and comfortable incomes, likely in the top income quintile or top third. Typical professions for this class include psychologists, professors, accountants, architects, urban planners, engineers, economists, pharmacists, executive assistants, physicians, optometrists, dentists, and lawyers.

Income

Further information: Affluence in the United States, Household income in the United States, and Personal income in the United States
Median U.S. household income per County in 2021, showing the distribution of income geographically in the United States

While many Americans see income as the prime determinant of class, occupational status, educational attainment, and value systems are equally important. Income is in part determined by the scarcity of certain skill sets. As a result, an occupation that requires a scarce skill, the attainment of which is often achieved through an educational degree, and entrusts its occupant with a high degree of influence will usually offer high economic compensation. There are also differences between household and individual income.

Sociologists Dennis Gilbert (sociologist), Willam Thompson and Joseph Hickey estimate the upper middle class to constitute roughly 15% of the population.

Distribution of household income in 2022 according to US Census data

US Census Bureau figures for 2022
Income of Household Number (thousands) Percent in Group Percent At or Below Mean Income Mean number of earners Mean size of household
Total 131,400 — — $106,400 1.30 2.51
Under $5,000 4,305 3.28 3.28 $877 0.13 1.89
$5,000 to $9,999 2,131 1.62 4.90 $7,626 0.41 1.75
$10,000 to $14,999 4,536 3.45 8.35 $12,440 0.27 1.54
$15,000 to $19,999 4,725 3.60 11.95 $17,350 0.37 1.62
$20,000 to $24,999 5,047 3.84 15.79 $22,250 0.51 1.76
$25,000 to $29,999 4,728 3.60 19.39 $27,210 0.59 1.95
$30,000 to $34,999 5,285 4.02 23.41 $32,000 0.75 2.03
$35,000 to $39,999 4,674 3.56 26.96 $37,080 0.82 2.11
$40,000 to $44,999 4,761 3.62 30.59 $41,960 0.89 2.17
$45,000 to $49,999 4,453 3.39 33.98 $47,130 0.98 2.23
$50,000 to $54,999 4,838 3.68 37.66 $51,880 1.06 2.27
$55,000 to $59,999 4,252 3.24 40.89 $57,030 1.10 2.31
$60,000 to $64,999 4,463 3.40 44.29 $61,880 1.19 2.40
$65,000 to $69,999 3,867 2.94 47.23 $67,100 1.26 2.46
$70,000 to $74,999 3,904 2.97 50.20 $71,990 1.30 2.51
$75,000 to $79,999 3,669 2.79 53.00 $76,970 1.41 2.50
$80,000 to $84,999 3,505 2.67 55.66 $81,950 1.43 2.61
$85,000 to $89,999 3,061 2.33 57.99 $87,090 1.50 2.68
$90,000 to $94,999 3,132 2.38 60.38 $91,930 1.54 2.69
$95,000 to $99,999 2,838 2.16 62.54 $97,140 1.60 2.77
$100,000 to $104,999 3,312 2.52 65.06 $101,800 1.59 2.66
$105,000 to $109,999 2,321 1.77 66.82 $107,100 1.67 2.89
$110,000 to $114,999 2,462 1.87 68.70 $112,000 1.78 3.02
$115,000 to $119,999 2,188 1.67 70.36 $117,100 1.81 2.89
$120,000 to $124,999 2,421 1.84 72.21 $121,800 1.71 2.90
$125,000 to $129,999 2,086 1.59 73.79 $127,100 1.80 2.99
$130,000 to $134,999 1,996 1.52 75.31 $132,000 1.87 3.07
$135,000 to $139,999 1,730 1.32 76.63 $137,000 1.82 3.01
$140,000 to $144,999 1,680 1.28 77.91 $141,900 1.92 3.05
$145,000 to $149,999 1,375 1.05 78.95 $147,200 2.00 2.95
$150,000 to $154,999 2,005 1.53 80.48 $151,900 1.84 2.91
$155,000 to $159,999 1,389 1.06 81.54 $157,000 1.99 3.06
$160,000 to $164,999 1,461 1.11 82.65 $162,000 1.89 2.90
$165,000 to $169,999 1,131 0.86 83.51 $167,100 2.06 3.14
$170,000 to $174,999 1,144 0.87 84.38 $172,100 2.02 3.25
$175,000 to $179,999 1,043 0.79 85.17 $177,100 2.07 3.22
$180,000 to $184,999 1,106 0.84 86.02 $182,100 2.07 3.26
$185,000 to $189,999 921 0.70 86.72 $187,100 2.14 3.12
$190,000 to $194,999 940 0.72 87.43 $192,100 2.16 3.36
$195,000 to $199,999 889 0.68 88.11 $197,200 2.08 3.26
$200,000 to $249,999 6,024 4.58 92.69 $221,100 2.11 3.24
$250,000 and over 9,636 7.33 100.00 $426,600

See also

US-specific

References

  1. Sullivan, Brianna; Hays, Donald; Bennett, Neil (June 2023). "The Wealth of Households: 2021 / Current Population Reports / P70BR-183" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 5 (Figure 2). Archived (PDF) from the original on May 24, 2024.
  2. ^ Thompson, William; Joseph Hickey (2005). Society in Focus. Boston, MA: Pearson. 0-205-41365-X.
  3. Eichar, Douglas (1989). Occupation and Class Consciousness in America. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. 0-313-26111-3.
  4. ^ Ehrenreich, Barbara (1989). Fear of Falling, The Inner Life of the Middle Class. New York, NY: Harper Collins. 0-06-0973331.
  5. "The Most Common Jobs For The Rich, Middle Class And Poor". npr.org. October 16, 2014. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  6. "The Top 1 Percent: What Jobs Do They Have?". NYTimes.com. 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  7. "Kurtz, H. (29 March 2005). College Faculties A Most Liberal Lot, Study Finds. The Washington Post". March 29, 2005. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
  8. Doob, Christopher B. (2013). "The Badly Besieged Middle Class". Social Inequality and Social Stratification in US Society. New Jersey: Pearson. pp. 157–167.
  9. "Middle class according to The Drum Major Institute for public policy". PBS. Retrieved July 25, 2006.
  10. ^ Gilbert, Dennis (1998). The American Class Structure. New York: Wadsworth Publishing. 0-534-50520-1.
  11. "Professional Occupations according to the US Department of Labor". Retrieved July 26, 2006.
  12. Levine, Rhonda (1998). Social Class and Stratification. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. 0-8476-8543-8.
  13. "Household Income Percentile Calculator, US [2019]". DQYDJ. October 8, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  14. "Net Worth Percentile Calculator – United States (and Average)". DQYDJ. October 2, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  15. ^ "Income Distribution to $250,000 or More for Households: 2022". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  16. ^ "Selected Characteristics of Households, by Total Money Income in 2022". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 22, 2023.

Further reading

  • Reeves, Richard V. (2017). Dream Hoarders: How the American Upper Middle Class Is Leaving Everyone Else in the Dust, Why That Is a Problem, and What to Do about It. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press. ISBN 9780815729129. OCLC 992511514.

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