Average Salary Information for U.S. Workers

 what is the average salary

How much is the average U.S. worker's salary? Salaries vary based on gender, education, occupation, industry, geographical location, ethnicity, and other factors. Learn more information about salaries in a variety of categories and calculators to use to determine the salary for specific occupations.

Average Salary Information for U.S. Workers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median wage for workers in the United States in the first quarter of 2020 was $957 per week or $49,764 per year (assuming 52 weeks of work per year). Wages were 5.7% higher than a year earlier.

What's considered a good salary in one job or metro area may not be in another. For example, workers in professional, management, and related occupations earned the highest pay. In these jobs, men earned a median annual salary of $80,912, while women earned a median annual salary of $59,176. However, in service occupations, men earned a median annual salary of $34,632, while women earned a median annual salary of $29,068.1

Jobs in large metropolitan cities, which have higher costs of living, also tend to pay more than jobs in more rural and suburban areas.

Salary also varies by factors such as gender, education, and more.

Average Salaries for U.S. Men and Women

The BLS reports that, in the first quarter of 2020, men earned a median annual salary of $55,432, while women made a median annual salary of $44,564, or 80.4% of men’s earnings.

Average Salary by Race

Race and ethnicity also play a role in salaries for men and women. For example, White women earned 79.7% as much as their male counterparts, compared with 90.2% for Black women.

However, Black men made a median annual salary of $42,796, which is only 75.1% of what White men earned ($56,992). The difference for women was a bit less; Black women’s median annual earnings were 85% ($38,584) of White women’s median annual earnings ($45,396).The BLS also provides information on Hispanic and Asian wage earners, who earned a median annual salary of $37,544 and $63,492, respectively.

Average Salary by Age

Salaries also varied by age, but men and women had different earnings peaks. For example, men aged 45 to 54 had the highest median annual salary ($64,740). Women, on the other hand, earned the highest annual wages between ages 35 and 44 ($48,984).

Average Salary Based on Education

The BLS data clearly reveals that completing more education pays off. Workers aged 25 and over without a high school degree had median annual earnings of $31,668 over the first quarter of 2020 compared to $39,936 for high school graduates without a college degree. College graduates with at least a bachelor's degree earned a median salary of $72,020 annually.

What Is the Average A+ Salary by City?

 how much does someone with a a+ certification earn

What Is the Average A+ Salary?

While A+ certification is an entry-level credential, you’ll find salaries vary greatly depending on a number of different factors. Among those factors are years of experience, the city where you’re employed, the actual job role you fill and even your gender. The average salary for a man with A+ certification ranges from $38,248 to $74,186. However, a woman with A+ certification has an average salary from $38,965 to $68,228. A+ certification holders are primarily male – only 7% of those with A+ certification are women.

 What Is the Average A+ Salary by City?

The potential salary for an A+ certificate holder will vary significantly depending on where you live. For instance, in New York City, you might earn between $39,873 and $77,949. However, in Dallas, Texas, you might earn between $39,005 and $81,867. In Chicago, you have the potential to earn $40,960 and $74,000, while A+ certificate holders in Washington, DC, might earn between $48,011 and $104,506. Finally, those living and working in Seattle, Washington, might earn between $43,505 and $81,811.

how much can you make with an it certification

 how much can you make with an it certification

You’ve no doubt heard that certifications can boost your salary. And to a large extent, that’s true: For example, Foote Partners LLC has conducted annual studies that show certain certifications in security and systems administration can boost their holders’ market value by roughly a third within a period of six months.

But does that mean every tech pro should spend enormous amounts of time, money, and sweat to earn certifications? According to the Dice Salary Survey, some 47 percent of tech pros have a certification. But another 24 percent said that a certification wasn’t needed for their role, and 29 percent said they didn’t have one for other reasons (for example, a portion said their company refused to pay for one).

Over the years, various pundits have argued against certifications. Some say that software evolves at a rapid pace, quickly rendering technology platforms obsolete. Others question the time and cost relative to the benefits of actually possessing certain kinds of certifications. Still others think the testing around certifications only shows that people can do tests—not that they can respond to the variable, often weird situations that tech pros encounter on a regular basis.

“Recruiters sometimes have trouble determining a developer’s degree of technical experience, and so insist upon certificates or tests to judge abilities,” Dice writer David Bolton wrote in an article about the worthiness of certs. “If you manage to get past them to the job interview, the interviewer (provided they’re also a developer) can usually get a good feel for your actual programming ability and whether you’ll fit well with the group.” In other words, companies can often get a sense of your skills without a certification.

All that being said, there are highly specialized jobs that definitely require a certification; in these cases, employers simply won’t hire tech pros who don’t have one. For example, a company with a tech stack that’s mostly Cisco-based will want network professionals with Cisco certs.

Even if their job doesn’t demand a certification, tech pros certainly want training and education, according to the Salary Survey. Some 71 percent told Dice that they thought education and training benefits were important, even though 40 percent actually received such benefits from their companies (a stunning gap). Tech pros realize that more education and skills can translate into raises and better benefits—whether at their current company, or another one.

In other words, certifications are worth it for specialized tech pros—but not having a certification isn’t an impediment to a successful career in tech for many. If you’re interested in advancing your career, ask your employer if they’re willing to foot the bill for training and classes; you might luck out.

Is an A+ GPA Good?

 what is the range for an a+

An A+ is much higher than the national average GPA, which is a B. It’s the highest GPA you can attain, so congratulations! 

For high school students

Do everything you can to maintain this GPA, but don’t forget that college admission officers like to see participation in extracurricular activities and a solid standardized test score.

For college students

Well done, you’ve faced the rigorous academic course load and are prepared to succeed in both graduate school and the workforce.

How Can I Raise My GPA?

You can’t! But you must work hard to keep it. Here are some ways to keep your GPA from slipping.

• Keep a schedule so you don’t lose track of test dates and assignment due dates.

• Help other students study. This will help you really understand the material.

• Don’t get complacent! It will be difficult to maintain a perfect GPA.

• For more:  what is the range for an a+

Average A+ Salary

 comptia a+ certification salary

Introduction

Interested in getting started as an information security professional? There are quite a few potential points of entry, but earning your A+ certification might be an excellent option. Infosec positions are widely available across the U.S., and with the right certification and minimum experience, you can embark on a rewarding career.The right certification will also ensure that you have the ability to move on to higher certs as you build confidence and experience, giving you the ability to earn more and 

What Is the Average A+ Salary?

While A+ certification is an entry-level credential, you’ll find salaries vary greatly depending on a number of different factors. Among those factors are years of experience, the city where you’re employed, the actual job role you fill and even your gender. The average salary for a man with A+ certification ranges from $38,248 to $74,186. However, a woman with A+ certification has an average salary from $38,965 to $68,228. A+ certification holders are primarily male – only 7% of those with A+ certification are women. enjoy greater challenges in your daily responsibilities.

What Is the Average A+ Salary by City?

The potential salary for an A+ certificate holder will vary significantly depending on where you live. For instance, in New York City, you might earn between $39,873 and $77,949. However, in Dallas, Texas, you might earn between $39,005 and $81,867. In Chicago, you have the potential to earn $40,960 and $74,000, while A+ certificate holders in Washington, DC, might earn between $48,011 and $104,506. Finally, those living and working in Seattle, Washington, might earn between $43,505 and $81,811.

• New York City, NY — $39,873 – $77,949
• Dallas, Texas — $39,005 – $81,867
• Chicago, IL — $40,960 – $74,000
• Washington, DC — $48,011 – $104,506
• Seattle, WA — $43,505 – $81,811

As expected, earning potential for A+ certification holders increases with additional experience, certifications and responsibilities. Entry-level A+ holders can expect to earn around $40,000 annually. Average salaries for A+ certified professionals based on years of experience are reported below.

What entry level job pays the most?

 entry level job salary

Whether you’re working a dead-end job or transitioning out of the military, everybody has different reasons to make the transition into the IT industry. And the timing couldn’t be better! The industry is facing a massive shortage of workers, offers great pay, amazing benefits, and lots of employment opportunities.

If you don’t have much experience, but you’re looking to join this thriving industry, don’t worry!  You’re not the first. Check out our 7 tips for getting your foot in the door of the IT industry.

1. Re-examine and Apply Your Past Experience to the IT Industry

When you first make the decision to pursue a new career in IT, it’s important to take a hard look at your prior experience. It might seem like you

have none of the skills listed on job postings, but “soft skills” can be surprisingly important and many skills are transferable into IT roles.

For example, if you’re looking to start in a help desk position (a common entry-level IT role), things like communication, customer service, familiarity with Microsoft Office, and other common skills can be a huge boost to your resume. By carefully thinking about your past roles through the lens of the role you’d like to get, you may find a treasure trove of relevant experience.

Are a military veteran? Check out our blog  From The Military to Information Technology: The Perfect Fit and see why IT may be the perfect fit for you.

You’ll need to create a new resume with relevant experience listed and tailored specifically for the kinds of roles you’re trying to land. Employers are highly likely to take a look at your LinkedIn page during the application process. Using your new resume, you should revise your profile to make sure the two match up. You should also take time to write a new cover letter that explains your prior experience, how it’ll be useful in your new role, and why you’re interested in changing industries. This will help answer a lot of questions if your resume piques their interest.

2. Get Industry Certifications

Getting certified may be the fastest way to break into information technology. While a tech degree can take 1-4 years, certifications can be studied for and earned in just a few weeks. Entry level certifications like the  ITIL, CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+  found in our entry level Computer User Support program, can lay the foundation for roles in networking and cyber security later in your career.

By getting certified, you’ll show potential employers that you have the skills they need. This can go a long way towards making up for a lack of experience. For some roles, the right certifications will put you higher in the stack than applicants with limited experience and no certifications. Best of all, certifications can help open up more entry-level opportunities instead of just taking the first IT job that comes your way.

How do you get certified? The short answer is that you can choose between self-studying or in person, hands-on training, and then take a certification exam. For most individuals with little to no experience, the best option is to take a course taught by an expert with real-world experience so you can ask questions and really understand the topic in depth. Another great learning technique for beginners is taking a course that allows you put your hands on the actual technology you will be working within on the job, this allows you to get a feel for what a real job in IT will be like while simultaneously building your confidence. If you’re interested in a course like this, LeaderQuest’s A+ course offers hands-on computer builds taught by expert instructors with real-world experience.

3. Your Degree in Another Field May Be a Huge Asset

You may be tearing your hair out with regret, wondering why you used all that time in college on a degree that isn’t helping you with your quest for a lifelong career. But don’t be too hard on yourself! Many employers are more inclined to offer you a job because you were able to accomplish

the feat of earning a degree.

Instead of focusing on how your degree may have cost you time and money, focus on the ways that your degree can be applied in moving your life forward into an IT career. For example, an IT worker with a literature degree will be more likely to take a creative approach to problem-solving and have superior writing and communication skills. A philosophy major has a deeper understanding of logic and a unique way of approaching challenges. By casting your degree as an asset, you’ll stand out from other applicants who only have computer or tech experience.

With the rapid evolution of IT, there is a huge demand for individuals from diverse backgrounds and their unique perspectives.

What is a good entry level salary?

 entry level salary

Recent college graduates in the U.S. earned an overall average starting salary of $50,944, according to the Summer 2019 Salary Survey report by the nonprofit National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

The report draws on data reported by approximately 350 colleges and universities nationwide, provided by more than 82,850 graduates with bachelor's degrees.

The average starting salary for Class of 2018 grads increased less than 1 percent from the overall average of $50,516 posted for the Class of 2017, indicating "the sluggish growth in salaries for new college graduates in recent years," NACE reported. The overall average starting salary for new college graduates is up just 1.4 percent from the Class of 2015's average of $50,219.

An early look at salary offers for 2019 college undergraduates, released by pay consultancy Korn Ferry in May, showed that Class of 2019 graduates with bachelor's degrees will earn on average $51,347 annually—about 2 percent more than the 2018 average of $50,390. Korn Ferry researchers analyzed salaries of 310,000 entry-level positions from nearly 1,000 organizations across the U.S.

Top-Earning Majors

For the last three years, computer science graduates have been the top earners among all disciplines, and this remained true for the Class of 2018, NACE reported.

Starting Salaries by Discipline for Class of 2018 Bachelor's Degree Graduates

Undergraduate  Major	Average Starting Salary for the Class of 2018	Average Starting Salary for the Class of 2017	Change
Computer science	$71,411	$72,677	-1.7%
Engineering	$66,638	$65,539	+1.7%
Math and statistics	$61,709	$60,631	+1.8%
Health sciences	$52,076	$53,872	-3.3%
Business	$52,040	$52,456	-0.8%
Social sciences	$46,797	$46,707