How is considered middle class

Consequently, many analysts stay focused on income, and to enable cross-nation comparisons, on disposable income. Bookending the income levels of the middle class at 75 percent and percent of the median income see Table 1 , approximately 51 percent of the United States falls in the middle class—strikingly close to the adjusted Pew survey. The advantage of measuring the middle class this way is that we can measure changes in the number of people and households in that group.

For the 0. Household income after taxes and benefits. Each of these ways of systematically measuring the U. Middle-class workers are earning a national income share that is 8. And the middle class is shrinking. Workers in the service sector, unable to work remotely, were disproportionately displaced from their jobs.

Other employment disruptions led firms to automate more jobs. The increased costs and risks of interpersonal contact could speed firms' adoption of robotics, payment machines, and other labor-saving technology. Efforts by the U.

This commentary originally appeared on ProMarket on May 12, Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis. Jeffrey B. Wenger , Melanie A. Zaber MelanieZaber. Melanie A. Everyone's talking about saving America's middle class. But just who exactly falls into this group? That's actually a much more difficult question to answer than it seems. While some experts define the middle class by income, others define it by lifestyle.

Still others say it's a state of mind. Here are five different ways that economists, federal agencies and even the White House measure and characterize the middle class. Whether you're considered middle class most commonly depends on your income. But experts differ on how much you have to earn to fall into this camp. One of the narrowest definitions limits it to those who are literally in the middle fifth of the nation's income ladder. Jennifer Liu.

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It organizes the public into nine distinct groups, based on an analysis of their attitudes and values. Even in a polarized era, the survey reveals deep divisions in both partisan coalitions. Use this tool to compare the groups on some key topics and their demographics. Pew Research Center now uses as the last birth year for Millennials in our work.

President Michael Dimock explains why. About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research.

Pew Research Center does not take policy positions.