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Six-Figure Salaries Fail to Provide Financial Security in 2025
15 Nov
Summary
- One in three six-figure earners described themselves as financially distressed
- Two in three said six-figure pay is not a sign of wealth
- High earners using credit cards and 'Buy Now, Pay Later' to make ends meet
As of November 15th, 2025, a six-figure salary is no longer a sign of financial success, according to a new Harris poll. The survey found that one in three six-figure earners consider themselves financially distressed, and two in three say a six-figure income is not a mark of wealth.
The erosion of the six-figure income's purchasing power is largely due to years of high inflation. Prices have surged by at least 24% since the start of 2020, devaluing a $100,000 salary to the equivalent of just $170,000 in 2005. This has left many high earners struggling to make ends meet, with three-quarters using credit cards when they run out of cash and over half saying they would need to double their income to feel financially secure.
Despite their high salaries, these six-figure earners are not immune to the economic pressures facing the country. Many have resorted to selling personal items, cutting back on medical care, and even skipping meals to make their budgets work. This paints a surprising picture of the financial challenges facing even the highest-income Americans in 2025.
