Why Six-Figure Earners Now Identify as Working Class

The definition of the working class is undergoing a volatile transformation. While 60% of all Americans now embrace the label—a sharp rise from 54% in 2024—the sentiment is no longer confined to low-wage labor. Even within the middle-income bracket, where earnings range from $51,900 to $155,600, two-thirds of adults identify as working class. For these individuals, the term functions less as a math equation and more as an expression of financial precarity. Even among those who report living comfortably and maintaining emergency savings, the psychological tether to the working class remains strong.

This trend persists despite recent macroeconomic gains. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows median weekly earnings for full-time workers grew by 8.3% between early 2024 and early 2026, outpacing the 5.5% rise in consumer prices. Yet, the perception of security has not followed suit. The divide between middle-income households and those at the top is widening, pushing the middle class toward a level of unease once reserved for the lowest-income groups. For many, the label has become a cultural shorthand for anyone who works for a living, regardless of whether they hold a college degree or what their tax bracket suggests.