Perhaps surprisingly, those reeling in smaller salaries are faring a bit better: only around 16% of those earning $200,001 and $300,000 are struggling to make ends meet.
And those on the bottom end of the spectrum are struggling more than middle earners, but still less than top earners: comparatively, 25% of employees making $100,001 to $200,000 and 36% bringing in $50,001 to $100,000 are living paycheck to paycheck.
Meanwhile, about 57% of U.S. workers earning less than $50,000 report they’re barely getting by on their salaries.
“Financial strain is not confined to low-income workers,” the study reveals. “A meaningful share of higher earners also report living paycheck to paycheck or making only limited progress toward long-term financial goals, underscoring that elevated expenses, debt burdens, and lifestyle inflation can erode savings capacity across the income spectrum.”
Looking beyond daily life expenses, high earners are also delaying major life purchases. About 47% are setting back their dream vacations and travel, 31% are stalling on home renovations, 26% are delaying buying or leasing a new car, and 17% are pushing back buying a new house. They’re even pushing back tying the knot and walking down the aisle, as 6% of six-figure workers are delaying getting married.
“In today’s economy, income alone doesn’t guarantee financial peace of mind,” the Clarify Capital report said. “High earners are feeling squeezed by inflation, stressed by social pressure, and more mindful about what it really means to be well-off.”
