Here’s What Salary the Average American Will Be Earning in 2028

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Unfortunately, for the majority of American workers, salaries have not been keeping up with rising costs. According to Moneywise, 97% of occupations’ salaries have failed to keep up with inflation over the last five years. Although we can’t predict with certainty what the next few years will hold, Moneywise utilized past salary data, inflation rates and housing costs to forecast what the median salary for Americans in a number of common jobs will be in 2028. Note that this number reflects purchasing power in today’s dollars.

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Based on these predictions, here’s a look at what Americans in various occupations could be earning four years from now.

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Agricultural Workers

• Median salary: $34,790

• 5-year median salary change: 0.41%

• Projected 2028 salary: $34,933

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Bakers

• Median salary: $34,950

• 5-year median salary change: -3.65%

• Projected 2028 salary: $33,674

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Farmers, Ranchers and Other Agricultural Managers

• Median salary: $83,770

• 5-year median salary change: -7.68%

• Projected 2028 salary: $77,336

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Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

• Median salary: $36,440

• 5-year median salary change: -2.32%

• Projected 2028 salary: $35,595

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Nursing Assistants and Orderlies

• Median salary: $38,130

• 5-year median salary change: -2.49%

• Projected 2028 salary: $37,181

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Skincare Specialists

• Median salary: $43,200

• 5-year median salary change: -2.69%

• Projected 2028 salary: $42,038

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Massage Therapists

• Median salary: $55,310

• 5-year median salary change: -3.87%

• Projected 2028 salary: $53,170

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EMTs and Paramedics

• Median salary: $44,780

• 5-year median salary change: -4.35%

• Projected 2028 salary: $42,832

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Surgical Assistants and Technologists

• Median salary: $60,370

• 5-year median salary change: -5.35%

• Projected 2028 salary: $57,140

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Dental Assistants

• Median salary: $46,540

• 5-year median salary change: -7.73%

• Projected 2028 salary: $42,942

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Opticians

• Median salary: $44,170

• 5-year median salary change: -8.28%

• Projected 2028 salary: $40,513

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Psychologists

• Median salary: $92,740

• 5-year median salary change: -8.58%

• Projected 2028 salary: $84,783

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Physical Therapists

• Median salary: $99,710

• 5-year median salary change: -10.85%

• Projected 2028 salary: $88,891

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Chiropractors

• Median salary: $76,530

• 5-year median salary change: -12.13%

• Projected 2028 salary: $67,247

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Photographers

• Median salary: $40,760

• 5-year median salary change: -9.51%

• Projected 2028 salary: $36,884

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Airline and Commercial Pilots

• Median salary: $171,210

• 5-year median salary change: 2.11%

• Projected 2028 salary: $174,823

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Flight Attendants

• Median salary: $68,370

• 5-year median salary change: -3.23%

• Projected 2028 salary: $66,162

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Travel Agents

• Median salary: $47,410

• 5-year median salary change: -6.34%

• Projected 2028 salary: $44,404

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Construction Laborers and Helpers

• Median salary: $44,310

• 5-year median salary change: -4.22%

• Projected 2028 salary: $42,440

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Roofers

• Median salary: $50,030

• 5-year median salary change: -5.72%

• Projected 2028 salary: $47,168

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Woodworkers

• Median salary: $39,390

• 5-year median salary change: -6.33%

• Projected 2028 salary: $36,897

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Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers

• Median salary: $102,420

• 5-year median salary change: -6.54%

• Projected 2028 salary: $95,722

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Interior Designers

• Median salary: $62,510

• 5-year median salary change: -7.92%

• Projected 2028 salary: $57,559

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Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents

• Median salary: $56,620

• 5-year median salary change: -9.05%

• Projected 2028 salary: $51,496

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Architects

• Median salary: $93,310

• 5-year median salary change: -9.32%

• Projected 2028 salary: $84,614

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Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters

• Median salary: $61,550

• 5-year median salary change: -9.88%

• Projected 2028 salary: $55,469

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Electricians

• Median salary: $61,590

• 5-year median salary change: -10.86%

• Projected 2028 salary: $54,901

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Retail Sales Workers

• Median salary: $33,900

• 5-year median salary change: -1.25%

• Projected 2028 salary: $33,476

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Cashiers

• Median salary: $29,720

• 5-year median salary change: -1.48%

• Projected 2028 salary: $29,280

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Customer Service Representatives

• Median salary: $39,680

• 5-year median salary change: -3.23%

• Projected 2028 salary: $38,398

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Receptionists

• Median salary: $35,840

• 5-year median salary change: -7.04%

• Projected 2028 salary: $33,317

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Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

• Median salary: $46,010

• 5-year median salary change: -8.47%

• Projected 2028 salary: $42,113

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Veterinarians

• Median salary: $119,100

• 5-year median salary change: -5.25%

• Projected 2028 salary: $112,847

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Optometrists

• Median salary: $131,860

• 5-year median salary change: -8.34%

• Projected 2028 salary: $120,863

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Physicians and Surgeons

• Median salary: $239,200

• 5-year median salary change: -11.53%

• Projected 2028 salary: $211,620

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Podiatrists

• Median salary: $141,650

• 5-year median salary change: -12.03%

• Projected 2028 salary: $124,610

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Dentists

• Median salary: $170,910

• 5-year median salary change: -14.49%

• Projected 2028 salary: $146,145

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Child Care Workers

• Median salary: $30,370

• 5-year median salary change: -2.46%

• Projected 2028 salary: $29,623

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Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers

• Median salary: $63,670

• 5-year median salary change: -11.59%

• Projected 2028 salary: $56,291

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Elementary, Middle and High School Principals

• Median salary: $103,460

• 5-year median salary change: -12.71%

• Projected 2028 salary: $90,310

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Mechanical Engineers

• Median salary: $99,510

• 5-year median salary change: -10.38%

• Projected 2028 salary: $89,181

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Personal Financial Advisors

• Median salary: $99,580

• 5-year median salary change: -13.34%

• Projected 2028 salary: $86,296

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Delivery Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers

• Median salary: $39,950

• 5-year median salary change: -3.25%

• Projected 2028 salary: $38,652

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Postal Service Workers

• Median salary: $56,510

• 5-year median salary change: -11.71%

• Projected 2028 salary: $49,893

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Waiters and Waitresses

• Median salary: $31,940

• 5-year median salary change: 1.73%

• Projected 2028 salary: $32,493

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Lawyers

• Median salary: $145,760

• 5-year median salary change: -8.67%

• Projected 2028 salary: $133,123

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Editors

• Median salary: $75,020

• 5-year median salary change: -1.25%

• Projected 2028 salary: $74,082

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Graphic Designers

• Median salary: $58,910

• 5-year median salary change: -8.52%

• Projected 2028 salary: $53,891

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Registered Nurses

• Median salary: $86,070

• 5-year median salary change: -7.82%

• Projected 2028 salary: $79,339

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Pharmacists

• Median salary: $136,030

• 5-year median salary change: -12.85%

• Projected 2028 salary: $118,550

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Police and Detectives

• Median salary: $74,910

• 5-year median salary change: -9.24%

• Projected 2028 salary: $67,988

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Janitors and Building Cleaners

• Median salary: $35,020

• 5-year median salary change: -2.14%

• Projected 2028 salary: $34,271

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Firefighters

• Median salary: $57,120

• 5-year median salary change: -10.18%

• Projected 2028 salary: $51,305

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Social Workers

• Median salary: $58,380

• 5-year median salary change: -8.25%

• Projected 2028 salary: $53,564

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Fitness Trainers and Instructors

• Median salary: $46,480

• 5-year median salary change: -9.13%

• Projected 2028 salary: $42,236

Accountants and Auditors

• Median salary: $79,880

• 5-year median salary change: -10.51%

• Projected 2028 salary: $71,485

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Bus Drivers

• Median salary: $48,230

• 5-year median salary change: -0.56%

• Projected 2028 salary: $47,960

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Taxi Drivers, Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs

• Median salary: $35,180

• 5-year median salary change: -2.14%

• Projected 2028 salary: $34,427

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Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

• Median salary: $47,770

• 5-year median salary change: -8.30%

• Projected 2028 salary: $43,805

Data is sourced from Moneywise and is accurate as of June 13, 2024.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Here’s What Salary the Average American Will Be Earning in 2028