
Is a salary of $51,000 good for a single person? The answer to this seemingly simple question is complicated because it depends on many factors. These factors include: where you live, what’s your lifestyle, how much debt you have, your line of work, your level of education and experience, and what goals you have.
For example, where you live will significantly affect your cost of living, so your dollar might not go as far in a higher-cost-of-living area than a lower-cost-of-living area.
In this article, we will take a look at whether a salary of $51,000 is good for a single person and which factors play into this.
How a Salary of $51,000 Compares to Other Individuals In The United States
According to data from the US Census Bureau for 2022, the median income for Nonfamily households in the United States was approximately $45,440 – which means that half of all individuals earned more than this amount, and half earned less.
So, if you have a salary of $51,000, you have a salary that is in the top 50 percent of all earners in the United States.
With a salary of over $50,000, you are doing well and near the middle of average earners in the United States.
Let’s look at some other factors to help you answer the question if a salary of $51,000 is good.
Determining if a Salary of $51,000 is Good Relative to Where You Live
Where you live will greatly affect how much money you make. For example, in higher-cost-of-living areas, such as California and New York, wages are typically higher. In lower-cost-of-living areas, such as Mississippi and Oklahoma, wages are typically lower.
According to FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data), here is the data for the Annual Per Capita Personal Income by State for 2022. We have summarized this data below.
Alabama | 50,637 |
Alaska | 68,919 |
Arizona | 56,667 |
Arkansas | 51,787 |
California | 77,339 |
Colorado | 74,167 |
Connecticut | 84,972 |
Delaware | 61,387 |
District of Columbia | 96,728 |
Florida | 63,597 |
Georgia | 57,129 |
Hawaii | 61,175 |
Idaho | 54,537 |
Illinois | 68,822 |
Indiana | 57,930 |
Iowa | 58,905 |
Kansas | 60,152 |
Kentucky | 52,109 |
Louisiana | 54,622 |
Maine | 59,463 |
Maryland | 70,730 |
Massachusetts | 84,945 |
Michigan | 56,813 |
Minnesota | 68,010 |
Mississippi | 46,248 |
Missouri | 56,551 |
Montana | 57,719 |
Nebraska | 63,321 |
Nevada | 61,282 |
New Hampshire | 74,663 |
New Jersey | 78,700 |
New Mexico | 51,500 |
New York | 78,089 |
North Carolina | 57,416 |
North Dakota | 66,184 |
Ohio | 57,880 |
Oklahoma | 54,998 |
Oregon | 62,767 |
Pennsylvania | 65,167 |
Rhode Island | 65,377 |
South Carolina | 53,320 |
South Dakota | 65,806 |
Tennessee | 58,279 |
Texas | 61,985 |
Utah | 57,925 |
Vermont | 63,206 |
Virginia | 68,211 |
Washington | 75,698 |
West Virginia | 49,169 |
Wisconsin | 61,210 |
Wyoming | 71,342 |
So at a salary of $51,000, you are making less than almost every state’s Per Capita Personal Income as seen above.
Something else to consider is whether you live in a city or rural area. Again, in cities, typically you can make more for your work.
Therefore, it’s essential to look at where you live and see how you compare to other earners in your area.
Is $51,000 a Good Salary for My Age?
First, let’s take a look at some data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on income and age. We have created the following table based on data from 2022 to find the approximate median earnings for full-time workers by age.
Age | Annual Income |
 16 to 19 years | $31,486 |
 20 to 24 years | $36,790 |
 25 to 34 years | $51,610 |
 35 to 44 years | $61,568 |
 45 to 54 years | $62,101 |
 55 to 64 years | $60,021 |
 65 years and over | $53,664 |
So if you compare your salary and age to this chart, at $51,000 you are doing better than the median salary for your age group if you are 24 or younger, and worse if you are older than 24 years old.
But remember, whether a $51,000 salary is considered good for your age also depends on various factors, including your location, field of work, level of experience, and personal financial goals. Age alone is not the sole determinant of what constitutes a good salary.
In some regions with a lower cost of living, a $51,000 salary can provide a comfortable lifestyle and the ability to save for the future, making it a good income for your age. However, in high-cost-of-living areas, this salary might require careful budgeting to maintain the same standard of living.
Ultimately, it’s important to focus on your own financial objectives and how your salary aligns with them. Assess your expenses, savings goals, and lifestyle choices to determine whether your salary enables you to meet your needs and work towards your financial aspirations, regardless of your age.
Is a Salary of $51,000 Good for Your Level of Education and Experience?
Another question you can ask yourself is if your salary is good for the level of education and experience you have in your field.
For example, if you just started working and only have limited education, then you most likely will not be getting paid as much as others who have been in the field for a long time.
At the same time, if you have been working in the same job or area for many years, then your level of experience should show in your salary.
Once again we looked into 2022 data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on weekly income based on education. We put together another table showing the annual median income earned by education level.
 Education Level | Annual Income |
 Less than a high school diploma | $35,438 |
 High school graduates, no college | $44,278 |
 Some college or associate degree | $50,375 |
 Bachelor’s degree and higher | $80,275 |
So at a salary of $51,000, you are doing better than the median for others with some college or an associate degree, but making less than others with a Bachelor’s degree and higher.
Something else to consider is which field you work in. For example, typically, jobs in medicine, technology, finance, or law will pay more than jobs in the service industry or other industries.
For example, if you are making more than $51,000 and are working in a service industry, then you are probably doing quite well relative to others in your industry.
Likewise, if you are working in a higher-paid industry, there may be more room to grow in your job.
How to Budget a $51,000 Salary
Budgeting is an important financial planning tool that helps you manage your income and expenses effectively. Here’s a sample budget for a $51,000 annual salary. Remember that individual financial situations vary, so you may need to adjust this budget to suit your specific needs and goals.
Monthly After-Tax Income:
- Salary after Taxes: Approximately xxxxxAfterTaxSalaryxxxxx (This is a rough estimate after assuming a xxxxxTaxRatexxxxx% tax rate)
Monthly Expenses:
- Housing:
- Rent/Mortgage: xxxxxRentxxxxx
- Utilities (electricity, water, gas, internet, etc.): xxxxxUtilitiesxxxxx
- Transportation:
- Car Payment: xxxxxCarxxxxx
- Gas: xxxxxGasxxxxx
- Maintenance and Repairs: xxxxxMaintenancexxxxx
- Car Insurance: xxxxxInsurancexxxxx
- Groceries and Dining:
- Groceries: xxxxxGroceriesxxxxx
- Dining out (restaurants, takeout, etc.): xxxxxDiningxxxxx
- Healthcare:
- Health Insurance Premiums: xxxxxHealthxxxxx
- Medical Expenses (co-pays, prescriptions, etc.): xxxxxMedicalxxxxx
- Savings and Investments:
- Retirement Savings (e.g., 401(k) or IRA): xxxxxRetirementxxxxx
- Emergency Fund: xxxxxEmergencyxxxxx
- Other Investments or Savings Goals: xxxxxInvestmentsxxxxx
- Entertainment and Recreation:
- Cable/Streaming Services: $50
- Hobbies and Entertainment: xxxxxHobbiesxxxxx
Total Monthly Expenses: xxxxxMonthlyExpensesxxxxx
Remaining Income after Expenses: xxxxxDiscretionaryxxxxx
With this budget, you have approximately xxxxxDiscretionaryxxxxx per month for discretionary income, saving for future goals, or additional investments. Be sure to keep track of your actual expenses and adjust your budget as necessary to ensure you’re on track to meet your financial objectives and maintain a healthy financial situation.
Remember, this budget is a general guideline, and your actual expenses may differ based on your unique circumstances and priorities. Always strive to save and invest for your future while enjoying your current lifestyle responsibly.
Will a Salary of $51,000 Help Me Become Rich?
A salary of $51,000 can certainly help you build wealth and achieve financial success, but whether it will make you “rich” depends on various factors, including your financial goals, lifestyle choices, expenses, and savings/investment strategies. Here are some considerations:
- Financial Goals: The definition of “rich” varies from person to person. For some, it means achieving financial security and having enough to comfortably cover living expenses and retirement. For others, it means accumulating significant wealth. Your specific financial goals will determine what “rich” means to you.
- Lifestyle Choices: Your spending habits and lifestyle choices play a significant role in your ability to accumulate wealth. Even with a high salary, if you spend excessively or accumulate debt, it can hinder your path to becoming rich. Budgeting, practicing mindful spending, and living below your means are essential.
- Savings and Investments: Building wealth often involves saving a significant portion of your income and making smart investments. A high salary provides the opportunity to save and invest more, which can accelerate your wealth-building journey. Consider contributing to retirement accounts, investing in stocks or real estate, and diversifying your investments.
- Debt Management: Reducing and managing debt, such as student loans, credit card debt, and mortgages, is crucial for building wealth. High-interest debt can erode your financial progress, so it’s important to prioritize paying it off.
- Cost of Living: The cost of living in your area can significantly impact your ability to save and invest. In high-cost-of-living areas, it may be more challenging to build wealth, even with a high salary.
- Investment Strategy: Your investment strategy, including asset allocation, risk tolerance, and long-term planning, can greatly influence your wealth accumulation. Consulting with a financial advisor can help you make informed investment decisions.
- Time Horizon: Building substantial wealth often takes time and consistent effort. The longer your time horizon, the more potential you have to accumulate wealth through the power of compounding returns.
In summary, a $51,000 salary provides a foundation for building wealth, but it’s not the salary alone that determines your financial success. Becoming “rich” is a subjective goal, so it’s essential to define what it means for you and create a financial plan to pursue it.
Hopefully this article has been useful for you to answer the question: Is $51,000 a Good Salary for a Single Person?
Is Digital Federal Credit Union open on Juneteenth? No, Digital Federal Credit Union is not open on Juneteenth.
If the holiday falls on a weekend, then Juneteenth will be observed either on the previous Friday or the following Monday.
Even though that the branches aren’t open, the ATMs and website for Digital Federal Credit Union are still available for you to use your money.
To learn more about the hours and locations of Digital Federal Credit Union, you can visit their website here: https://www.dcu.org/.
Why Banks and Credit Unions are Closed on Federal Holidays
Throughout the year, there are 11 federal holidays and, on these holidays, banks and credit unions are closed.
This is because the Federal Reserve is closed. The Federal Reserve helps banks and credit unions perform various services such as ACH transactions and wire transfers.
Since the Federal Reserve is closed because it is a government entity, these financial institutions cannot perform their services and are closed as well.
Which Days are Federal Holidays in the United States?
Below are a list of all of the federal holidays observed in the United States:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Day
- President’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- 4th of July
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
As mentioned above, on these federal holidays, banks, credit unions and government entities will be closed.
Hopefully this article has been helpful to you to learn about if Digital Federal Credit Union is closed or open on Juneteenth.
Is Alaska USA Federal Credit Union open on Labor Day? No, Alaska USA Federal Credit Union is not open on Labor Day.
Even though that the branches aren’t open, the ATMs and website for Alaska USA Federal Credit Union are still available for you to use your money.
To learn more about the hours and locations of Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, you can visit their website here: https://www.alaskausa.org/.
Why Banks and Credit Unions are Closed on Federal Holidays
Throughout the year, there are 11 federal holidays and, on these holidays, banks and credit unions are closed.
This is because the Federal Reserve is closed. The Federal Reserve helps banks and credit unions perform various services such as ACH transactions and wire transfers.
Since the Federal Reserve is closed because it is a government entity, these financial institutions cannot perform their services and are closed as well.
Which Days are Federal Holidays in the United States?
Below are a list of all of the federal holidays observed in the United States:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Day
- President’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- 4th of July
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
As mentioned above, on these federal holidays, banks, credit unions and government entities will be closed.
Hopefully this article has been helpful to you to learn about if Alaska USA Federal Credit Union is closed or open on Labor Day.
Is Redstone Federal Credit Union open on Veterans Day? No, Redstone Federal Credit Union is not open on Veterans Day.
If the holiday falls on a weekend, then Veterans Day will be observed either on the previous Friday or the following Monday.
Even though that the branches aren’t open, the ATMs and website for Redstone Federal Credit Union are still available for you to use your money.
To learn more about the hours and locations of Redstone Federal Credit Union, you can visit their website here: https://www.redfcu.org/.
Why Banks and Credit Unions are Closed on Federal Holidays
Throughout the year, there are 11 federal holidays and, on these holidays, banks and credit unions are closed.
This is because the Federal Reserve is closed. The Federal Reserve helps banks and credit unions perform various services such as ACH transactions and wire transfers.
Since the Federal Reserve is closed because it is a government entity, these financial institutions cannot perform their services and are closed as well.
Which Days are Federal Holidays in the United States?
Below are a list of all of the federal holidays observed in the United States:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Day
- President’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- 4th of July
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
As mentioned above, on these federal holidays, banks, credit unions and government entities will be closed.
Hopefully this article has been helpful to you to learn about if Redstone Federal Credit Union is closed or open on Veterans Day.
Is OnPoint Community Credit Union open on Christmas Eve? Yes, OnPoint Community Credit Union is open on Christmas Eve.
Since Christmas Eve is not a federal holiday, OnPoint Community Credit Union will be open. However, typically the hours will vary.
While on Christmas Eve, OnPoint Community Credit Union is open, on Christmas Day, OnPoint Community Credit Union locations will be closed.
If Christmas Day falls on a weekend, then Christmas Day will be observed either on the previous Friday or the following Monday.
To learn more about the hours and locations of OnPoint Community Credit Union, you can visit their website here: https://www.onpointcu.com/.
Why Banks and Credit Unions are Closed on Federal Holidays
Throughout the year, there are 11 federal holidays and, on these holidays, banks and credit unions are closed.
This is because the Federal Reserve is closed. The Federal Reserve helps banks and credit unions perform various services such as ACH transactions and wire transfers.
Since the Federal Reserve is closed because it is a government entity, these financial institutions cannot perform their services and are closed as well.
However, Christmas Eve is not a federal holiday, OnPoint Community Credit Union will be open. However, hours might be shorter than usual.
Which Days are Federal Holidays in the United States?
Below are a list of all of the federal holidays observed in the United States:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Day
- President’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- 4th of July
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
As mentioned above, on these federal holidays, banks, credit unions and government entities will be closed.
Again, since Christmas Eve is not a federal holiday, OnPoint Community Credit Union will be open. However, the closing time might be earlier than usual.
Hopefully this article has been helpful to you to learn about if OnPoint Community Credit Union is closed or open on Christmas Eve.
Is Travis Credit Union open on New Year’s Eve? Yes, Travis Credit Union is open on New Year’s Eve.
Since New Year’s Eve is not a federal holiday, Travis Credit Union will be open. However, typically the hours will vary.
While on New Year’s Eve, Travis Credit Union is open, on New Year’s Day, Travis Credit Union locations will be closed.
If New Year’s Day falls on a weekend, then New Year’s Day will be observed either on the following Monday.
To learn more about the hours and locations of Travis Credit Union, you can visit their website here: https://www.traviscu.org/.
Why Banks and Credit Unions are Closed on Federal Holidays
Throughout the year, there are 11 federal holidays and, on these holidays, banks and credit unions are closed.
This is because the Federal Reserve is closed. The Federal Reserve helps banks and credit unions perform various services such as ACH transactions and wire transfers.
Since the Federal Reserve is closed because it is a government entity, these financial institutions cannot perform their services and are closed as well.
However, New Year’s Eve is not a federal holiday, Travis Credit Union will be open. However, hours might be shorter than usual.
Which Days are Federal Holidays in the United States?
Below are a list of all of the federal holidays observed in the United States:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Day
- President’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- 4th of July
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
As mentioned above, on these federal holidays, banks, credit unions and government entities will be closed.
Again, since New Year’s Eve is not a federal holiday, Travis Credit Union will be open. However, the closing time might be earlier than usual.
Hopefully this article has been helpful to you to learn about if Travis Credit Union is closed or open on New Year’s Eve.
Is Ent Credit Union open on Martin Luther King Day? No, Ent Credit Union is not open on Martin Luther King Day.
Even though that the branches aren’t open, the ATMs and website for Ent Credit Union are still available for you to use your money.
To learn more about the hours and locations of Ent Credit Union, you can visit their website here: https://www.ent.com/.
Why Banks and Credit Unions are Closed on Federal Holidays
Throughout the year, there are 11 federal holidays and, on these holidays, banks and credit unions are closed.
This is because the Federal Reserve is closed. The Federal Reserve helps banks and credit unions perform various services such as ACH transactions and wire transfers.
Since the Federal Reserve is closed because it is a government entity, these financial institutions cannot perform their services and are closed as well.
Which Days are Federal Holidays in the United States?
Below are a list of all of the federal holidays observed in the United States:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Day
- President’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- 4th of July
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
As mentioned above, on these federal holidays, banks, credit unions and government entities will be closed.
Hopefully this article has been helpful to you to learn about if Ent Credit Union is closed or open on Martin Luther King Day.
Is PenFed Credit Union open on Good Friday? Yes, PenFed Credit Union is open on Good Friday.
Since Good Friday is not a federal holiday, PenFed Credit Union will be open. However, typically the hours will vary.
To learn more about the hours and locations of PenFed Credit Union, you can visit their website here: https://www.penfed.org/.
Why Banks and Credit Unions are Closed on Federal Holidays
Throughout the year, there are 11 federal holidays and, on these holidays, banks and credit unions are closed.
This is because the Federal Reserve is closed. The Federal Reserve helps banks and credit unions perform various services such as ACH transactions and wire transfers.
Since the Federal Reserve is closed because it is a government entity, these financial institutions cannot perform their services and are closed as well.
However, Good Friday is not a federal holiday, PenFed Credit Union will be open. However, hours might be shorter than usual.
Which Days are Federal Holidays in the United States?
Below are a list of all of the federal holidays observed in the United States:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Day
- President’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- 4th of July
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
As mentioned above, on these federal holidays, banks, credit unions and government entities will be closed.
Again, since Good Friday is not a federal holiday, PenFed Credit Union will be open. However, the closing time might be earlier than usual.
Hopefully this article has been helpful to you to learn about if PenFed Credit Union is closed or open on Good Friday.
Is Arizona Federal Credit Union open on Juneteenth? No, Arizona Federal Credit Union is not open on Juneteenth.
If the holiday falls on a weekend, then Juneteenth will be observed either on the previous Friday or the following Monday.
Even though that the branches aren’t open, the ATMs and website for Arizona Federal Credit Union are still available for you to use your money.
To learn more about the hours and locations of Arizona Federal Credit Union, you can visit their website here: https://www.arizonafederal.org/.
Why Banks and Credit Unions are Closed on Federal Holidays
Throughout the year, there are 11 federal holidays and, on these holidays, banks and credit unions are closed.
This is because the Federal Reserve is closed. The Federal Reserve helps banks and credit unions perform various services such as ACH transactions and wire transfers.
Since the Federal Reserve is closed because it is a government entity, these financial institutions cannot perform their services and are closed as well.
Which Days are Federal Holidays in the United States?
Below are a list of all of the federal holidays observed in the United States:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Day
- President’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- 4th of July
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
As mentioned above, on these federal holidays, banks, credit unions and government entities will be closed.
Hopefully this article has been helpful to you to learn about if Arizona Federal Credit Union is closed or open on Juneteenth.
Is America’s Credit Union open on Labor Day? No, America’s Credit Union is not open on Labor Day.
Even though that the branches aren’t open, the ATMs and website for America’s Credit Union are still available for you to use your money.
To learn more about the hours and locations of America’s Credit Union, you can visit their website here: https://www.youracu.org/.
Why Banks and Credit Unions are Closed on Federal Holidays
Throughout the year, there are 11 federal holidays and, on these holidays, banks and credit unions are closed.
This is because the Federal Reserve is closed. The Federal Reserve helps banks and credit unions perform various services such as ACH transactions and wire transfers.
Since the Federal Reserve is closed because it is a government entity, these financial institutions cannot perform their services and are closed as well.
Which Days are Federal Holidays in the United States?
Below are a list of all of the federal holidays observed in the United States:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Day
- President’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- 4th of July
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
As mentioned above, on these federal holidays, banks, credit unions and government entities will be closed.
Hopefully this article has been helpful to you to learn about if America’s Credit Union is closed or open on Labor Day.