Did you read that right, $186,000? Yes, that precise figure is not a mistake. That’s the average salary Americans say they need to earn to feel financially comfortable, per a recent poll conducted by Bankrate. The survey explored the sentiments of varying demographics of American workers, covering Gen Zers, to Gen Xers, to Black Americans, to Hispanics, to Westerners, to those making under $50,000 or $100,000 or more, and everyone in between.
What the survey uncovered was startling. To feel financially free or rich, the average American agrees that they need to make in excess of half a million dollars; while to live financially comfortably, the survey respondents agreed that $186,000 a year would be necessary.
Interestingly, the poll’s findings noted that the more a professional earns, the more money they feel they need. It also revealed that Gen Zers and Black Americans are the demographical groups who have set the ceiling the highest on what they believe they need to earn to live comfortably—$200,000 and $282,000 respectively.
While these figures may seem eye-wateringly high, it’s essential to put these salary goals in perspective and into the context of inflation and the cost of living crisis, the report noted. According to Bankrate, a salary of $186,000 has the same buying power as:
- $48,444 in May 1980
- $76,516 in May 1990
- $101,567 in May 2000
- $129,211 in May 2010
So it’s no surprise that the “comfortable salary” goalpost is moving higher for U.S. professionals. The question therefore is, what jobs or career paths realistically allow you to earn $186,000 as a minimum in 2025?
7 Remote Jobs To Make $186,000+ In 2025
The below jobs come with a double advantage: not only do they pay in excess of $186,000 on average in the United States, but they also are highly popular as remote jobs, particularly since, according to research from Ladders (a job board for lucrative jobs that pay over $100,000), and research from the World Economic Forum, they fall within the most popular categories for well-paid remote jobs:
- Telephysician—average salary range between $180,960 and $268,320
- Psychiatrist—average salary range between $242,206 and $296,048
- Chief Information Officer—average salary range between $299,914 and $411,352
- Finance director—average salary range between $139,151 and $264,648
- Head of product management—average salary range between $238,177 and $361,591
- VP (vice president) of marketing—average salary range between $189,015 and $294,835
- Project director—average salary range between $162,097 and $198,059
If you look at the list of high-paying remote jobs above, you’ll notice that they all have one of two factors in common: they are either highly specialized, or they’re in senior leadership and management roles.
This gives you two options for progressing your career—either work your way up the ladder into leadership and management, or if leadership is not your thing, concentrate on advancing your career to become an expert or specialist in your field, without the people management responsibility. This allows you to hone in on your skills and double down on what you already are passionate about. You can even delve further into your chosen field through undertaking courses or getting your master’s degree. The more you invest in your professional development, the more you’ll be aligned for higher-paying remote job opportunities—even if they’re not in management.
The jobs above are proof that if you work hard at your craft and are committed to your profession, especially in technical, business management, and medical roles, you can realize a salary of $186,000 or more, and experience financial comfort and stability.