Definition
Median Wage
What does the term "median wage" mean? What is the definition of the term "median wage"?
A "median wage" is the boundary between what the highest 50% of earners are paid and what the lowest 50% of earners are paid.
For instance - let's say that the "median wage" of a doctor in the United States is $74,500. This would mean that 50% of all doctors in the United States make more than $74,500, while 50% of all doctors in the United States make less than $74,500.
Another example - let's say that the median wage of a factory worker in North Carolina is $24,600. This would mean that 50% of all factory workers in North Carolina make more than $24,600 per year, while 50% of all factory workers in North Carolina make less than $24,600 per year.
The median annual wage in the United States in 2011 was $26,364.
For instance - let's say that the "median wage" of a doctor in the United States is $74,500. This would mean that 50% of all doctors in the United States make more than $74,500, while 50% of all doctors in the United States make less than $74,500. Another example - let's say that the median wage of a factory worker in North Carolina is $24,600. This would mean that 50% of all factory workers in North Carolina make more than $24,600 per year, while 50% of all factory workers in North Carolina make less than $24,600 per year.
The median annual wage in the United States in 2011 was $26,364.