Is the 'American dream' still achievable? Here's how much you must earn in 2025 to be middle class

The phrase "the American dream" has long symbolized opportunity, upward mobility, and the promise of a better life through hard work and dedication. But in 2025, with rising living costs, stagnant wages, and growing wealth gaps, many are questioning whether that dream still holds true. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey conducted on over 8,700 adults, just over half of Americans (53%) believe the American dream is still possible. Another 41% say it was once achievable but no longer is. And 6% say it was never possible at all.

Views vary widely by age and income. Two-thirds of Americans age 65 and older (68%) say the dream is still possible. Among those aged 50 to 64, the number is slightly lower at 61%. However, among adults under 50, only 42% think the dream is still attainable. Income tells a similar story. While 64% of upper-income Americans say the American dream is still achievable, only 39% of lower-income Americans agree. Middle-income Americans fall in between, with 56% saying the dream remains alive. While public opinion reveals how Americans feel about the dream, actual financial standings offer a different layer of insight. 

Net worth data in 2025 shows that Americans are grouped into five categories by wealth, per a separate analysis shared by New Trader U. Each reveals a different experience of economic reality in the country today. At the bottom is the poverty class (the lowest 20%), with a median net worth of just $6,030. This group often includes younger adults weighed down by student debt and low-paying jobs, living paycheck to paycheck. Many struggle to build even a small financial cushion. Next is the lower-middle class, with a median net worth of $43,760. These are mostly young families or individuals early in their careers.

They save modestly but often face pressure to increase spending as income rises, making it difficult to grow wealth. The middle class sits at the center, with a median net worth of $104,700. Often in their forties, they may have paid down debt and built home equity, but rising housing costs and wage stagnation continue to pose challenges. The upper-middle class, with a median net worth of $201,800, typically enjoys more financial security and invests more strategically. Many in this group hold corporate leadership roles or run businesses and have multiple income streams. At the top are the wealthy, or the highest 20% of American households. This group has a median net worth of $608,900 and many millionaires who benefit from high-paying careers, investments, business ownership, and, in some cases, inheritance.

While they enjoy financial freedom, they also face complex challenges like tax planning and market risks. Even as some Americans reach these levels of wealth, others feel the dream is slipping further away. Pew’s data shows that only 31% of Americans believe they’ve achieved the American dream. Another 36% say they are getting there. But 30% say it seems like a distant dream. These perspectives vary sharply by race and income. Nearly 40% of White Americans say they’ve achieved the dream, compared to just 15% of Black Americans and 19% of Hispanic Americans. Black, Hispanic and Asian Americans are more likely to say they’re working toward it, but fewer say they’ve arrived.