Texas
How much money do you need to make to be in the top 5% in Texas?
(NEXSTAR) – The disparity between the income that an average U.S. resident brings in yearly compared to those sitting at the top of earners in each state has always been a major topic of discussion.
In fact, WalletHub states that “the highest-earning 10% of individuals in the United States earn over 12 times more than those in the lowest-earning 10%, based on the latest Census data.”
And while looking up what the “average salary” is across the country, ($74,600, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve), appears to give a solid idea of how far off most Americans are from the 5% club, a closer look at the high-end salaries reveals that the disparity is even more stark.
WalletHub broke down the income of all 50 U.S. states and Washington D.C into three different groups: the average annual income of the top 5%, the average for the bottom 20%, and the median for all of each state’s residents.
Landing at No. 1 was New York where the top 5% makes about $553,000 a year. That’s almost $35,000 more than the next two highest states and nearly $100,000 more than the 10th-ranked state.
While the top 5% is thriving in the Empire State, its bottom 20% is falling well short, ranking 44th in salary with $13,301.
Right behind New York is Connecticut and Virginia where the average is about $518,000 apiece. Followed by New Jersey and Illinois which are both hovering around $505,000.
The state with the lowest top 5% threshold is Alaska, where earning roughly $321,000 will get you into the club. Hawaii and Vermont aren’t far behind where the top 5% makes about $334,000.
Check out what you need to make in your state:
| Rank | State | Average Annual Income of Top 5% | Median Annual Income | Average Annual Income of Bottom 20% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $553,436 | $91,366 | $13,301 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $518,757 | $114,156 | $14,576 |
| 3 | Virginia | $518,296 | $89,393 | $18,694 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $505,621 | $117,847 | $16,445 |
| 5 | Illinois | $504,800 | $78,304 | $16,192 |
| 6 | Georgia | $487,870 | $66,612 | $16,472 |
| 7 | Texas | $481,483 | $70,513 | $16,802 |
| 8 | Washington | $474,067 | $103,748 | $18,223 |
| 9 | Florida | $470,308 | $68,818 | $15,375 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $466,208 | $127,760 | $13,689 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $464,981 | $86,364 | $19,797 |
| 12 | Colorado | $456,603 | $97,301 | $18,451 |
| 13 | California | $454,829 | $123,988 | $13,949 |
| 14 | Tennessee | $453,539 | $59,077 | $15,679 |
| 15 | District of Columbia | $450,892 | $162,265 | $9,011 |
| 16 | North Carolina | $450,592 | $63,025 | $15,836 |
| 17 | Utah | $448,195 | $89,786 | $22,491 |
| 18 | Michigan | $446,114 | $62,446 | $17,019 |
| 19 | Missouri | $446,069 | $59,715 | $16,821 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $445,261 | $74,711 | $15,801 |
| 21 | Ohio | $436,922 | $61,904 | $16,188 |
| 22 | Maryland | $427,135 | $124,693 | $16,647 |
| 23 | Arizona | $424,913 | $74,375 | $16,604 |
| 24 | Kansas | $423,517 | $68,489 | $17,176 |
| 25 | Nebraska | $416,325 | $72,384 | $17,380 |
| 26 | Arkansas | $416,224 | $51,032 | $14,069 |
| 27 | South Carolina | $412,771 | $62,909 | $13,996 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $411,897 | $55,629 | $13,800 |
| 29 | Oklahoma | $405,113 | $57,215 | $15,205 |
| 30 | Idaho | $403,737 | $70,041 | $18,372 |
| 31 | Delaware | $402,989 | $87,173 | $16,930 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $402,256 | $72,602 | $17,973 |
| 33 | Nevada | $401,062 | $80,366 | $14,472 |
| 34 | New Hampshire | $400,343 | $110,205 | $18,075 |
| 35 | Indiana | $399,270 | $64,170 | $16,670 |
| 36 | Alabama | $398,584 | $55,480 | $13,242 |
| 37 | Montana | $395,720 | $68,937 | $15,337 |
| 38 | Louisiana | $395,155 | $56,282 | $11,504 |
| 39 | Iowa | $395,093 | $68,974 | $17,621 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $393,809 | $69,266 | $17,252 |
| 41 | North Dakota | $387,548 | $79,874 | $15,661 |
| 42 | Wyoming | $387,280 | $76,307 | $16,199 |
| 43 | Oregon | $377,399 | $91,100 | $14,720 |
| 44 | Mississippi | $377,040 | $46,880 | $12,168 |
| 45 | Rhode Island | $353,721 | $104,252 | $12,668 |
| 46 | New Mexico | $351,972 | $58,911 | $11,944 |
| 47 | West Virginia | $345,239 | $52,719 | $12,477 |
| 48 | Maine | $338,866 | $79,800 | $13,749 |
| 49 | Vermont | $334,470 | $89,695 | $14,477 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $334,369 | $141,832 | $14,014 |
| 51 | Alaska | $321,634 | $113,934 | $15,646 |
As for what state’s residents make the most money on average, Washington D.C. finished with the highest median income of $162,265. Unfortunately, D.C. also finished with the lowest salary for the average annual income of the bottom 20%, with $9,011.
Other states that had a high median income were Hawaii ($141,832), Massachusetts ($127,760), Maryland ($124,693), and California ($123,988).
These states with a smaller gap between the average earner and the top 5% make it easier to make the jump, but it’s still difficult.
According to GoBankingRates, it will take a variety of factors to make that jump. First, you need a steady increase in income. This could mean you are making better financial decisions, investing wisely, or perhaps experiencing career advancements.
Another factor is maybe having a solid investment strategy, look to see that you are getting positive returns on your investment and that you have a well-diversified portfolio.
Finally, prioritize your long-term financial stability. Look to prioritize saving over short-term pleasures.
And if you’re looking to go even higher than the top 5%, Forbes found that to be one of the top 1% of earners in the U.S., you need to bring in an annual salary of at least $597,815, so start saving up!
AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Wednesday he has secured a settlement of bankruptcy claims against genetic testing company 23andMe stemming from a 2023 data breach that exposed personal information, including some genetic ancestry data, of 6.9 million customers worldwide.
Paxton’s office said the settlement includes $150 million for a multistate coalition of 42 states. But because of limited funds in 23andMe’s bankruptcy estate and competing claims, the states’ recovery will be $18 million paid immediately, with Texas receiving $1,266,860.
23andMe disclosed in October 2023 that attackers had accessed accounts affecting 6.9 million consumers. Some of the information was later posted for sale on the dark web, according to Paxton’s office, which said the company learned of the breach months after the data became publicly available. The office said 23andMe initially denied a breach and later blamed consumers’ account settings and password practices.
Paxton joined a multistate investigation that concluded 23andMe used unreasonable security practices and failed to implement adequate safeguards against hacking, the office said.
23andMe filed for bankruptcy protection in March 2025. Paxton’s office said the settlement incorporates privacy and cybersecurity requirements, including enhanced security standards, comprehensive risk assessments and creation of an independent advisory board, along with enforcement of state privacy laws and continued consumer data deletion rights.
“Companies that collect and profit from Texans’ most personal information have a legal duty to protect it,” Paxton said in a statement.
The company also agreed to a $46.75 million class-action settlement in the bankruptcy case for affected U.S. consumers who submitted claims by Feb. 17, 2026, Paxton’s office said.
Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
The Texas Longhorns entered the 2025 season with more expectations than any team has had to deal with in recent memory.
Many among the media were ready to crown the team and quarterback Arch Manning before they even played one game. Of course, those unrealistic expectations were never met, even though the team finished with a 10-3 record and a Citrus Bowl win over the Michigan Wolverines.
2026 is heading in the same direction for the Longhorns. Many believe head coach Steve Sarkisian has the most talented team in the country. But in order to fix the issues from this past season, the Longhorns needed to fix one issue that has cost them in the past.
Changing The Narrative
One of the biggest issues the Longhorns had last season was the play of the offensive line. It was apparent in the first game of the season against the Ohio State Buckeyes that Manning didn’t have the pocket time needed to make big plays.
This offseason, Coach Sarkisian went out and found two massive transfer portal additions that should completely change the narrative on this offensive line.
It starts with potential starting right tackle Melvin Siani. Siani has spent time with the Temple Owls and last season with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
The Longhorns are set at left tackle with Trevor Goosby, who could play himself into being a top 10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. If the team can get competent play from Siani, the offense will be able to open up the playbook, and the world may finally see Manning at his college peak.
The Longhorns also went out and found a potential fix at left guard for the 2026 season. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers transfer Laurence Seymore could be another strong patch for the holes in the offensive line.
After spending the first two seasons of his college career with the Miami Hurricanes, Seymore made stops with the Akron Zips and the Hilltoppers.
Of course, the one concern with Seymore is wondering if he can compete at the SEC level coming from the C-USA.
This season for the Longhorns starts and stops with the play of Manning. Coach Sarkisian and the rest of this coaching staff understood that protecting their quarterback was the most important goal when building the 2026 roster.
The Longhorns are going to be leaning on veteran talent to protect their quarterback, and it may very well be the best decision they made this offseason.
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