Young American Men Earn Much Less Now Than in 1973

Men’s median income is on the decline. It’s depressing, but true.

Cheryl Russell of the New Strategist Press writes that, according to Census information, men ages 25 to 34 actually earn less than they did 40 years ago.

Among all American men, ages 15 and older, median income peaked in 2000, at $37,791. After adjusting for inflation, men’s median income fell 10 percent from 2000 to 2012, to $33,904.

While a 10 percent drop in income sounds terrible, it gets worse when you break it down by age groups, Russell said.

Check out these sad statistics for the percentage change in men’s median income from the year it peaked to 2012 (adjusted for inflation):

• Ages 25-34. Down 27 percent. Peaked in 1973.
• Ages 35-44. Down 19 percent. Peaked in 1973.
• Ages 45-54. Down 17 percent. Peaked in 1999.
• Ages 55-64. Down 13 percent. Peaked in 2003.

Russell said:

The median income of men aged 25 to 34 has plunged since 1973, falling from $46,598 to $34,113 after adjusting for inflation — a loss of $12,485. Men aged 35 to 44 have lost $10,345 since their peak. Men aged 45 to 54 have lost $9,762, and men aged 55 to 64 have lost $6,407.

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