Business & Finance
Pew survey finds 60% of Americans identify as working class
Self-identification with the working class has expanded across middle- and high-income households despite recent real wage gains.
The short version
- A Pew Research analysis shows 60% of Americans identified as working class in January 2026, rising from 54% in 2024.
- Identification with the label is increasing among middle-income and upper-income households, even among those reporting financial security.
- Researchers note political affiliation and lingering price pressures influence how Americans view their economic status.
Key facts
- A Pew Research analysis of a January 2026 survey found 60% of Americans describe themselves as working class, up from 54% in 2024.[Business Insider]
- Half of households earning over $155,600 identified as working class, alongside high rates among middle-income families making between $51,900 and $155,600.[Business Insider]
- Median weekly earnings grew 8.4% between the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2026, outpacing a 5.5% increase in consumer prices over the same timeframe.[Business Insider]
- Pew's research indicates Republicans, including those in higher income brackets, are more likely than Democrats to self-identify as working class.[Business Insider]
- The share of the U.S. population classified in the middle class dropped from 61% in 1971 to 51% in 2023.[Business Insider]
What remains uncertain
- The exact socioeconomic criteria respondents use to define 'working class' remain ambiguous, as interpretations vary across education, job sector, and household income.[Business Insider]
Sources
- More Americans think of themselves as working class, even as they make more moneyBusiness Insider metered