Answer; Between $39,556 and $118,078

From US Census Bureau American Community Survey (courtesy of Business Insider):

Defined by Pew as those earning 67% to 200% of the median income — $39,560 to $118,080 in 2016 — only about half of Americans can call themselves middle class. Lower-income households account for 29%, while upper-income households make up the rest, according to Pew.

Here's a great interactive map (need to go here to use the interactivity) showing how middle class incomes vary by state:

Questions:

• Why do you think these figures vary so much by state?
• Can you suggest other ways to measure the middle class other than by income?
• Do you think the size of the middle class has changed over time? Why or why not? 
• Do you think you will be in the same income class as your family?

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Here are the ready-to-use slides for class.  

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Wondering how the middle class spends their money? Check out this NGPF Data Crunch to find the answer to the question. 

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.