Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n- American workers\u2019 median earnings total about $65,000 annually.<\/li>\n
- Roughly 40% of U.S. singles think the amount of money potential partners make is important. <\/li>\n
- New data from Northwestern Mutual reveals how salary expectations differ among men, women and different generations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
The adage \u201clove is blind\u201d might not apply when it comes to finances.\u00a0<\/p>\nImage Credit: pepifoto | Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAlthough American workers saw median weekly earnings of $1,251<\/a> in the second quarter of 2026, totaling roughly $65,000 per year, many U.S. singles want their ideal partner to earn well above that figure.\u00a0<\/p>\nNorthwestern Mutual\u2019s 2026 Planning & Progress Study<\/a>, which explores how Americans think about love, money and relationships, reveals exactly how much.\u00a0<\/p>\nThe majority of Americans in serious relationships say financial compatibility is more important than emotional chemistry, physical attraction or shared interests, the report found.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But only about 40% of singles believe a potential partner\u2019s earning power is important.<\/p>\n
Of those who do say income is important, their average ideal partner\u2019s salary is $139,000 per year.<\/p>\n
That number looks different for men and women, and across generations, according to the data.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Women hope their future partner earns $172,000, which is 70% higher than men\u2019s expectations of $101,000.<\/p>\n
Millennials have the highest salary aspirations for their ideal partners at $160,000; Gen Z comes in just behind them at $135,000. Gen X and Boomers hope their potential partners make $123,000 and $125,000 annually, respectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile most singles don\u2019t think income matters, a substantial number do,\u201d Northwestern Mutual chief strategy officer Jeff Sippel said. \u201cAfter years of volatility, many singles are looking for a partner who can manage money well, provide financial stability and put them on a path to financial security.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\nKey Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n- American workers\u2019 median earnings total about $65,000 annually.<\/li>\n
- Roughly 40% of U.S. singles think the amount of money potential partners make is important. <\/li>\n
- New data from Northwestern Mutual reveals how salary expectations differ among men, women and different generations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
The adage \u201clove is blind\u201d might not apply when it comes to finances.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.entrepreneur.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-1285940848_ba260c.jpg?w=1024\")
Image Credit: pepifoto | Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAlthough American workers saw median weekly earnings of $1,251<\/a> in the second quarter of 2026, totaling roughly $65,000 per year, many U.S. singles want their ideal partner to earn well above that figure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The adage \u201clove is blind\u201d might not apply when it comes to finances.\u00a0<\/p>\n Although American workers saw median weekly earnings of $1,251<\/a> in the second quarter of 2026, totaling roughly $65,000 per year, many U.S. singles want their ideal partner to earn well above that figure.\u00a0<\/p>\n Northwestern Mutual\u2019s 2026 Planning & Progress Study<\/a>, which explores how Americans think about love, money and relationships, reveals exactly how much.\u00a0<\/p>\n The majority of Americans in serious relationships say financial compatibility is more important than emotional chemistry, physical attraction or shared interests, the report found.\u00a0<\/p>\n But only about 40% of singles believe a potential partner\u2019s earning power is important.<\/p>\n Of those who do say income is important, their average ideal partner\u2019s salary is $139,000 per year.<\/p>\n That number looks different for men and women, and across generations, according to the data.\u00a0<\/p>\n Women hope their future partner earns $172,000, which is 70% higher than men\u2019s expectations of $101,000.<\/p>\n Millennials have the highest salary aspirations for their ideal partners at $160,000; Gen Z comes in just behind them at $135,000. Gen X and Boomers hope their potential partners make $123,000 and $125,000 annually, respectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhile most singles don\u2019t think income matters, a substantial number do,\u201d Northwestern Mutual chief strategy officer Jeff Sippel said. \u201cAfter years of volatility, many singles are looking for a partner who can manage money well, provide financial stability and put them on a path to financial security.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The adage \u201clove is blind\u201d might not apply when it comes to finances.\u00a0<\/p>\n Although American workers saw median weekly earnings of $1,251<\/a> in the second quarter of 2026, totaling roughly $65,000 per year, many U.S. singles want their ideal partner to earn well above that figure.\u00a0<\/p>\nKey Takeaways<\/h2>\n
\n