WSJ poll finds 1 in 5 working-class Americans earn $100,000 or more

Working class in America is defined more by a mindset of struggle and self-reliance than by income alone, a new Wall Street Journal poll reveals — a finding with implications for how both political parties appeal to a group that has shifted rightward in recent elections.

One in five people who identified as working class in the survey reported household incomes of $100,000 a year or more, and nearly one in four hold a college degree, according to the poll conducted on behalf of the Journal. The results challenge the conventional economic definition of working class as a low-income, less-educated demographic and suggest the label carries cultural weight that transcends earnings.

"Working-class people defined themselves by struggle and having to fend for themselves — and not relying on others to do things for them," said Janet Adamy, deputy coverage chief in the Journal's Washington bureau, who reported on the findings. The survey found that class identity is as much about a mindset as it is about a particular income level.

The poll arrives as Democrats seek to reclaim a constituency that has shifted toward Donald Trump in recent election cycles. Trump made significant inroads with working-class voters in 2016 and 2024, framing economic nationalism and trade protectionism as defenses of American manufacturing and labor. The survey suggests that any political strategy targeting this group must address cultural identity and self-perception, not just economic policy.

The Identity Gap in American Politics

The disconnect between income and class identity helps explain why economic messaging alone may fail to sway voters who earn six-figure salaries but still see themselves as part of the working class. The share of Americans living in middle-class households fell to 51 percent in 2023 from 61 percent in 1971, according to Pew Research Center data, a long-term erosion that has blurred traditional class boundaries.

For Democrats, the challenge is twofold: the party must craft policies that address the economic anxieties of voters earning $100,000 while also resonating with the cultural identity of self-reliance and struggle that defines the working-class label. The poll indicates that class identity is sticky — it persists even when income rises above levels historically associated with middle or upper-middle status.

What's at Stake for 2026 and Beyond

The findings carry particular weight ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, when control of Congress will be decided. If Democrats fail to reconnect with voters who see themselves as working class despite earning above-median incomes, the party risks ceding ground in swing districts where cultural identity often outweighs economic calculus. The poll suggests that political messaging focused narrowly on income redistribution or tax policy may miss the mark with a group that prizes self-sufficiency and views struggle as central to its identity.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.