For many Americans, the idea of earning a “top 1%” income feels abstract, something reserved for celebrities, CEOs or billionaire tech founders. But in reality, the income threshold is far more specific and far more dependent on geography, taxes and financial habits than most people realize. Here, experts explained how to define the minimum salary that equals the top 1% of income in 2026, and why this is a little more complicated than it sounds. What ‘Top 1% Income’ Actually Means and What It Doesn’t T ...