Data · 48 years
Social Security wage base history, 1980–2027
Every taxable maximum since 1980, with the annual change and the maximum employee Social Security tax each year.
The base rose from $25,900 in 1980 to $192,300 in 2027 — about 642% over 47 years. The maximum employee tax rose from $1,605.80 to $11,922.60.
Source: SSA contribution and benefit base series · verified 2026-11-07| Year | Wage base | Increase | Change | Maximum employee tax (6.2%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $192,300 | +7,800 | 4.2% | $11,922.60 |
| 2026 | $184,500 | +8,400 | 4.8% | $11,439.00 |
| 2025 | $176,100 | +7,500 | 4.4% | $10,918.20 |
| 2024 | $168,600 | +8,400 | 5.2% | $10,453.20 |
| 2023 | $160,200 | +13,200 | 9.0% | $9,932.40 |
| 2022 | $147,000 | +4,200 | 2.9% | $9,114.00 |
| 2021 | $142,800 | +5,100 | 3.7% | $8,853.60 |
| 2020 | $137,700 | +4,800 | 3.6% | $8,537.40 |
| 2019 | $132,900 | +4,500 | 3.5% | $8,239.80 |
| 2018 | $128,400 | +1,200 | 0.9% | $7,960.80 |
| 2017 | $127,200 | +8,700 | 7.3% | $7,886.40 |
| 2016 | $118,500 | $0 | 0.0% | $7,347.00 |
| 2015 | $118,500 | +1,500 | 1.3% | $7,347.00 |
| 2014 | $117,000 | +3,300 | 2.9% | $7,254.00 |
| 2013 | $113,700 | +3,600 | 3.3% | $7,049.40 |
| 2012 | $110,100 | +3,300 | 3.1% | $6,826.20 |
| 2011 | $106,800 | $0 | 0.0% | $6,621.60 |
| 2010 | $106,800 | $0 | 0.0% | $6,621.60 |
| 2009 | $106,800 | +4,800 | 4.7% | $6,621.60 |
| 2008 | $102,000 | +4,500 | 4.6% | $6,324.00 |
| 2007 | $97,500 | +3,300 | 3.5% | $6,045.00 |
| 2006 | $94,200 | +4,200 | 4.7% | $5,840.40 |
| 2005 | $90,000 | +2,100 | 2.4% | $5,580.00 |
| 2004 | $87,900 | +900 | 1.0% | $5,449.80 |
| 2003 | $87,000 | +2,100 | 2.5% | $5,394.00 |
| 2002 | $84,900 | +4,500 | 5.6% | $5,263.80 |
| 2001 | $80,400 | +4,200 | 5.5% | $4,984.80 |
| 2000 | $76,200 | +3,600 | 5.0% | $4,724.40 |
| 1999 | $72,600 | +4,200 | 6.1% | $4,501.20 |
| 1998 | $68,400 | +3,000 | 4.6% | $4,240.80 |
| 1997 | $65,400 | +2,700 | 4.3% | $4,054.80 |
| 1996 | $62,700 | +1,500 | 2.5% | $3,887.40 |
| 1995 | $61,200 | +600 | 1.0% | $3,794.40 |
| 1994 | $60,600 | +3,000 | 5.2% | $3,757.20 |
| 1993 | $57,600 | +2,100 | 3.8% | $3,571.20 |
| 1992 | $55,500 | +2,100 | 3.9% | $3,441.00 |
| 1991 | $53,400 | +2,100 | 4.1% | $3,310.80 |
| 1990 | $51,300 | +3,300 | 6.9% | $3,180.60 |
| 1989 | $48,000 | +3,000 | 6.7% | $2,976.00 |
| 1988 | $45,000 | +1,200 | 2.7% | $2,790.00 |
| 1987 | $43,800 | +1,800 | 4.3% | $2,715.60 |
| 1986 | $42,000 | +2,400 | 6.1% | $2,604.00 |
| 1985 | $39,600 | +1,800 | 4.8% | $2,455.20 |
| 1984 | $37,800 | +2,100 | 5.9% | $2,343.60 |
| 1983 | $35,700 | +3,300 | 10.2% | $2,213.40 |
| 1982 | $32,400 | +2,700 | 9.1% | $2,008.80 |
| 1981 | $29,700 | +3,800 | 14.7% | $1,841.40 |
| 1980 | $25,900 | — | — | $1,605.80 |
Why 2009–2011 and 2015–2016 are flat: the base tracks the national average wage index, so when wage
growth stalls, the base stalls. Those flat years are the clearest evidence that the number is formula-driven
rather than set by policy.
Questions
What was the Social Security wage base in 2025?
It was $176,100. The 2026 figure is $184,500 and the 2027 figure is $192,300.
Has the wage base ever stayed the same two years in a row?
Yes. It was $106,800 in 2009, 2010 and 2011, and $118,500 in 2015 and 2016, because average wages barely moved after the financial crisis and low inflation years.
How much has the wage base grown since 1980?
From $25,900 in 1980 to $192,300 in 2027, an increase of about 643%. Over the same period the maximum employee Social Security tax rose from $1,605.80 to $11,922.60.
Source: SSA, Contribution and benefit base. Maximum
employee tax computed as base × 6.2%. Verified 2026-11-07.