Most Americans who identify as middle class fit neatly into the academic definitions of socioeconomic status without any discrepancies.

When we talk about socioeconomic status, we often think about a person's income, education, and job type. Many Americans who consider themselves middle class usually meet the criteria set by researchers in these areas, meaning they have stable jobs, decent incomes, and at least some college education. However, not everyone fits perfectly into these categories, as personal experiences and local differences can affect how someone views their own status. For example, a teacher earning a middle-class salary might feel financially insecure due to high living costs in their city, even though they fit the academic definition of middle class. This shows that while definitions are helpful, individual feelings and situations also play a big role in how we understand socioeconomic status.