how much should i have in my 401k at 30

At age 30, the general guideline is to have saved about the equivalent of one year's salary in your 401(k) or other retirement accounts. For example, if your annual salary is $50,000, you should aim to have around $50,000 saved by this age. This guideline is supported by major financial firms like Fidelity and J.P. Morgan. Average 401(k) balances for people in their 30s are around $35,000 to $38,000, but the target is to reach at least your annual salary amount. Savings recommendations vary slightly depending on income and advisor, with some suggesting anywhere from half to one and a half times your income by age 30. Most experts also advise consistently saving about 10% to 15% of your annual income over time to reach retirement goals. In summary, by age 30, aim for a 401(k) balance equal to roughly 1x your current salary, adjusting based on your income and savings progress.