<P> In sociology, the upper middle class is the social group constituted by higher status members of the middle class . This is in contrast to the term lower middle class, which is used for the group at the opposite end of the middle - class stratum, and to the broader term middle class . There is considerable debate as to how the upper middle class might be defined . According to sociologist Max Weber the upper middle class consists of well - educated professionals with postgraduate degrees and comfortable incomes . </P> <P> The American upper middle class is defined similarly using income, education and occupation as the predominant indicators . In the United States, the upper middle class is defined as consisting mostly of white - collar professionals who not only have above - average personal incomes and advanced educational degrees but also a higher degree of autonomy in their work . The main occupational tasks of upper - middle - class individuals tend to center on conceptualizing, consulting, and instruction . </P> <P> The American middle class (and its subdivisions) is not a strictly defined concept across disciplines, as economists and sociologists do not agree on defining the term . In academic models, the term "upper middle class" applies to highly - educated, salaried professionals whose work is largely self - directed . Many have postgraduate degrees, with educational attainment serving as the main distinguishing feature of this class . Household incomes commonly may exceed $100,000, with some smaller one - income earners earning incomes in the high five figures . Typical professions for this class include lawyers, physicians, psychologists, certified public accountants, pharmacists, optometrists, stockbrokers, editors, dentists, engineers, professors, architects, school principals, urban planners, civil service executives, and civilian contractors . </P> <P> The upper middle class has grown...and its composition has changed . Increasingly salaried managers and professionals have replaced individual business owners and independent professionals . The key to the success of the upper middle class is the growing importance of educational certification...its lifestyles and opinions are becoming increasingly normative for the whole society . It is in fact a porous class, open to people...who earn the right credentials . </P>

How much money to be upper middle class