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Christmas Bonuses in the USA Vary Wildly—From $250 to Over $4,200

From steelworkers banking 110% of their salary to postal employees pocketing $3,399, this year’s bonuses reveal stark divides. Are you getting your fair share?

In this image there is a Christmas tree which is decorated with few lights and decorative items on...
In this image there is a Christmas tree which is decorated with few lights and decorative items on it. Bottom of the image there are few gift items are on the floor. Left side there is a cabinet having few objects on it. Right side there is window to the wall.

Christmas Bonus 2025: These Industries Pay the Most - Christmas Bonuses in the USA Vary Wildly—From $250 to Over $4,200

American employees are set to receive various Christmas bonuses this year, with significant differences across industries and employment types. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 51% of workers will benefit from these payments, ranging from $250 to over $4,200.

In the iron and steel industry, workers enjoy a substantial bonus of 110% of their monthly salary. Across the United States, bonuses vary widely. The chemical industry in California tops the list with an average bonus of $4,235, followed by the energy sector in Texas at $4,113. Other high-paying sectors include the confectionery industry in New York (€3,900), the textile industry in North Carolina and South Carolina (€3,751), private banking (€3,719), and U.S. postal services (€3,399).

Full-time employees and men are more likely to receive these bonuses than part-time workers and women. Regionally, bonuses are more prevalent in the western states (53%) than in the eastern states (41%). About 77% of employees under collective agreements receive a bonus, with an average of $2,987 for full-time positions in 2024. However, receiving a bonus can temporarily increase the tax rate, reducing net pay.

Christmas bonuses in the USA are a significant part of the employment landscape, with substantial variations across industries and employment types. While some sectors offer bonuses equivalent to a full month's salary, others provide lower amounts. The public sector offers bonuses ranging from 52% to 85% of salary, depending on pay grade. Despite taxation, these bonuses are a welcome addition to employees' incomes during the festive season.

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