ShopHow much allowance should a kid get?
There's no official number in the U.S. What there is: real data on what parents actually pay. Here it is by age, plus what allowance is for and how to make it work.
What parents actually pay
In a Wells Fargo survey conducted by Ipsos in spring 2025, 1,587 U.S. parents of kids ages 5 to 17 shared what they give. 71 percent of them give an allowance. These are the typical amounts, the median, so a few very generous families don't skew the picture:
| Age | Typical allowance |
|---|---|
| 5 to 8 | $15 a week |
| 9 to 14 | $20 a week |
| 15 to 17 | $25 a week |
A rule of thumb a lot of families use: one dollar a week for every year of age, so about $13 a week at 13. It lands close to the survey numbers and is easy to remember.
Should allowance be tied to chores?
Families do it both ways, and both can work. Some pay a basic allowance no matter what and treat everyday chores as part of living together. Others pay for specific jobs. A middle path is common too: a small base amount, plus extra money for bigger jobs like washing the car or babysitting a sibling.
What matters most is that the deal is clear and stays the same. Money that shows up some weeks and not others is hard to plan with.
What should allowance cover?
Allowance is money you decide about yourself: snacks, a movie, a game, or saving up for something bigger. Clothes, school supplies or a phone plan usually aren't part of it.
Some families switch to a larger budget allowance in the teen years and hand over a whole category, like clothes. It's one of the fastest ways to learn that a month is long and a sale isn't always a deal.
Weekly or monthly?
Younger kids usually do better with a weekly amount, because a whole month is hard to keep track of. Around the middle school years, a lot of families switch to every two weeks or monthly, so teens learn to plan further ahead.
Saving for something real
Saving gets easier when you can see the goal. Victoria and Sam are saving for their first apartment together. Their savings challenge with 50 circles is free on this site, and it works for any goal.
Free savings challenge Story: The coat
Sources
FAQ
How much allowance should a 13-year-old get?
In a 2025 Wells Fargo survey, the typical allowance for ages 9 to 14 was $20 a week. A common rule of thumb is a dollar a week per year of age, so about $13.
How much allowance should a 16-year-old get?
The typical amount for ages 15 to 17 was $25 a week in the same survey. Families that hand over costs like clothes often pay more.
Should allowance be tied to chores?
There's no single right answer. Many families pay a small base amount and extra for bigger jobs. The important part is a clear deal that doesn't change week to week.
Is allowance better weekly or monthly?
Weekly for younger kids, every two weeks or monthly for teens, so they learn to plan further ahead.
ELSEWISE tells stories. We are not psychologists, doctors or counselors, and we can't give you personal advice. If something is weighing on you, talk to someone you trust or contact one of the services on our help page.