7 things the average American has accomplished by age 35

Flickr / Alex

• By the time they turn 35, many Americans have gotten married, bought a home, and earned a salary of about $50,000.
• They've also amassed quite a bit of debt by that age, according to the data.
• See how you compare to the average 35-year-old American in seven different aspects of life.

The internet was ablaze with indignation last month after MarketWatch published an article saying that the proper amount of savings for a 35-year-old is double their salary.

Those numbers are at odds with reality for many Americans, as plenty of internet commenters made clear.

According to CNBC, the average amount of retirement savings for families between the ages of 32 and 37 is $31,644, while the median amount of savings is just $480 for that age group. (Many families have no retirement savings, bringing down the median.)

A more attainable benchmark is to have your savings equal your salary by the time you hit 35, according to another expert.

But what about other life goals, like starting a family, buying a home for the first time, or switching careers?

We looked at the data to see what the average American has accomplished by the time they turn 35.