This is the Average 401(k) Contribution. See How You Stack Up by Alix Langone The market volatility of 2018 may have rattled some investors, but Americans saving for retirement resisted the temptation to take their money out of the market and continued contributing to their accounts despite seeing a decline in returns. The average 401(k) contribution was $6,850 across all ages in 2018, tying a record high, according to a report released last week by Fidelity.