CDs in May 2025: Here’s What $10K Can Earn You This Year

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Experts are forecasting at least one rate cut by the Fed before the end of 2025 — possibly two or more. If they’re right, today’s higher CD rates could be on their way out.​Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. Consider this: the national average APY for a 6-month CD is around 1.60% right now. But some banks are offering rates as high as 4.55% APY. That’s a big difference in potential earnings. Locking in a top rate now could mean earning hundreds more — with zero risk — just by being proactive.Earnings on $10,000 in a 6-month CDHere’s a look at the top 6-month CD rates as of early May 2025, as well as how much you’d earn with a $10,000 deposit.CD TermAPYEnding Balance6 months4.55%$10,2256 months1.60% (national average)$10,079Data source: Issuer websites, FDIC rates, and author’s calculations. It really pays to shop around. If you were only earning the national average rate of 1.60% APY, your earnings would be just $79.Looking for longer-term options? While they don’t pay as high a rate as today’s 6-month options, long-term CDs let you lock in a guaranteed return for the entire term — even up to 10 years. Explore all the top CD rates handpicked by our experts to find a match for your needs.Is a 6-month CD right for you?A short-term CD (typically anything less than 12 months) can be a smart move if you’re looking for a low-risk place to park your money. Buying one now would mean you’d get your money back right before the holidays.Short-term CDs might be a good fit if:You’ve got a chunk of cash you won’t need until later this yearYou want to lock in a high rate before potential Fed rate cutsYou’re saving up for a big expense (like holiday travel or gifts)Experts don’t expect CD rates to rise from here — so if you’re thinking about opening one, now’s the time to act.High-yield savings are still paying wellIf you want quicker access to your money and don’t mind if the rate drops later, a high-yield savings account (HYSA) might be a better fit.Right now in May 2025, the top HYSAs are offering rates around 4.10% APY. That’s right in the same ball park as a short term CD — and you can withdraw your money at any time.A $10,000 deposit at 4.10% would earn $205 in interest in six months. Not quite as much as a 6-month CD could earn, but the flexibility might be worth it.Looking for a great option now?Explore our full list of best high-yield savings accounts with flexible access and strong rates.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Discover Financial Services is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Joel O’Leary has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Barclays Plc and Discover Financial Services. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

Experts are forecasting at least one rate cut by the Fed before the end of 2025 — possibly two or more. If they’re right, today’s higher CD rates could be on their way out.​

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

Consider this: the national average APY for a 6-month CD is around 1.60% right now. But some banks are offering rates as high as 4.55% APY. That’s a big difference in potential earnings. Locking in a top rate now could mean earning hundreds more — with zero risk — just by being proactive.

Earnings on $10,000 in a 6-month CD

Here’s a look at the top 6-month CD rates as of early May 2025, as well as how much you’d earn with a $10,000 deposit.

It really pays to shop around. If you were only earning the national average rate of 1.60% APY, your earnings would be just $79.

Is a 6-month CD right for you?

A short-term CD (typically anything less than 12 months) can be a smart move if you’re looking for a low-risk place to park your money. Buying one now would mean you’d get your money back right before the holidays.

Short-term CDs might be a good fit if:

• You’ve got a chunk of cash you won’t need until later this year
• You want to lock in a high rate before potential Fed rate cuts
• You’re saving up for a big expense (like holiday travel or gifts)

Experts don’t expect CD rates to rise from here — so if you’re thinking about opening one, now’s the time to act.

High-yield savings are still paying well

If you want quicker access to your money and don’t mind if the rate drops later, a high-yield savings account (HYSA) might be a better fit.

Right now in May 2025, the top HYSAs are offering rates around 4.10% APY. That’s right in the same ball park as a short term CD — and you can withdraw your money at any time.

A $10,000 deposit at 4.10% would earn $205 in interest in six months. Not quite as much as a 6-month CD could earn, but the flexibility might be worth it.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Discover Financial Services is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Joel O’Leary has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Barclays Plc and Discover Financial Services. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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