This is the age you’re most likely to become a millionaire | Gentleman's Journal | Gentleman's Journal (2024)

FAQs

At what age do most people become millionaires? ›

Sometime around age 50, the average American can now expect a household net worth exceeding $1 million. How did so many 50-somethings become millionaires? Household wealth swelled at a record pace during the pandemic.

Data from the Fed shows the mean average for a 50 year old's net worth is $1.3 million. The median average of 50 year olds is just $305,000.

Additionally, statistics show that the top 2% of the United States population has a net worth of about $2.4 million. On the other hand, the top 5% wealthiest Americans have a net worth of just over $1 million. Therefore, about 2% of the population possesses enough wealth to meet the current definition of being rich.

As Forbes points out, most millionaires are self-made, accumulating wealth through education, hard work and investing. According to the data-driven Visual Capitalist site, the world's wealthiest people earned their first $1 million at age 36. It took an average of eight years to reach that magical milestone.

The average IQ of self-made deca-millionaires (over $10M net worth) is 118. The average IQ of self-made* billionaires is 133. The average IQ of self-made deca-billionaires (over $10B net worth) is 151. Of note, average incomes correlate well with IQ, however there is a much lower correlation between IQ and net wealth.

The average American net worth is $1,063,700, as of 2022. Net worth averages increase with age from $183,500 for those 35 and under to $1,794,600 for those 65 to 74. Net worth, however, tends to drop for those 75 and older.

According to CNN Money in 2021, the average net worth for the following ages are: $9,000 for ages 25-34, $52,000 for ages 35-44, $100,000 for ages 45-54, $180,000 for ages 55-64, and $232,000+ for 65+.

A general rule of thumb is that your net worth in your 50s should be around four to five times your annual salary, said Jeff Rose, CFP and founder of Good Financial Cents. For instance, he said that if someone's earning $60,000 annually, their net worth might ideally be in the ballpark of $240,000 to $300,000.

While having a net worth of about $2.2 million is seen as the benchmark for being rich in America, it's essential to remember that wealth is a subjective concept. Healthy financial habits and personal perspectives on money are crucial in defining and achieving wealth.

What net worth is considered wealthy? ›

According to Schwab's 2023 Modern Wealth Survey, Americans perceive an average net worth of $2.2 million as wealthy​​​​. Knight Frank's research indicates that a net worth of $4.4 million is required to be in the top 1% in America, a figure much higher than in countries like Japan, the U.K. and Australia​​.

The top 1% of household net worth in the U.S. was just shy of $13.7 million in 2023. An individual would have to earn an average of $407,500 per year to join the top 1%. A household would need an income of $591,550. The median household income was $74,580 in 2023 and $45,440 for individuals.

Elon Musk became a self-made millionaire in 1999 when he sold a web software company for more than $300 million at the age of 27. Elon Musk's net wealth had topped $1 billion by the time he was 41.

His early life set the foundation for his future achievements. By age 21, Buffett's net worth was nearly $20,000, and by 26, it had grown to $140,000. By age 30, his net worth had grown to $1 million, a significant sum compared to the average family income in the U.S. at that time, which was around $5,600 per year​​.

Bill Gates became a millionaire at the age of 31 in 1986, when Microsoft went public. Mark Zuckerberg became a millionaire at the age of 22 in 2006, when Facebook went public. Steve Jobs became a millionaire at the age of 23 in 1978, when Apple went public.

A little less than 40% of Americans under 35 own a home as of 2022, per the latest Census data. On the other hand, Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 have the highest median net worth out of all age cohorts, increasing their net worth from a median of $308,800 to $409,900 over the same time period.

While the overall odds of someone in the U.S. becoming a millionaire are about 7.29% based on the percentage of the population with that much money, you can increase your odds significantly if you just take these simple steps.

Let's be real: becoming a millionaire from scratch by the age of 25 (or ever) doesn't exactly come easy. It takes incredible dedication, relentless work ethic, a keen vision and, more often than not, a healthy side serving of luck. And it takes discipline — not only in your work life but in your life-life.