Employees Will Never Be the Richest People in the World

A provocative quote has been circulating on social media. It goes like this:

“Nobody gets to the top working a 9 to 5 job for a salary. Let me tell you something that will change your life forever if you let it sink in. The richest people in the world are: 75% entrepreneurs, 15% investors, 7% inherited wealth, 3% actors, sportsmen and entertainers and 0% employees.”

This statement feels provocative, doesn’t it? Like someone staring straight into the camera, saying, “Bro, wake up!” Naturally, reading this might make you think. Is it true that regular employees working a 9-to-5 job have no chance of becoming the richest people in the world?

Let’s break this down in a relaxed but serious way.

It’s True, Entrepreneurs Dominate

If you look at the lists of the world’s richest people in major financial magazines, the names are mostly entrepreneurs. Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bernard Arnault, and Warren Buffett are prime examples. They don’t work a 9-to-5 job; they create big companies, innovate, and take enormous risks.

Celebrities like athletes and musicians also make it onto the list, though they account for a smaller portion. Names like Taylor Swift or LeBron James are iconic, but their contribution to the “richest people list” is still far less significant compared to the big entrepreneurs. So, the quote has some truth to it.

However, that doesn’t mean all entrepreneurs become rich overnight. In fact, most businesses fail within their first five years. Many also sacrifice their life savings just to cover losses.

Picture someone starting a fusion pizza-sushi restaurant, thinking it’s a brilliant idea. Turns out, no one wants to eat a “California Roll” on pizza crust. Rich entrepreneur? Definitely not all of them.

Are Employees Really Absent From the List?

Here’s where things get interesting. Regular employees may not often become the richest people in the world, but there are exceptions. Employees in executive roles or early team members of big companies have a significant chance of becoming extremely wealthy. They might even surpass small business owners.

High-Level Executives with Company Shares

People like Tim Cook (CEO of Apple) or Sheryl Sandberg (former COO of Meta) didn’t start the companies they lead. They are employees. But look at their wealth. Where does it come from? High salaries, large bonuses, and—most importantly—company stock options.

Imagine this: Someone works at a tech company, receives stock options worth $10 million as an annual bonus, and then those stocks triple in value over five years. Suddenly, this “employee” is wealthier than most small business owners.

Early Employees at Startups

This is another fascinating story. Many people who join startups in their early stages receive smaller salaries but are compensated with stock options. When the startup becomes highly successful, they suddenly become incredibly wealthy.

For example, early employees at Google and Facebook now have wealth that’s mind-boggling to ordinary people. They didn’t start the companies but were there from the beginning, helping build the foundation and reaping the rewards of their hard work.

Joining a startup is like a gamble. If it succeeds, you might buy a house in Malibu. If it fails, well, at least you have a cool startup T-shirt.

Professionals in Specialized Industries

There are also professionals such as lawyers at top law firms, top-tier medical specialists, or Wall Street investment managers. These individuals earn millions of dollars a year from their jobs, even though they are technically “just” employees.

Is the Quote Accurate?

Looking at the facts, the quote is accurate in certain contexts. The majority of the world’s richest people are indeed entrepreneurs, investors, or heirs to great wealth. However, there are exceptions. Employees like Tim Cook and Sheryl Sandberg are clear examples that employees can become billionaires.

That said, their numbers are small compared to entrepreneurs or investors. Their wealth is also usually in the billions, not the hundreds of billions like Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos. So while employees can become very wealthy, the chances of making it to the “richest in the world” list are still slim.

The quote is better seen as an inspiring provocation rather than an absolute rule. Ultimately, the path to wealth depends on opportunities, luck, and the decisions one makes.

Are They Good People and Well-Trained?

Many of the richest individuals exhibit unique traits. Most of them are hard workers with extraordinary discipline. Elon Musk, for example, often works 80-100 hours a week. Warren Buffett is known for reading for hours every day to deepen his investment knowledge. They are examples of well-trained individuals who maximize their time.

But “good” is a relative concept. Some billionaires are known for their generosity, like Bill Gates, who has donated most of his wealth to philanthropy. However, other billionaires face criticism for their business practices, which are considered unethical by some. So whether they’re “good” depends on perspective and how they use their wealth and influence.

Small Habits That Make a Big Difference

Interestingly, many successful people adopt small habits that are often overlooked. For example:

• Waking Up Early: Many billionaires, like Tim Cook and Richard Branson, start their days earlier than most people.
• Focused Learning: Warren Buffett and Bill Gates continue to read and learn, even at the peak of their success.
• Strict Time Management: They know what’s important and strive to maximize every second of their day.

These small habits might seem simple, but when done consistently, their impact can be enormous. So their success isn’t just about big ideas or luck but also attention to small details executed persistently.

Entrepreneurs and Investors Take Bigger Risks

It’s undeniable that the path of being an entrepreneur or investor is more “glamorous.” But it’s also filled with risks. Many entrepreneurs lose everything before finally succeeding. Big investors like Warren Buffett spent decades building their wealth through patience and smart strategies.

On the other hand, employees in strategic positions have a more stable path to wealth. They don’t take as much risk as entrepreneurs but can still enjoy significant rewards if the companies they work for succeed.

Becoming a successful entrepreneur is sometimes like climbing Mount Everest. Some make it to the top, but many give up halfway, deciding to enjoy instant noodles at base camp instead.

There Are Many Paths to Wealth

Can employees become the richest people in the world?

Statistically, the chances are slim. But it’s not impossible. High-level executives, early employees at successful startups, or professionals in specialized fields can achieve significant wealth, even nearing the level of major entrepreneurs.

In the end, wealth is the result of a combination of hard work, luck, and smart decisions, regardless of whether someone is an entrepreneur, investor, celebrity, or employee. Which path you choose depends on your life preferences and goals.

So working a 9-to-5 job doesn’t always mean being “stuck.” But if you have big ambitions, maybe it’s worth thinking outside your daily routine—and who knows, the path to Malibu might become clearer.