69% of Millionaires Earn Less Than Six Figures

Ramsey Solutions conducted one of the most extensive surveys of millionaires with over 10,000 participants, and they found a few interesting facts:

Raw Numbers

• 69% of millionaires earn less than six figures.

• 80% of millionaires invest in their company's 401(k) plan.

• 75% of millionaires build wealth through long-term investing.

Other Notable Mentions

• Many millionaires don't come from money.

• Many millionaires didn't attend elite colleges.

• Many millionaires earn their money through long-term investing.

Millionaires are everyday people who decide to manage their money differently than most; they don't necessarily do anything special; they're average people who make millionaire decisions.

Millionaires Don't Always Make Big Bucks

It's easy to fall into a popular belief that millionaires made big bucks to reach their financial status, but the truth is that many millionaires reach their financial status through modest habits:

• Budgeting

• Consistent investing
• Living below their means

If you give it enough time, paired with the right actions, you can achieve millionaire status. It takes discipline, not a big salary.

So, even if you don't make a six--, seven--, or eight-figure salary, you can reach millionaire status with the proper financial habits.

"[…] What kind of salaries do wealthy people make? Not as much as you might think. The majority of millionaires in this survey didn't have high-level, high-salary jobs.

In fact, only 15% of millionaires were in senior leadership roles, such as vice president or C-suite roles (CEO, CFO, COO, etc.). Ninety-three percent of millionaires said they got their wealth because they worked hard, not because they had big salaries.

Only 31% averaged $100,000 a year throughout their career, and one-third never made six figures in any single working year of their career." (Dave Ramsey)

Do you still believe a six or seven-figure income is necessary to build wealth? I hope not; reaching this financial status is available and possible for you.

What This Means For You

If you apply the proper habits, you can create wealth for yourself, loved ones, and others you feel compelled to give to. 

Does it take time to build wealth with a five-figure salary? You bet your ass. But time will pass anyway, right? Instead of worrying about how much money you make or how long it will take you to reach millionaire status, apply the most powerful trait of financially thriving individuals: consistency.

Consistency with what, though?

• Investing

• Living within and significantly below your means

• Educating oneself about personal finance and investing

People who reach millionaire status on average income don't get caught up in the game of materialism. They don't get caught up in the upgrade lifestyle. They don't get caught up with lifestyle creep. They don't get caught up in trying to prove how much money they earn to others. They get caught up with being consistent.

What often gets overlooked in these discussions is behavioral identity. Millionaires don’t just do different things — they see themselves differently. They view money as something to be managed, not displayed.

This identity shift quietly governs thousands of micro-decisions over decades. When you stop trying to look wealthy and start trying to become financially stable, the math finally works in your favor.

Another critical distinction is between income events and wealth habits. A raise, bonus, or windfall can accelerate progress, but it doesn’t create the foundation.

Without habits in place, higher income simply magnifies existing behavior. This is why many high earners still live paycheck to paycheck, while modest earners quietly build seven-figure net worths over time. Income can help, but behavior compounds.

Time is the real advantage most people underestimate. A five-figure earner who starts investing early has a massive edge over a six-figure earner who delays. Compounding rewards those who begin before they feel “ready.” Waiting for perfect conditions often means waiting too long. Progress favors action, not comfort.

There’s also power in boring consistency.

The habits that create wealth are repetitive and unglamorous. Monthly contributions. Automatic transfers. Saying no to upgrades that don’t matter. Reviewing finances periodically without emotional attachment.

None of this looks impressive in the short term.

But over years, it produces disproportionate results.

Another reason many people fail to build wealth isn’t lack of knowledge — it’s distraction.

Lifestyle noise, social comparison, and consumer culture constantly pull attention away from long-term goals. When everyone around you is upgrading, spending, and signaling success, restraint can feel like failure.

In reality, it’s quiet strength.

It’s also worth addressing fear. Fear of missing out. Fear of not enjoying life. Fear of “waiting too long.” These fears push people into premature spending decisions that delay financial independence. The irony is that discipline early buys freedom later. Delayed gratification doesn’t mean deprivation — it means choice.

Wealth also creates optional generosity.

When your finances are stable, giving becomes intentional rather than reactive. You’re able to support causes, family, and opportunities without compromising your own security.

This is one of the most underrated benefits of long-term wealth building. It expands your impact without increasing stress.

Finally, understand that wealth is built in private. There are no public milestones. No applause for choosing consistency over consumption. No recognition for passing on lifestyle upgrades. But those invisible decisions accumulate quietly until one day the outcome is undeniable.

You don’t need extraordinary talent, insider knowledge, or perfect timing. You need patience, consistency, and the willingness to ignore noise. The path is available to anyone willing to commit to it. And if you stay the course long enough, the numbers eventually speak for themselves.

Source: The National Study of Millionaires

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This article is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered Financial or Legal Advice. Not all information will be accurate. Consult a financial professional before making any significant financial decisions.