cbsnews.com · 17 Sep, 09:00 · Business briefing

America has more millionaires than you think. Here's how most of them got rich.

Recent analysis indicates that the number of millionaires in the United States significantly exceeds public perception.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

26%average salary uplift after a professional certificate

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Recent analysis indicates that the number of millionaires in the United States significantly exceeds public perception. Contrary to popular belief, the majority achieved this status through steady wealth accumulation rather than sudden windfalls or inheritance. The report highlights that consistent saving, prudent investing, and long-term career progression are the primary drivers of this financial milestone. This data challenges the narrative that extreme wealth requires exceptional luck or entrepreneurship, suggesting instead that disciplined financial behaviour and professional stability play a more critical role in building substantial net worth for the average American worker.

Employer demand for Finance and Accounting skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This revelation shifts your focus from chasing high-risk ventures to mastering sustainable wealth creation. You should prioritise skills in personal finance, investment strategy, and long-term career planning. Professionals in finance, accounting, and business management must deepen their expertise in asset allocation and tax efficiency. A smart move is to upskill in financial modelling and risk management to advise clients or optimise your own portfolio. Do not ignore the power of consistent compounding. By integrating financial literacy into your professional development, you align your career trajectory with proven wealth-building methods. This approach offers a realistic, actionable path to financial security without relying on improbable luck.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Finance and Accounting, Financial Modeling, Risk Management Strategies and Business And Management — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.