CBS News · 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 is significantly higher than commonly perceived.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

26%average salary uplift after a professional certificate

2.7xfaster promotion for certified professionals

71%of leaders prefer candidates who upskill continuously

20days to your first credential

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 is significantly higher than commonly perceived. The report examines the primary pathways to this financial status, revealing that most individuals achieved wealth through gradual accumulation rather than sudden windfalls or inheritance. It highlights the importance of long-term financial planning, consistent investment strategies, and career progression in building substantial net worth. This data challenges prevailing myths about extreme wealth creation, suggesting that disciplined financial management and strategic career choices are more accessible routes to millionaire status for the average professional than previously assumed.

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.

You must shift your focus from chasing rapid promotions to mastering long-term wealth preservation and growth. This development signals that financial literacy is now a critical career competency, rivaling technical skills in importance. You should prioritise understanding investment vehicles, tax efficiency, and personal risk management. Professionals in finance, accounting, and strategic management will see increased demand for their expertise as peers seek guidance on sustainable wealth building. Start by auditing your current financial knowledge and investing in courses that bridge the gap between professional income and personal asset accumulation. Treat your financial education with the same rigour as your vocational training to secure lasting economic stability.

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.