Affluent Savvy
Photo by Karolina Grabowska Pexels Logo Photo: Karolina Grabowska

How many hours do rich work?

According to data from the U.S. Census, the top 10% of Americans work 46.6 hours per week, compared to 42.2 hours for the bottom 10%. The difference is just 4.4 hours. The top 10% in the U.S. make at least $132,676 a year, more than double the average salary in the U.S. (which is $66,755).

How long will it take for vinegar and salt to clean a penny?
How long will it take for vinegar and salt to clean a penny?

Pour ½ cup of vinegar into the bowl and add 2 teaspoons of salt to it. Hold a penny halfway into the liquid for about 15 seconds and remove it.

Read More »
Which crypto is going to boom?
Which crypto is going to boom?

Dash 2 Trade (D2T) - Crypto Analytics and Intelligence Protocol in Final Presale Stage. RobotEra (TARO) - Top P2E Crypto in Newly Launched Presale....

Read More »
Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly
Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that pay us a commission. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

How many hours do you need to work to become rich?

Key points

Workers in richer countries tend to work fewer hours than those in poorer countries. Wealthier countries are able to take advantage of technology and become more productive as a result. The U.S. is one of the exceptions, however. According to the U.S. Census, those in the top 10% in America work 4.4 more hours a week than those in the bottom 10%. How many hours do those in the top 10% of wealth work versus those in the bottom 10%? A better question may be who works more: people in richer countries or those in poorer countries? There are many similarities when comparing average work weeks across the globe. Data shows that working hours tend to go down as countries become wealthier. Data also shows that the average working hours based on income level are also very similar across different countries.

Rich countries are more productive

Switzerland is 20 times richer than Cambodia, but the average Cambodian worker works 900 hours more a year than the average Swiss worker. This amounts to an extra 3.5 hours a day. The data clearly shows there is a direct link between working hours and national income. Countries like Germany, Switzerland, and Norway have high labor productivity (their labor is worth $69, $83, and $111 per hour, respectively). With workers producing more in less time, there is no need to work as much. On the other end of the spectrum, countries such as Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Mexico have low labor productivity ($3, $5, and $20 per hour, respectively). As a result, those living in these countries have to work more hours to compensate.

Technological innovation

The primary driver of high productivity is technological advancements, which includes physical machines as well as ideas, knowledge, and processes. The average person today can produce 10 times more than their counterparts a century ago, thanks to things like electricity, assembly lines, and the internet. Technology, like computers, better machinery, agricultural fertilizers, and operational management help workers become more productive. This increase in productivity in turn drives higher incomes and a need for fewer working hours. For example, farm production in the U.S. increased close to 16 fold in 63 years, between 1948 and 2011. This significant increase in productivity allows the farmers in the U.S. to feed more people with fewer workers.

Workers in the U.S. work more

What is a Scorpios power?
What is a Scorpios power?

Scorpio is dark and fatalistic, but they are keen when it comes to learning optimism, and will find that they possess those incredible powers of...

Read More »
What is the lucky number for wealth?
What is the lucky number for wealth?

number 6 Money number 6 in numerology Considered to be the money attracting number, people falling under this will have the most luck when it comes...

Read More »
Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly
Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

The increase in productivity doesn't necessarily mean rich countries work less. Countries like the U.S. and Singapore work more hours compared to countries with similar productivity. The U.S. is one of the most productive countries in the world, averaging $74 per hour worked, but the average worker works more hours than other Western developed countries. The average worker in the United States puts in 1,765 hours a year. In Japan, the figure is 1,691, and France, it's 1,505 hours. Norway holds the top spot, with 1,384 annual working hours and $100 per hour in productivity output. Related: Want to Retire by Age 50? Here's How Much You Need to Save

Working hours by income level

There are similarities in how many hours people work depending on income levels. Using data from 27 different countries, on average the top 10% work about one hour less per week than the bottom 10%. However, the U.S. bucks this trend. According to data from the U.S. Census, the top 10% of Americans work 46.6 hours per week, compared to 42.2 hours for the bottom 10%. The difference is just 4.4 hours. The top 10% in the U.S. make at least $132,676 a year, more than double the average salary in the U.S. (which is $66,755). While it may seem that rich people work significantly longer hours, on average they don't work any more than the bottom 10%. The difference is that their productive output is much higher.

Main income sources for the wealthy

As you might expect, the rich get a larger share of their income from investments than poor people do. In fact, the top 5% of earners get over two-thirds of their income from investments. The top 5% make more money from their investments and business interests than their salary and wages. The rich also have more sources of income. The bottom third heavily rely on Social Security payments and their salary and wages. The rich also make money from their private business investments. For those making $10 million or more a year, their salary only makes up 17% of their income and their investment income makes up 67%. The stock market is one of the primary sources of income for the rich. Many wealthy individuals invest in stocks and bonds as a way to generate passive income. In this way, the fact that they work only a few more hours per week on average doesn't have the biggest impact on their earnings.

What is the best time for affirmations?
What is the best time for affirmations?

Step 3: Speak the affirmation out loud for about five minutes three times a day, morning, midday, and evening. An ideal time to do this is when...

Read More »
What are early birthdays for school?
What are early birthdays for school?

TK is available for kids whose fifth birthdays are between September 2nd and December 2nd of the school year. For example, if your child turns 5 on...

Read More »
Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly
Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »
What oil did the Prophet use on his hair?
What oil did the Prophet use on his hair?

What oil did the Prophet use in his hair? The use of Henna was the Sunnah of the Companions of our beloved Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam),...

Read More »
Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly
Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »
What age do most people retire?
What age do most people retire?

Key Takeaways. Rules surrounding Social Security benefits established age 65 as a common retirement age. Men retire at an average age of 64.6...

Read More »