Written by Hillary Hoffower and Shayanne Gal
2018-10-15T01:04:00Z
- Some of America's richest people make more money in one hour than others would ever see in their lifetime.
- We calculated how much 16 of the richest billionaires and celebrities make an hour, and the results were illuminating.
- Jeff Bezos makes more than $4 million an hour, and Kylie Jenner earns the median US salary in roughly 2 1/2 hours.
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When it comes to money, some people are just in a league of their own.
From business executives and tech moguls to celebrities and athletes, we took a look at the earnings for 16 of the richest people in America and broke down how much they make in an hour. The results were illuminating, to say the least.
To calculate their hourly rate, we used the best available annual earnings and net worth for each person based on Forbes estimations. For the billionaires on the list, we found the difference between their 2017 and 2018 net worths (as provided by the Forbes' 2017 and 2018 richest people in the world lists, published every March) to determine their annual earnings.
For music, movie, and media celebrities, earnings were taken from the Forbes' 2018 Highest-Paid Celebrities list, which were provided based on compensation from June 2017 to June 2018.
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We then divided all annual earnings by 8,760, the number of hours in a year, to calculate how much each person earned an hour.
Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Alice Walton all make more than $1 million an hour, thanks to their multibillion annual earnings. Bezos rakes in the most, earning a whopping $4,474,885 an hour. That's roughly 157 times the median annual worker pay at Amazon of $28,466.
The remaining six on the list earn six figures an hour, from Warren Buffett earning $958,904 an hour to the former Hewlett Packard CEO Meg Whitman bringing in $102,739 an hour. Google's Larry Page sits in the middle of our list, making a nice $924,657 an hour.
Of all the celebrities on the list, George Clooney earns the most, making $27,283 every 60 minutes. That's no surprise considering he's the highest-paid actor on Forbes' 2018 Highest-Paid Celebrities list.
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Kylie Jenner, the youngest person on Forbes' America's Richest Self-Made Women list, isn't far behind Clooney, with hourly earnings of $19,006. That means Jenner makes the median US salary of $45,552, according to data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in just 2.38 hours.
Ellen DeGeneres, LeBron James, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé are the only people on the list to earn four figures an hour — but that's still way more than most people make in one month. The first three earn $9,000 to $10,000 an hour, with Beyoncé coming in last with hourly earnings of $6,849.
Hillary Hoffower
Economics Correspondent, Millennial Wealth
Hillary focuses on the intersection of youth culture and wealth, reporting on the lifestyles and economics of millennials and Gen Z. She covers trends in how these generations are living and spending and examines how the economy is shaping them and their financial behaviors. She also reports on consumer spending and New York City's economy, and previously wrote about the ultrarich and personal finance at Insider before joining its economy team. Basically, she's written about money from every angle you can imagine. Inside the epicenter of America's Great Resignation: Kentuckians lay out the 4 forces driving the state's labor shortage — and explain why it's here to stay Millennial New Yorkers are ditching basem*nts and roommates for luxury apartments at $1,000-plus discounts The world's youngest self-made billionaire hopes to power every future self-driving car with a technology that Elon Musk says is 'doomed' Tiffany and the Trumps: Insiders describe how the president's younger daughter has charted what they say is a distant relationship with her father and come to terms with having America's most divisive last name Inside the French Riviera's pandemic party problem Yachting insiders detail the rampant sexual harassment aboard million-dollar ships, where crew members are promised a glamorous lifestyle and can instead find themselves trapped at sea with no one to turn to Millennials came limping out of the Great Recession with massive student debt and crippled finances. Here's what the generation is up against if the coronavirus triggers another recession.
Shayanne Gal
Senior Data Graphics Designer
Shayanne Gal is a Senior Data Graphics Designer at Insider.
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As a personal finance enthusiast and expert, my extensive knowledge in the field allows me to provide valuable insights into the financial aspects discussed in the article by Hillary Hoffower and Shayanne Gal. Let's break down the concepts used in the article:
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Calculating Hourly Earnings: The article analyzes the hourly earnings of 16 of America's richest individuals, including billionaires and celebrities. The calculation method involves using the best available annual earnings and net worth for each person, sourced from Forbes estimations. For billionaires, the difference between their 2017 and 2018 net worths is used to determine annual earnings. Earnings for celebrities are taken from Forbes' 2018 Highest-Paid Celebrities list, based on compensation from June 2017 to June 2018.
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Annual Earnings Division: To determine the hourly rate, the annual earnings for each individual are divided by 8,760, representing the number of hours in a year. This calculation provides an insight into how much each person earns per hour.
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Top Earners: The article highlights some of the top earners, such as Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Alice Walton, who make over $1 million an hour, with Bezos earning the highest at $4,474,885 per hour. The hourly earnings are compared to the median annual worker pay at Amazon, emphasizing the wealth disparity.
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Celebrity Earnings: The analysis extends to celebrities, with George Clooney earning the most at $27,283 per hour, making him the highest-paid actor. Kylie Jenner's hourly earnings are mentioned in relation to the median US salary, providing a perspective on her wealth.
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Income Disparity: The article emphasizes the significant income disparity between these individuals and the average worker. For example, Ellen DeGeneres, LeBron James, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé are noted for earning four figures per hour, significantly more than the monthly income of most people.
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Forbes Lists: Forbes' lists, including the richest people in the world and highest-paid celebrities, serve as primary sources for the earnings data used in the analysis. These lists provide comprehensive insights into the financial standings of various individuals.
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Authors' Expertise: The article is authored by Hillary Hoffower, an Economics Correspondent with a focus on youth culture and wealth, and Shayanne Gal, a Senior Data Graphics Designer. Their expertise in economics, wealth, and data visualization adds credibility to the information presented.
In conclusion, the article delves into the financial details of high-profile individuals, using Forbes data and expert calculations to illustrate the vast wealth disparities and earning potential of some of America's richest people.
