Exactly. Just by thinking that salary is the right metric reveals one doesn’t even understand the finance of the truly wealthy. It’s not even the right question

Exactly. Just by thinking that salary is the right metric reveals one doesn’t even understand the finance of the truly wealthy. It’s not even the right question to ask. If you have a “salary” that right there means you’re a working stiff and are not part of the uppercrust. Truly wealthy people don’t “work” and don’t have “income” in that sense. Instead they just have a large portfolio of assets that grow in value. They’re free to draw what they wish to live the lifestyle they wish. The way I think about it is this: there are two types of people in this world. Those who have to go to work every day to produce income, or else they’re fucked. And there’s people who simply do not have to work. In this sense, a surgeon is really not that different than a grocery clerk. They both have to get up everyday and go through the grind or else they’re fucked. In a sense they’re in the same class. They’re both beholden to the 9-5 lifestyle. In contrast the truly wealthy, can just do whatever they want with their days. They do not have to be anywhere. This level of freedom is the major distinguishing factor. Worrying about the doctor’s salary vs the clerk’s is a distraction. They’re both in the same boat.