Let's say that you get paid $100k for 5 years, then $150k for 5 years, and then $200k for 5 years. Nominal. So you take home $80k, $120k, $150k. You invest h

Let's say that you get paid $100k for 5 years, then $150k for 5 years, and then $200k for 5 years. Nominal. So you take home $80k, $120k, $150k. You invest half of your take-home salary, so $40k, $60k, $75k. You invest everything at 4% real return. That about $1 million after those fifteen years. It's....... pretty rich, sure. It's also a LOT of savings. I'd say it's possible to get rich on salary if your salary gets high early and fast, or by the time you retire, maybe less so in fifteen years.