Every major path. What it actually pays.
From no credential to elite professional — what each tier actually delivers in probability of hitting $1M net worth. Not headline salary. Probability.
Assumptions throughout: 25% savings rate, 7% annual investment return on total compensation. Net worth = savings + investments (excludes home equity). These are conservative — high earners typically save 30–40%.
Tier 0a — No Degree, No Trade
Working whatever jobs are available without a credential or skilled trade.
| Career | Age to $1M | P($1M) |
|---|---|---|
| Unskilled / service work | 60–70+ | ~15% |
| Retail / food management | 55–65 | ~20% |
| Self-employed (no credential) | 45–60 | ~25% |
Without a credential, you are dependent on discipline alone to build wealth. Most people in this tier don't reach $1M net worth. The safety net is almost nonexistent.
Tier 0b — Trade School / Vocational Training
A 1–2 year investment that unlocks skilled, in-demand work.
| Career | Age to $1M | P($1M) |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician (journeyman) | 50–58 | ~45% |
| Plumber | 50–58 | ~42% |
| HVAC Technician | 52–60 | ~38% |
| Welder (specialized) | 50–60 | ~35% |
| Electrician (master / own business) | 43–52 | ~60% |
The unlock is business ownership. A journeyman electrician earning $75–$95K gets there eventually. A master electrician with their own shop billing $1M/year in contracts gets there much faster. The trade credential is cheap to get and the ceiling is real.
Tier 1 — Any College Degree
Any major, any school (including community college → 4-year transfer). The credential matters most at this tier — not the subject.
| Career | Age to $1M | P($1M) |
|---|---|---|
| Any bachelor's degree | 50–62 | ~48% |
| Liberal arts / humanities | 52–62 | ~42% |
| Education / social work | 55–65 | ~35% |
| Any degree + side business | 40–52 | ~58% |
Even the "weakest" college degree puts you on a career track with employer credibility, higher starting income, and compounding salary growth. Over 30 years, that gap versus no credential is enormous.
Tier 2 — Strategic Major
Choosing a field with a direct income-to-job pipeline increases the timeline dramatically.
| Career | Age to $1M | P($1M) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | 44–54 | ~62% |
| Accountant (CPA) | 42–52 | ~65% |
| Software Engineer (avg company) | 40–50 | ~68% |
| Data Analyst | 44–54 | ~58% |
| Financial Analyst | 42–50 | ~65% |
| Civil / Mechanical Engineer | 42–52 | ~62% |
The unlock is the pipeline. These majors have clear job-to-income ratios, demand is high, and the income compounds predictably. The ceiling is not as high as Tier 3, but the probability is.
Tier 3 — Elite Professional Path
Requires the right school, preparation, and execution — but dramatically accelerates the timeline.
| Career | Age to $1M | P($1M) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Equity / Hedge Fund | 27–31 | ~88% |
| Investment Banking (BB/EB) | 28–32 | ~85% |
| BigLaw Attorney | 29–33 | ~82% |
| Software Engineer (FAANG) | 30–34 | ~80% |
| Management Consulting (MBB) | 31–35 | ~78% |
| Product Manager (FAANG) | 32–37 | ~75% |
This is what makes Tier 3 especially valuable: even the "failure" cases are financially solid. A BigLaw associate who burns out and leaves for an in-house role earns $150–$300K. An IB analyst who leaves after 2 years lands in corporate finance at $120–$200K. The floor of Tier 3 is often higher than the ceiling of Tier 1.