6 of the Highest Paid People on Wall Street (2024)

The stock market is a volatile place that requires patience, risk tolerance, and thorough research. And those who make it to the top of Wall Street are also likely to be among the richest people in the world. Today's top investors share a strategy for financial success: They all took calculated, high stakes risks in hedge funds. Here are six of Wall Street's top earners and the hedge funds they manage.

Key Takeaways

  • Certain billionaires made their fortunes in the stock market.
  • The list includes John Paulson, Warren Buffett, James Simons, Ray Dalio, Carl Icahn, and Dan Loeb.
  • Buffett is by far the richest person of these six famous investors, with a net worth of $116 billion.

1. John Paulson

Unlike most people, John Paulson benefited from the mortgage crisis. Back in 2006, he was already predicting the housing market crash and created two hedge funds dedicated to betting against subprime mortgages. His hedge fund, Paulson & Co.—founded in 1994—had assets under management that topped $36 billion at its peak. In 2020, he announced plans to convert Paulson & Co. into a family office and return money to outside investors and has a net worth of $4 billion.

2. Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett, nicknamed the "Oracle of Omaha" is considered one of the greatest investors of all time. He is one of the top 10 richest people in the world with a net worth of $116.5 billion. Buffett is the chairman and largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A), which owns over 60 companies, including Geico and Dairy Queen.

3. James Simons

This mathematician turned hedge fund manager has a net worth of over $24 billion, founding his hedge fund Renaissance Technologies LLC in the early 80s after teaching at Harvard, cracking codes for the U.S. Defense Department, and earning a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley. His key to success has been trading algorithms and computers. Simons retired in 2010, but he continues to support autism research and has a nonprofit called Math for America.

4. Ray Dalio

Ray Dalio is the founder and chief investment officer (CIO) of Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund—which manages $154 billion. Many credit his untraditional management approach, which calls for complete honesty, accountability, and transparency from himself and all of his employees, as his secret to success. Dalio made his first investment at age 12 and started Bridgewater in 1975. Dalio has a net worth of $20 billion.

5. Carl Icahn

Carl Icahn has a net worth of almost $17 billion. Icahn runs the publicly-traded investment vehicle Icahn Enterprises. He advised the Trump Administration on regulatory overhaul during the first few months of Donald Trump taking office. His trademark is buying out fledging companies and turning them around.

6. Daniel Loeb

Daniel Loeb is known for writing no-holds-barred letters to the CEOs of companies that he is invested in when he feels they aren't bringing him big enough returns. Loeb graduated from Columbia University in 1983. His hedge fund, Third Point Management, manages roughly $19 billion. Loeb has a net worth of $4 billion.

6 of the Highest Paid People on Wall Street (2024)

FAQs

6 of the Highest Paid People on Wall Street? ›

The list includes John Paulson, Warren Buffett, James Simons, Ray Dalio

Ray Dalio
Raymond Thomas Dalio (born August 8, 1949) is an American investor and hedge fund manager, who has served as co-chief investment officer of the world's largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, since 1985. He founded Bridgewater in 1975 in New York. New York City, U.S.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Ray_Dalio
, Carl Icahn, and Dan Loeb. Buffett is by far the richest person of these six famous investors, with a net worth of $116 billion.

How much do people make on Wall Street? ›

The average WALL STREET OPTIONS salary ranges from approximately $83,707 per year for Senior Fund Accountant to $447,248 per year for Senior Investment Analyst. Average WALL STREET OPTIONS hourly pay ranges from approximately $59.18 per hour for Client Services Specialist to $104 per hour for Senior Investment Analyst.

Who is the rich guy on Wall Street? ›

Warren Edward Buffett (/ˈbʌfɪt/ BUF-it; born August 30, 1930) is an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist who currently serves as the co-founder, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. As a result of his investment success, Buffett is one of the best-known investors in the world.

What degree do you need to work on Wall Street? ›

What Degrees Can Get You a Job on Wall Street? Typically, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree in a business or math-related major to work on Wall Street. Such majors include finance, business management, economics, accounting, statistics, mathematics, or even computer science.

Who are Wall Street investors? ›

Wall Street investors are the ones with financial expertise and large amounts of assets under management. Main Street investors may stereotype Wall Street investors like the ones who are trying to manipulate the market to gain abundant profits.

How much money is enough Wall Street? ›

Bud Fox : How much is enough? Gordon Gekko : It's not a question of enough, pal. It's a zero sum game, somebody wins, somebody loses. Money itself isn't lost or made, it's simply transferred from one perception to another.

What is the highest paid job in Wall Street? ›

This blog lists the 15 highest-paying jobs in finance to help aspiring professionals understand industry trends better.
  1. Chief Financial Officer. ...
  2. Investment Banker. ...
  3. Budget Analyst. ...
  4. Budget Director. ...
  5. Tax Director. ...
  6. Tax Director. ...
  7. Hedge Fund Manager. ...
  8. Investment Portfolio Manager.

Who is the most successful person on Wall Street? ›

Key Takeaways
  • Certain billionaires made their fortunes in the stock market.
  • The list includes John Paulson, Warren Buffett, James Simons, Ray Dalio, Carl Icahn, and Dan Loeb.
  • Buffett is by far the richest person of these six famous investors, with a net worth of $116 billion.

Who was the biggest scammer on Wall Street? ›

Bernie Madoff
Known forBeing the chairman of Nasdaq and the Madoff investment scandal
Criminal statusDeceased
SpouseRuth Madoff ​ ( m. 1959)​
ChildrenMark Andrew
12 more rows

Who owns Wall Street? ›

The WSJ is a division of Dow Jones, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.

What is the most common job on Wall Street? ›

Financial Analyst

Financial analyst is one of the most popular entry-level Wall Street jobs and has a high demand. They collect and analyze data, present it to management and help make decisions. Some analysts move on to more senior roles, while others remain analysts for their careers.

What GPA do I need for Wall Street? ›

A GPA of a 3.7+ can make up for weaker experience, but is by no means a gimme. Banks prefer good experience to good GPAs (subject to a minimum in the 3.3-3.5 range).

Is it hard to get a job at Wall Street? ›

Because of the above-average compensation, the finance industry has little trouble attracting talented professionals who want to become analysts, traders or managers. Like any industry, there are no set rules for getting a foot in the door. That said, there are a few tried and true paths to a career on the Street.

Who is the richest person from stocks? ›

The Oracle of Omaha

93-year-old Warren Buffett heads the list. The chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway has a net worth of $128.7 billion. Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway portfolio is 62% invested in only three stocks: Apple (42.9%), Bank of America (10.2%) and American Express (9.1%).

Do billionaires use stock brokers? ›

A billionaire may use some or all of these services, but for buying stocks, they may use a prime brokerage specifically to borrow securities for short selling (making money from stocks when they go down) or borrowing large amounts of money to buy stocks on margin.

Has anyone gotten rich from stocks? ›

Yes, you can become a millionaire from stocks. However, it's not easy and it takes a lot of time. That's why you need the right strategy – such as buying and holding stocks and consistently investing. If you follow the right strategy, making money in the stock market can be easier than you think.

Do Wall Street brokers make a lot of money? ›

Stockbroker Pay Basics

For 2021, BLS says the median pay for securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents came to $62,910 per year.

What is the average Wall Street bonus? ›

The Average Bonus on Wall Street Last Year Was $176,500. That's Down Slightly From 2022.

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