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When you think of the top 1% of American earners, the first people who might come to mind are likely well-known investors and entrepreneurs like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates — but it might surprise you to learn that those ultra-wealthy Americans make up just 0.001% of the population.
Landing in the top 10% can be a fairly attainable goal for upwardly mobile Americans. A study published by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) in 2022 found that the average earnings of those in the top 10% were roughly $169,639 in 2021.
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Salaries start to jump significantly the closer you get to the top 1%. You’ll start to see dramatic shifts in the top 5%, where the EPI found the average earners significantly increased to $335,891 in 2021, up from $322,349 the year before.
While the income of the top 1% varies, Forbes reported in 2023 that the bracket’s minimum net worth is much higher — a cool $11.1 million. Finding your way into these financial brackets isn’t impossible, especially if you use these three simple money-optimizing tactics.
3. Put your cash to work
If you think of savings as a seed, the best thing you can do to help them grow is to find some solid soil to plant them in.
A certificate of deposit (CD) can be a great place to start. A CD is a low-risk savings option that can yield interest comparable to, or even higher than, the top savings accounts. The trade-off for this higher rate is that your money stays locked in the account for a set period.
But which CD and what term should you choose?
With MyBankTracker you can shop and compare top certificates of deposit rates from various banks nationwide.
Their extensive database shows the most competitive rates, with daily rate updates and personalized recommendations based on your risk preferences and time horizon so you can find the right CD to meet your retirement savings goals.
If you want to make the most of your accessible cash, make sure your everyday bank account is working for you.
For example, SoFi’s checking and savings account can help you make the most of your everyday cash flow. The two-in-one account offers up to 3.80% APY on savings balances and 0.50% on checking account balances.
You can enjoy no-fee overdraft protection, early paycheck deposits, and access to over 55,000 ATMs within the Allpoint network.
Speaking of deposits, sign up now and you can earn a bonus up to $300 for setting up direct deposit.
If you’re still trying to decide where to park your hard-earned cash, don’t just let it sit in a low- or no-interest checking account.
Check out the Moneywise list of Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of 2025 so you can have a streamlined look at what high-yield savings account is best for your savings to grow over time.
Every little bit counts as you climb your way up the ladder to your preferred wealth bracket.
2. Diversify your portfolio
Now that you’ve made sure your savings are optimized, you can look at your investments.
While you might not have the same resources as investing legends like Warren Buffett or Bill Gates, your wealth status doesn’t have to stop you from building a diversified portfolio and increasing your financial standing.
But how should you diversify?
Automate your saving and investing
If you are just starting to build your portfolio or you just want an easy way to diversify it, there’s a way to build your portfolio without even thinking about it, simply by making your daily purchases.
With Wealthfront’s automated investing platform, the power of compound interest works for you. Their sophisticated "set it and forget it" approach means your money is professionally managed and automatically rebalanced, allowing your wealth to grow steadily over time.
Start investing for the long term with globally diversified portfolios or go for a higher yield than a traditional savings account with an automated bond portfolio.
Open your account today and receive a $50 bonus to jumpstart your investment journey. Whether you’re saving for retirement, a home, or building generational wealth, Wealthfront’s low-cost, automated investment strategy can help you achieve your financial goals.
Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
Real estate
Federal Reserve data also shows that the top 1% of Americans hold over $6 trillion in real estate assets.
Real estate has long been considered a solid portfolio hedge, as rent and property values tend to increase with inflation. It’s no surprise that high-net-worth individuals — regardless of their age — see opportunity in this asset.
With the rising popularity of real estate crowdfunding platforms, you can diversify your portfolio with real estate at almost any wealth level.
If you are still a few income brackets from the top 10%, you can invest in real estate without having to pay a high price to buy and manage an investment property
For example, With Arrived, you can add rental properties to your investment portfolio for as little as $100 without needing to do any of the heavy lifting or legwork associated with being a landlord.
Arrived’s easy-to-use platform offers SEC-qualified investments such as rental homes and vacation rentals.
Its flexible investment amounts and simplified process allows accredited and non-accredited investors to take advantage of this inflation-hedging asset class without any extra work, like paying for maintenance or securing tenants.
Here’s how it works: You can start by browsing a curated selection of homes, vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, choose the number of shares you want to buy.
If you are a few more rungs up the ladder toward the top 1% and you’ve achieved the title of accredited investor, you may want to consider commercial real estate as part of your expanded portfolio. CBRE, the world’s biggest commercial real estate firm, anticipates a boost to commercial real estate activity and values. They’re expecting a 15-20% increase in transactions.
First National Realty Partners (FNRP) offers accredited investors access to quality retail-anchored real estate investments, without the legwork of finding deals yourself.
The FNRP team has developed relationships with shopping centers and health-care facilities across the U.S., as well as the nation’s largest essential-needs brands, including Kroger, Walmart and Whole Foods.
They also offer white-glove service for investors, providing key market insights and finding the best properties both on and off-market, while investors can passively collect distribution income.
You can engage with experts, explore available deals and easily make an allocation, all in one personalized secure portal.
1. Work with a professional
Sometimes, accepting that you need help is the first step to getting a hold on your finances or boosting them to a new level — especially if you’re aiming to reach the top 1%.
With Advisor.com, you can find the right financial professional to help you fulfill your wealth goals. It’s a free service that helps you find the right financial advisor for you,by matching you with a small list of the best options for you to choose from.
Set up a free, no-obligation consultation with one of their pre-screened financial advisors today.
What to read next
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- Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
- Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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