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.

Who makes the most on Wall Street? ›

Lawyers have become quasibankers amid a rise in private equity deals, out-earning their banking peers on Wall Street by multiples, according to an analysis by The Wall Street Journal.

Who earns the most in the stock market? ›

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala

He was a well-known and helpful stock market expert in India. Rakesh, the son of a salaried officer, entered the stock market after graduating as a contractual bookkeeper. After that, he was a stock trader. He amassed over Rs 15,000 crore in assets from a small investment of Rs 5,000.

Who is the stock market king? ›

Rakesh Radheyshyam Jhunjhunwala (5 July 1960 – 14 August 2022) was an Indian billionaire investor, stock trader, and Chartered Accountant.

Who are the richest people on Wall Street? ›

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.

Has anyone become a millionaire from stocks? ›

Investing in the stock market remains one of the most tangible ways to become a millionaire. It is available to everyone, and it does not require luck, a rich family background or entrepreneurial genius. The only differentiating factor is the number of years it takes every individual to get to those million dollars.

What bank is for billionaires? ›

JP Morgan Private Bank

“J.P. Morgan Private Bank is the more elite program serving ultra-high-net-worth individuals,” Naghibi said. “It offers comprehensive services in savings, checking and retirement account management.

Who is the youngest finance billionaire? ›

Clemente was at one time the world's youngest billionaire (at the age of 18), but he has since aged out of that title, which is now held by Livia Voigt.

Who is the super rich stock guy? ›

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.

How much do Top Wall Street lawyers make? ›

Some high performers at top firms earn more than $15 million, and an elite few get well over $20 million.

Who is the highest paid investment banker? ›

1. Goldman Sachs is the highest paying bank overall - $398k in combined salaries and bonuses, on average. Goldman Sachs, which paid average salaries of $200k and average bonuses of $199k for 2023, was the highest paying bank we polled.

How much do guys on Wall Street make? ›

As a first-year investment banking analyst at bulge bracket firms such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Morgan Stanley, and middle-market banks such as Jefferies, William Blair, and KPMG, the average starting investment banking salary is $90,000 with bonuses bringing total average compensation to $165,000.

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