Jeff Bezos’ Annual Salary is Just $80,000, But He Earned $8 Million Every Hour in 2023-2024
Washington:Jeff Bezos*, the founder of *Amazon* and the third richest person in the world, earns a modest annual salary of just $80,000. However, his real wealth has skyrocketed through Amazon’s stock holdings. Reports indicate that between 2023 and 2024, Bezos earned nearly $8 million every hour.
Bezos, who owns around 10% of Amazon, explained that he felt this ownership stake was sufficient, and he did not need a higher salary. In an interview with *The New York Times*, Bezos reflected on his unique approach, saying, “Founders are ‘owner-operators,’ and they build their wealth not by acquiring more equity, but by increasing the value of their existing holdings.”
When questioned about his relatively low salary, Bezos explained, “I was the founder, and I already owned a large part of the company. I didn’t feel the need for more. I had enough incentive. I owned more than 10% at first, and at the very beginning, I owned over 20%. I felt that was enough.”
He further emphasized that founders, who typically own a significant portion of their companies, often do not require extra salaries. Instead, they grow their wealth by increasing the value of their company’s equity.
In the interview, Bezos also suggested that there should be a global ranking of individuals who generate the most wealth for others. He pointed out that Amazon’s market value stands at $2.3 trillion, while his personal net worth is approximately $200 billion. Bezos noted that through his ventures, he has created around $2.1 trillion in wealth for others, making him deserving of a high ranking in this category.
As of 2023, Bezos’ net worth was $107 billion, and by 2024, it increased to $177 billion – a $70 billion jump. This growth translates to Bezos earning an estimated $8 million per hour in 2024.
