With all of this constant whining about the 'Top 1%" making so much money and the rest of us making so little, we should realize that 35% of all our tax income comes from that 1%. With that in mind, 45% of individuals (or married couples) pay no tax. No tax, 0%! Many of the very rich, who actually run industry, could alter their individual profits to allow for higher salaries down the employment chain, however lots of them get their money from investment income, not business profit or salaries. So, if you want to be rich, study hard in school, work hard to get a job and invest wisely.