Women earning in the top 1% of U.S. incomes exhibit characteristics that challenge common assumptions about success, according to recent research by Emily Riley, a digital marketing executive and founder of Riley Strategic. Her study, which surveyed 145 high-earning women making at least $775,000 annually and 347 women with six-figure incomes below that threshold, found that these elite earners are less likely to describe themselves as thick-skinned or uniquely exceptional compared to their lower-earning peers.

Riley selected the $775,000 mark as it aligns with federal data delineating the top 1% of earners in the country, a group of which only about 5% are women. Her research highlights that while high earners share traits like competitiveness, frequent salary negotiations, and a commitment to lifelong learning—many holding degrees from top-ranked institutions—other findings ran counter to prevailing stereotypes.

Notably, many women in the highest income bracket are married with multiple children, contradicting the narrative that career success at this level necessitates sacrifices in family life. Riley suggests that financial stability may help maintain family cohesion, as financial strain is often a factor in separations or decisions not to have children. The study also found that nearly 25% of these women are first-generation Americans, and about 20% experienced periods of household unemployment during childhood, rates markedly higher than among women earning lower six-figure salaries. These factors may contribute to an early drive and resilience.

“The number-one reason that women get into the 1% is drive,” Riley said. “They just stick with it. That doesn’t mean they keep working on Wall Street until midnight every night, but they find a different way.” This persistent determination appears distinct from the notion of having a thick skin.

Nancy Marzouk, a sales executive turned entrepreneur who earns about $800,000 annually, shared her experience with workplace challenges. Rather than dismissing instances of disrespect, she said those moments fueled her ambition to advance her career. “I would go into board meetings, and I would feel destroyed afterward,” Marzouk recalled. “I want to take my career further, but I don’t feel like I can.” Instead of ignoring these frustrations, she used them as motivation to establish her own company, MediaWallah, which she has led for more than a decade.

The study also highlights that self-doubt remains common among high earners. Despite professional achievements, confidence is not a given. Riley’s findings suggest that feelings associated with impostor syndrome can coexist with high performance and may, in fact, contribute to continuous improvement. This nuanced view challenges the assumption that self-assuredness is a prerequisite for success.

Overall, Riley’s research offers a complex portrait of the highest-earning women in America, emphasizing drive, resilience, and the interplay of personal and professional factors that shape their paths to financial success.