[VirusNewbie]

>In the late 90s, early 00s

Right, but in the late 90s and early 2000s, unless you were a manager climbing the ranks, you weren't making big bucks.

Even folks at Microsoft, which at the time was one of the most dominant software companies, were only millionaires if they joined pre-IPO. The company wasn't minting IC millionaires.

Now you have a whole host of FAANGMULA companies that do mint millionaires if you stay long enough and get your full vest, and don't get totally unlucky on the timing of RSU grants.