Steven Sarowitz
Source of wealth: Payroll software
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The scale of their wealth
Health
The price of life
Let's compare Steven Sarowitz's fortune with the healthcare spending of a massive country
Steven Sarowitz could fund the entire healthcare system of DR Congo, with a population of over 105,800,000 people, for approximately 0.8 years.
But even if we compare their fortune with that of a rich country
On the other end, Steven Sarowitz could cover the healthcare spending of Luxembourg, considered the most heavily funded healthcare system in the world, for 0.3 years.
Education
Buying the future
Let's also compare their fortune with education spending, first with a poor country
Steven Sarowitz could cover the total cost of Nigeria's education system, the most populous country in Africa with over 243,000,000 inhabitants, for 0.5 years.
And yes, we can also compare it with a rich country
But they couldn't just cover the cost of a poor country; Luxembourg is considered the country with the highest per capita investment in education in the world, and Steven Sarowitz could pay for it entirely for 0.7 years.
Research
The monopoly on progress
Coming full circle, we think it's also interesting to add another gigantic country
Steven Sarowitz could fully fund the state research budget of Pakistan, the fifth most populous country in the world with over 260,000,000 inhabitants, for 2.8 years.
And of course, the country that invests the most per capita worldwide
But even if we compare the total wealth of Steven Sarowitz with Israel, the country that invests the most per capita in research in the world, they could cover the total cost of the system for 0.1 years.
Gold
Everyday luxuries
Steven Sarowitz's fortune is equivalent to 12 tons of gold. It's hard to process, since we don't usually keep a handful of gold bars in our piggy banks.
A standard gold ring usually weighs between 4 and 7 grams. Let's say this one weighs 5 grams. It's usually 18 karats.
Based on today's gold price (excluding the jeweler's commission, shipping, or anything else), that ring would be worth $546.86.
Steven Sarowitz could buy 3,094,800 gold rings. That's a lot of fingers and way too many gifts!!
And if you're struggling to visualize that many rings, it would take 1 trucks to transport them. Although Steven Sarowitz will almost certainly have enough money left over to pay for the gas.
Biography
Steven Sarowitz founded online payroll firm Paylocity in 1997 after working at several other payroll firms.
Sarowitz still sits on Paylocity's board but is no longer involved with its operations.
He now focuses on philanthropy and has contributed nearly $250 million to his family foundation Julian Grace and spiritually-inspired foundation Wayfarer.
Sarowitz also cofounded and co-chairs Wayfarer Studios, which produces films with inspirational messages. "It Ends with Us" starred Blake Lively and was one of the top-grossing films of 2024.
After legal controversy erupted around "It Ends with Us," Sarowitz closed his Wayfarer Foundation in 2025 to focus on private giving.
Financial Assets
Monthly wealth history
Fortune comparison
Historical data not available for comparison