From $2 per share to a $1.75 trillion giant: How Elon Musk's SpaceX could make employees millionaires overnight

Thousands of employees at Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX are on the verge of seeing their fortunes change dramatically overnight, reports The Wall Street Journal. As SpaceX moves closer to a historic public listing, stock grants that once seemed like a long-term bet are now worth life-changing sums, turning engineers, welders, mariners and other staff members into potential millionaires almost overnight.

From $2 to $135: The Stock Growth Behind the Millionaire-Making Moment

For years, SpaceX compensated many employees not only with salaries but also with company shares. When those stock awards were issued, some were valued at less than $2 per share. Today, the company's proposed IPO price of $135 per share reflects a valuation of roughly $1.75 trillion, making SpaceX one of the most valuable companies in the world.

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The result is a massive wealth transfer to employees who held onto their stock through years of rapid growth in the launch and satellite internet businesses. SpaceX's proposed IPO price of $135 per share would represent a nearly 68-fold increase in value.

The 27-Year-Old Engineer Who Could Join the Millionaire Club

One of the most talked-about stories is that of 27-year-old Maryellyn Musselman, a former engineering officer who worked aboard a SpaceX recovery vessel. "I think it will be an 11th-hour decision," the former SpaceX engineering officer told WSJ.

"Mariners are not usually stock owners in their companies, they're not always under benefits."


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According to reports, Musselman not only received SpaceX stock as part of her compensation package but also invested 10% of every paycheck into additional company shares during her time at sea. That decision could now pay off in a spectacular way, potentially making her a millionaire as the company's valuation surges.

Her story highlights how employee stock ownership can create wealth far beyond a regular paycheck, especially when workers continue buying shares alongside company-issued grants.

From Welders to Engineers, Wealth Creation Across the Workforce

The expected windfall is not limited to senior executives. A Wall Street Journal report noted that employees across different roles have accumulated significant holdings over the years. Former engineer J. André Lavoie is reportedly expecting a windfall worth tens of millions of dollars, while former welder Juan Hernandez built a valuable stock position that helped him launch a real-estate business.

J. André Lavoie, former SpaceX engineer, said, "I don't want to just die with a pile of money in the bank. Every year the shares have been going up so radically it keeps messing up my life plans."


"I didn't even know what SpaceX was when my friend was talking about it, but the money was sufficient at the time. It's put me in a comfortable position for life," Juan Hernandez, former SpaceX welder said.

What Makes This IPO Different?

SpaceX's planned public offering is unusual in both size and structure. The company is aiming to raise about $75 billion through a fixed-price IPO at $135 per share, a move that would rank among the largest stock market debuts ever.

The company has also earmarked a portion of IPO shares for selected employees and waived some traditional restrictions, giving certain workers earlier access to liquidity than is common in many public offerings.

Not Everyone Can Cash Out Immediately

While the numbers are eye-catching, most employees will not be able to sell all their shares on day one. Various lock-up and phased selling arrangements are expected to govern when stock can be sold after the listing. However, even with those restrictions, many workers will see their net worth rise dramatically on paper as soon as the IPO is completed.

A Rare Wealth-Creation Story in Corporate America

The SpaceX story is becoming one of the most striking examples of employee wealth creation in modern corporate history. Workers who joined the company years before its meteoric rise are now poised to benefit from one of the biggest valuation jumps ever seen in the private technology sector.

For employees like Maryellyn Musselman, who consistently invested a portion of every paycheck into the company, the upcoming listing could be the moment when years of patience and belief in SpaceX turn into life-changing wealth.

(With TOI inputs)