Get All Access for $5/mo

'Pressure Cooker': Why Millionaire Nvidia Employees Are Still Working Until 2 a.m. In a new report, current and former Nvidia employees gave insight into the work culture at the chip-maker, including long hours, lots of yelling, and unbelievable bank accounts.

By Sherin Shibu Edited by Melissa Malamut

Key Takeaways

  • Nvidia is an AI chipmaker with a market cap of over $3 trillion.
  • A new report reveals that though Nvidia’s boom may have created millionaires among its staff, its expectations for those employees haven't changed with current and former employees detailing its "pressure cooker" work culture.
  • A June poll of over 3,000 Nvidia employees (out of around 30,000) showed that 76% were millionaires.

What is it like to work at Nvidia, the $3 trillion AI chipmaker with a storied work culture over 30 years in the making?

Long-time CEO Jensen Huang said in an interview this year that he rarely conducts layoffs and instead prefers to "torture employees into greatness." It turns out, he might not have been joking.

Being the AI chip brain behind ChatGPT and other popular forms of AI has led Nvidia — and its vested employees — to benefit financially from the AI boom. A June poll of over 3,000 Nvidia employees (out of around 30,000) showed that 76% were millionaires and one in three had a net worth of more than $20 million because of the company's growth. Since October 2022, Nvidia's stock has jumped over 1,000%.

However, a Monday Bloomberg report revealed that though Nvidia's boom may have created millionaires, its work culture and expectations for those employees remain the same: It's a "pressure cooker."

Related: Nvidia and the Magnificent Seven Have 'Immense Returns,' but Strategists Say There Are Risks

Ten current and former Nvidia employees who spoke with Bloomberg detailed long working hours, yelling and fighting at meetings, and vying for the attention of a supervisor who could have more than 100 other direct reports.

A former enterprise tech support employee claimed he worked every day, including weekends, until 1 a.m. or 2 a.m., and that his engineer coworkers worked longer hours. Other employees claimed to have at least seven meetings a day.

Employees who worked less than the norm were called out at company-wide meetings. In December, Huang faced complaints from staff about their "semi-retired" peers. He responded by asking every employee to become the CEO of their time.

Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang. Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Still, despite reports of a stressful work environment, Nvidia has had no trouble retaining employees. The company's sustainability report for fiscal year 2024 details that overall turnover was 2.7% compared to the industry average of 17.7%.

Nvidia's low turnover rate could be attributed to the way it gives employees access to stock grants. The stock vests over four years, so an employee gradually gains ownership of the award. So it's in the employee's best interest to stick with the company to maximize benefits.

Nvidia is also a famously "flat" organization, with minimal hierarchy, which could make the company an appealing choice. Huang has 60 direct reports.

Related: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Turned Down a Merger Offer in the Company's Early Days, According to Insiders. Here's Why.

Sherin Shibu

Entrepreneur Staff

News Reporter

Sherin Shibu is a business news reporter at Entrepreneur.com. She previously worked for PCMag, Business Insider, The Messenger, and ZDNET as a reporter and copyeditor. Her areas of coverage encompass tech, business, strategy, finance, and even space. She is a Columbia University graduate.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Science & Technology

5 Automation Strategies Every Small Business Should Follow

It's time we make IT automation work for us: streamline processes, boost efficiency and drive growth with the right tools and strategy.

Business News

Former Steve Jobs Intern Says This Is How He Would Have Approached AI

The former intern is now the CEO of AI and data company DataStax.

Leadership

Visionaries or Vague Promises? Why Companies Fail Without Leaders Who See Beyond the Bottom Line

Visionary leaders turn bold ideas into lasting impact by building resilience, clarity and future-ready teams.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Employee Experience & Recruiting

There's a Growing Demand For This New Type of Professional — Here's Why Your Startup Needs Them, Too.

As startups evolve, a new breed of talent — the "boulder climber" — is emerging: adaptable professionals who balance strategic vision with hands-on execution. Learn why these versatile hires are redefining success in lean, agile teams.