Ever wondered how many people it takes to run one of the largest and most diverse companies in the world? You might be surprised by the answer, especially when you consider that the corporate headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, is known for being remarkably lean. Let's dive into the fascinating details of Berkshire Hathaway's workforce.
Step 1: Understand the Berkshire Hathaway Model
First, let's get on the same page about what Berkshire Hathaway actually is. It's not a single company that makes one product. Instead, it's a massive conglomerate—a holding company that owns a vast and diverse collection of subsidiary businesses. Think of it as a financial umbrella sheltering a wide array of companies, from insurance giants to railroads and candy makers.
Imagine a massive, sprawling family business with hundreds of different cousins, aunts, and uncles, all working in different industries. That's essentially Berkshire Hathaway. Each of these subsidiary companies operates largely independently, with its own management team, its own operations, and most importantly, its own employees.
So, when you ask "how many people work at Berkshire Hathaway," you're not just asking about the few dozen people at the corporate office. You're asking about the cumulative workforce of hundreds of companies under the Berkshire umbrella.
 |
| How Many People Work At Berkshire Hathaway |
Step 2: Unpacking the Employee Numbers
Now that we've established the structure, let's look at the numbers. The total employee count for Berkshire Hathaway is a figure that reflects the combined workforce of all its subsidiaries.
Sub-heading: The Latest Figures
According to the most recent available data, in the fiscal year 2024, Berkshire Hathaway's total number of employees was approximately 392,400. This number reflects a slight decrease of about 4,100 employees from the previous fiscal year, 2023, where the employee count was around 396,500.
Tip: Don’t just scroll — pause and absorb.
Sub-heading: A Historical Perspective
To truly appreciate the scale, it's helpful to look at the trend over time. The company's workforce has seen significant growth over the past decade, reflecting its continued acquisitions and expansion.
2024: 392,400
2023: 396,500
2022: 383,000
2021: 372,000
2020: 360,000
2019: 391,500
2018: 389,000
2017: 377,000
2016: 367,700
2015: 331,000
As you can see, the employee count has generally been on an upward trajectory, with a notable dip in 2020, likely influenced by the global economic situation, and the recent slight decrease in 2024.
Step 3: The Incredible Corporate Office
This is where the story gets really interesting and truly exemplifies the unique management style of Warren Buffett.
Sub-heading: A Tiny Team at the Top
Despite overseeing a workforce of nearly 400,000 people and a conglomerate worth over a trillion dollars, the corporate headquarters of Berkshire Hathaway is famously, incredibly small. It's a testament to the decentralized nature of the business. As of the end of 2024, the corporate office in Omaha, Nebraska, had only around 27 employees.
Yes, you read that right. A company with hundreds of thousands of employees globally is run from a headquarters with a staff smaller than a typical small business.
Sub-heading: Why the Small Corporate Team?
Tip: Summarize each section in your own words.
The reason behind this lean operation is central to Warren Buffett's philosophy. He believes in buying well-run businesses and leaving the existing management in place. He doesn't want to get involved in the day-to-day operations. Instead, he trusts the leaders of each subsidiary to run their businesses effectively. This hands-off approach allows for efficiency and empowers the individual companies, while the corporate office focuses on capital allocation and strategic oversight.
Step 4: A Look at Key Subsidiaries
To give you a better idea of where all those hundreds of thousands of employees work, here's a look at some of Berkshire Hathaway's major subsidiaries:
 |
BNSF Railway: This is one of the largest freight railroad networks in North America and employs tens of thousands of people.
GEICO: The well-known insurance company has a massive workforce of its own, from agents to claims adjusters and corporate staff.
Berkshire Hathaway Energy: This energy powerhouse, which includes utilities and pipelines, has a large and skilled workforce.
Marmon Holdings: This is a diverse group of manufacturing and service businesses with employees across a wide range of industries.
McLane Company: A supply chain services company, it employs thousands of people in distribution and logistics.
These are just a few examples. The portfolio is incredibly broad and includes companies like Duracell, Fruit of the Loom, Dairy Queen, and many, many more. Each one contributes to that staggering total employee count.
10 Related FAQs
How to find out the exact number of employees at Berkshire Hathaway?
You can find the official employee count in Berkshire Hathaway's annual reports and SEC filings (10-K). These documents provide a detailed breakdown of the company's financials, including employee numbers, for the fiscal year.
How to get a job at Berkshire Hathaway?
QuickTip: Pause at lists — they often summarize.
To get a job, you typically apply directly to one of its many subsidiary companies, as the corporate office has a very small staff. Visit the websites of companies like GEICO, BNSF Railway, or See's Candies and check their careers pages.
How to understand the difference between Berkshire Hathaway's corporate staff and total employees?
The corporate staff are the few dozen people working at the headquarters in Omaha, led by Warren Buffett. The total employees are the combined workforce of all the hundreds of businesses that Berkshire Hathaway owns and operates.
How to interpret the decrease in employee count from 2023 to 2024?
A slight decrease in the total employee count can be due to various factors, such as divestitures of a subsidiary, changes in business operations within a subsidiary, or economic fluctuations that lead to a slight reduction in workforce.
How to see a list of all Berkshire Hathaway subsidiaries?
A comprehensive list of Berkshire Hathaway's subsidiaries can be found on the official Berkshire Hathaway website and in its annual reports.
How to contact Berkshire Hathaway's corporate office?
QuickTip: A slow read reveals hidden insights.
While you can find their contact information on their website, it's important to remember that the corporate office is not set up to handle general inquiries due to its small size. They primarily focus on high-level corporate functions.
How to work with Warren Buffett directly?
Working directly with Warren Buffett is highly unlikely for most people, given the tiny corporate staff. His focus is on capital allocation and high-level strategy, not day-to-day management of the subsidiaries.
How to compare Berkshire Hathaway's employee count to other conglomerates?
You can compare Berkshire's employee count to other large conglomerates by looking at their respective annual reports or financial data on business intelligence platforms. The numbers can vary significantly based on the industries and size of their holdings.
How to calculate revenue per employee for Berkshire Hathaway?
To calculate the approximate revenue per employee, you would divide the company's total annual revenue by its total number of employees for that year. For example, in 2024, the revenue was roughly $424.23 billion and the employee count was 392,400. The calculation would be: $424,230,000,000 / 392,400 ≈ $1,081,000 per employee.
How to learn more about the management philosophy of Berkshire Hathaway?
The best way to learn about the management philosophy is to read Warren Buffett's annual letters to shareholders, which are available for free on the Berkshire Hathaway website. They are a treasure trove of wisdom on business, investing, and management.
 |
