OK, there are lawful and unlawful way to make a million dollars.. An unlawful way, for example is selling drugs.. A legal way might be real estate. . Almost any sales job pays more than an hourly job. . . On the other hand, if you want to earn a million over the course of a lifetime, $12.50/hr X 40 hours a week, for 40 years is a million (gross). . . The lottery doesn't count.