This largely depends on what you are looking for. The Freemasons are a catchment to funnel the worthy to higher places. Most people remain on the lower rungs and do not advance very far. How far you advance is up to you and your personal ambition. At each level you have to prove that you can keep secrets, to become eligible for advancement. The real power of the world is at the higher levels. If you advance to the 33rd degree, princes, kings and presidents will perform the ritual of initiation into it. The Illuminati are all members of the council of the 33rd degree. Depending on your ability, drive and desire it can take as little as five years to reach the 33rd. Usually you have to have proved yourself as a "Worshipful Master", but it is not mandatory, because if a lodge is very large, you simply may not have had the opportunity to be elected to that office.