If you took all the players who have reached NM level-

And averaged out the time it took them to reach that level, how long do you think it took.

20 years.

Now I have one for you!

If you took all the NMs, and told them that they now have to be rated 2500 to have the title, how many would go duck shooting?

It depends on whether they hear an echo when he speaks.

 I doubt it would be that long.

Okay, I thought I was just too "buzzed" yesterday, but I still don't understand what you mean, mrguy888? Is the "echo" a duck call?

There is a (false) myth that ducks don't echo. I am saying that more would go duck shooting if they had reason to believe the one telling them they were no longer good enough to have a title might possibly be a duck.

Got it now, thanks!

I would guess seven years on average from when they started to play rated USCF games to achieve the title. The ten years (on average) they have had the title "NM" they have spent on consolidating their elite status while making no visible chess progress whatsoever.

Of course, facts will contradict with my observations.

Seven years on average for NM sounds fast. In France you would expect most players to play at least 5 years to reach 2000 elo, so only two more years to get to a 2200 level is really quick.

Maybe the best can achieve this, but I doubt it's an average...I wouldn't be surprised if 12-15 years is closer to the truth. 

 Reb said it took him eleven years, and I think Tonydal said about 13 years, if I remember right.

And what is the average number of hours per day spent for chess in these years?

: - )

 Don't know, but I just remembered it took Kacparov nine years to reach CM.

Ok at least do you know whether it was part time or full time?

But, we have grandmasters starting from the age 12. They might be doing their schooling also during this time. And I think they wouldn't start playing chess earlier than age 3. So, that means the average is too distant from the best. Right?

He played first FIDE-rated game in 2005 so that's a lot less than nine years

Only one player has ever achieved Grandmaster before the age of 13.

In any case, the OP asked about NM, not GM. All these players that are becoming GM between the ages of 13 and 18 are becoming NM much earlier than that.

 I meant from when he first started playing. He told once that he started playing when was five. As for time spent studying, I would imagine at least two or three hours a day. But not spending all their time studying chess.

Off the top of my head, I can name 2 players who made GM before 13: Judit Polgar and Karjakin. I also think Fischer and Morozevich made GM before 13.

Fischer made GM at age 15 I believe. 

Karjakin was indeed 12 years old (+7 months I think) but...

Polgar and Fischer were both 15 and Moro was more like 17...