Top 8 Highest-Paid CEOs in the U.S. in 2025: Salaries Revealed

The increase in compensation for chief executive officers (CEOs) at the largest U.S. companies continues, according to the 2024 edition of the Equilar 100. The median CEO pay rose to $23.7 million, an increase of 11.4% for the same group of companies from the previous year.

According to Equilar, the rise in CEO compensation was mainly due to the increase in the value of stock awards. Median stock awards grew by 20.9% in 2023, from $12.6 million to $15.3 million.

“Among Equilar 100 CEOs in 2023, stock awards made up nearly 65% of median total compensation,” the report notes. “Additionally, total cash compensation increased by roughly 4% to $6.1 million, with cash bonuses increasing by 2.4% to $3.9 million.”

So, how much do CEOs make at the largest U.S. companies? Are they overpaid or fairly compensated? We have compiled a list of top chief executive officers’ salaries to see who sets the highest bar.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Average CEO Salary in the U.S. in 2025
3. Top 8 Highest-Paid CEOs
4. Elon Musk Is Not the Highest-Paid CEO in the World
5. $1 Salary Club
6. The Bottom Line
7. FAQs
8. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Average CEO Salary in the U.S. in 2025
3. Top 8 Highest-Paid CEOs
Show Full Guide
4. Elon Musk Is Not the Highest-Paid CEO in the World
5. $1 Salary Club
6. The Bottom Line
7. FAQs
8. References

Average CEO Salary in the U.S. in 2025

Top 8 Highest-Paid CEOs

But who is the highest-paid CEO?

The following are the eight highest-paid CEOs in the United States:

1. Hock Tan – Broadcom – $161,826,161

The highest-paid CEO is Hock Tan, who has been the president and CEO of Broadcom, a semiconductor and infrastructure software company, and its predecessor company, Avago Technologies, since 2006.

Tan’s management style and vision have been instrumental in driving Broadcom’s growth and profitability, making him a key figure in the global tech industry.

Under his leadership, Broadcom has become a major player in the semiconductor industry, known for its aggressive growth strategy through high-profile acquisitions, including its $19 billion all-cash acquisition of CA Technologies in 2018, its $10.7 billion acquisition of Symantec’s enterprise security business in 2019, and its $61 billion acquisition of VMware in November 2023.

2. Nikesh Arora – Palo Alto Networks – $151,425,203

Nikesh Arora is the CEO and chairman of Palo Alto Networks. A prominent Indian-American business executive is known for his leadership roles in major technology and investment firms.

Arora’s career began at Fidelity Investments, but he rose to prominence during his tenure at Google, where he served as chief business officer and senior vice president.

He later joined SoftBank Group as president and chief operating officer, playing a key role in the company’s global investment strategy.

In 2018, Arora became the CEO and chairman of Palo Alto Networks, a cybersecurity company, where he has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and innovation. Arora is recognized for his strategic vision and ability to scale businesses in the competitive tech landscape.

3. Sue Nabi – Coty – $149,429,486

Sue Nabi, CEO of Coty, is a renowned figure in the beauty industry, celebrated for her transformative leadership at Coty. An Algerian-French national, Nabi began her career at L’Oréal, where she spent two decades in various senior roles, including president of L’Oréal Paris and president of Lancôme.

In 2014 after leaving L’Oréal, Nabi co-founded Orveda, a luxury vegan skincare brand known for its sustainable and science-driven products.

In September 2020, Nabi was appointed CEO of Coty. Her leadership at Coty focuses on innovation, sustainability, and expanding the company’s digital footprint while also emphasizing inclusivity and diversity across all its companies, including CoverGirl, Max Factor, and Rimmel.

4. Christopher Winfrey – Charter Communications – $89,077,078

Christopher Winfrey has been the president and CEO of Charter Communications, a broadband connectivity company and cable operator, since the end of 2022.

Winfrey has been with Charter since 2010, initially serving as chief financial officer before becoming the company’s chief operating officer.

Winfrey has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and strategic initiatives, including the integration of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, which expanded Charter’s footprint significantly.

With a background in finance and extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, Winfrey is recognized for his leadership and strategic vision in driving Charter’s continued success. Through its Spectrum brand, Charter serves more than 32 million customers in 41 U.S. states.

5. William Lansing – Fair Isaac Corp. – $66,349,962

William Lansing is the CEO of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), a provider of analytics and decision management technology solutions. In 2006, Lansing joined FICO’s board of directors and became CEO in 2012.

Lansing has a strong background in technology and business, with previous leadership roles at InfoSpace, ValueVision Media, and NBC Internet.

Under his leadership, FICO has expanded its focus on innovative analytics, artificial intelligence, and decision management solutions that help businesses make smarter decisions. Lansing’s strategic vision has been instrumental in driving FICO’s growth and maintaining its position as a market leader in credit scoring and analytics.

6. Timothy Cook – Apple – $63,209,845

Timothy Cook is the CEO of Apple, one of the world’s most valuable and influential technology companies, and also serves on its board of directors. Cook joined Apple as senior vice president for worldwide operations in 1998 and became the company’s chief operating officer in 2007.

In August 2011, Cook was appointed CEO, succeeding Steve Jobs. Under Cook’s leadership, Apple has continued to innovate with such products as the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and services, such as Apple Music and Apple TV+.

Cook has also focused on expanding Apple’s presence globally, enhancing supply chain efficiencies, and emphasizing corporate social responsibility, including environmental sustainability and privacy initiatives.

During Cook’s tenure, Apple has achieved record financial performance and maintained its status as a leading technology innovator.

7. Jagtar Singh Chaudhry – Zscaler – $57,775,483

Jagtar Singh Chaudhry, also known as Jay Chaudhry, is the founder, CEO, and chairman of Zscaler, a cloud security company. An Indian-American entrepreneur, Chaudhry established Zscaler in 2007 with the goal of revolutionizing internet security through cloud computing.

Before founding Zscaler, Chaudhry successfully founded and led several other technology companies, including AirDefense, CipherTrust, CoreHarbor, and SecureIT, demonstrating a consistent track record of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Under his leadership, Zscaler has become a prominent player in the cybersecurity industry, offering innovative solutions that secure internet traffic for organizations worldwide. Chaudhry’s extensive experience in the tech industry and his pioneering approach to cybersecurity have been instrumental in the company’s success.

8. Hamid Moghadam – Prologis – $50,891,597

Hamid Moghadam is the CEO and chairman of Prologis, a logistics real estate investment trust. Moghadam co-founded the company in 1983, and under his leadership, it has become the largest owner, operator, and developer of industrial real estate in the world.

Moghadam is widely recognized for his strategic vision and innovative approach to real estate development. He focuses on modern logistics facilities that meet the evolving needs of e-commerce and supply chain management.

Moghadam is a prominent figure in the commercial real estate industry. He’s also known for his deep expertise and commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility.

Elon Musk Is Not the Highest-Paid CEO in the World

Reportedly, Elon Musk is often considered the highest-paid CEO. However, according to Tesla’s Proxy Statement 2024, Musk has never accepted his salary.

Historically, he earned a base salary that reflected the applicable minimum wage requirements under California law, and he was subject to income taxes based on such base salary.

However, commencing in May 2019, at Musk’s request, the company eliminated the earning and accrual of this base salary altogether.

Moreover, in January 2024, a state court in Delaware invalidated the $55.8 billion pay package that Tesla’s board of directors awarded to Elon Musk in 2018.

Still, Elon Musk is the largest Tesla shareholder, with a stake of 715,022,706 million TSLA shares.

As of January 2025, Musk’s net worth is estimated at $421.2 billion, making him the wealthiest person in the world.

$1 Salary Club

Which CEO makes $1 a year?

Historically, Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca is credited with pioneering the $1-a-year salary in 1978. This powerful strategic move started a trend that we can still see today among notorious CEOs.

However, it’s not as altruistic as it might look. Most $1 CEO club members gain their income from alternative sources, including bonuses and stock options.

The list of top CEOs and former CEOs earning a $1 salary includes the following names:

The Bottom Line

The salary of a CEO is influenced by several factors, including company size, industry, financial performance, and market competitiveness.

Other factors, such as the CEO’s experience, leadership skills, and negotiation abilities, also play a significant role.

Additionally, board decisions, shareholder expectations, and regulatory requirements contribute to determining a CEO’s compensation package.

FAQs