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Median CEO Pay Reaches $18.9 Million, Widening Gap to 285-to-1

Permanent tax rate cuts fueled a 7% jump in median CEO compensation that outpaced worker wage growth.

Commuters wait to board a red line train at the Metro Center metro station in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Image
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol was paid far more than the typical worker at the company.
A protester holds a sign reading "eat the rich, feed the poor" during a press conference and rally in support of fair taxation near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on April 10, 2025.

Overview

  • Chief executives at the 500 largest U.S. public companies saw median pay climb 7% to $18.9 million in 2024, amplifying the pay ratio with typical workers to 285-to-1.
  • Restricted stock awards made up nearly half of CEO compensation last year, complemented by average bonuses of about $4 million.
  • Under the permanent extension of lower individual tax rates, each CEO is projected to receive an average $490,000 tax reduction compared with $765 for the average worker.
  • Patrick Smith of Axon Enterprise topped the list with a $165 million package, and Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol earned nearly $98 million, translating to a 6,666-to-1 pay ratio at his company.
  • Labor advocates such as the AFL-CIO and Starbucks Workers United are pressing for steeper taxes on top earners and enhanced worker representation to curb widening inequality.