Median pay for CEOs rose nearly 6% in 2025, but some compensation packages were eye-popping
Summary
In 2025, the typical pay for CEOs at large U.S. companies increased by nearly 6% to $17.7 million, while the median worker's pay rose by 4.7% to about $89,744. The gap between CEO and typical worker pay remains very large, with some CEOs making over 1,700 times more than their median employee.Key Facts
- Median CEO pay at S&P 500 companies rose to $17.7 million in 2025, up nearly 6% from the previous year.
- Median pay for typical employees at these companies increased 4.7% to $89,744 in 2025.
- CEO pay packages often include big rewards like stock bonuses and incentives to keep executives motivated.
- The pay gap between CEOs and average workers remains huge; at some companies it takes 200 years for a worker to earn what a CEO makes in one year.
- Coca-Cola’s CEO earned nearly 1,739 times more than its median worker, while TJX’s CEO earned about 1,774 times the median pay.
- The data comes from an Associated Press survey using Equilar analysis of 337 S&P 500 CEOs with at least two full years in their roles.
- Some cities are considering tax rules targeting companies with very large CEO-worker pay gaps.
- Despite wage increases, many workers still struggle with living costs and have had to use credit to cover expenses.
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