15 Highest-Paid CEOs in the World in 2025: Get CEO Qualifications and Salary Insights

Chief executive officers of global corporations command staggering pay packages that have been climbing higher each year. According to a survey of 35 leading Indian companies, the CEO-to-median pay ratio ranges up to a whopping 400:1. Many CEOs earn hundreds of millions — and one USD 56 billion (INR 4,89,776 crore) — in a single year​.

These eye-popping figures reflect not just base CEO salary but huge stock awards and performance bonuses that reward soaring company performance. This blog dives into the list of 15 highest-paid CEOs in the world. You'll see who they are, their qualifications, how much they earn, and a snapshot of their earnings over the past five years.

From tech visionaries to finance moguls, these leaders have built careers that justify – at least to their boards – their astronomical compensation.

(Note: CEO pay often includes base salary, bonuses, stock options and other perks​).

Who Are the Highest-Paid CEOs Today? At a Glance

The list of highest-paid CEOs is dominated by leaders of tech and media empires and a few finance and industry titans. Many hail from the US and lead globally renowned companies.

Notably, several executives of Indian origin (like Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella) feature prominently, reinforcing the impact of Indian talent on the global stage. Most of these CEOs received massive stock-based awards that vaulted their pay to record levels. 

Below is a snapshot of the top 15 highest-paid CEOs in the world – in no particular order – and their estimated net worth:

CEO	Company	Estimated Net Worth
Elon Musk	Tesla, SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter).	USD 422 billion ​(INR 36,90,812 Cr)
Tim Cook	Apple	USD 2.2 billion​ (INR 19,241.2 Cr)
Jensen Huang	NVIDIA	USD 113.4 billion​ (INR 9.92 lakh crore)
Reed Hastings	Netflix	USD 5.7 billion​ (INR 49,852.2 crore)
Leonard Schleifer	Regeneron Pharmaceuticals	USD 2.6 billion (INR 22,739.6 crore)
Marc Benioff	Salesforce	USD 10.8 billion (INR 94,456.8 crore)
Satya Nadella	Microsoft	USD 1.4 billion (INR 12,244.4 crore)
Robert (Bobby) Kotick	Activision Blizzard	USD 691 million (INR 6,043.5 crore)
Hock E. Tan	Broadcom	USD 1.2 billion (INR 10,495.2 crore)
Sundar Pichai	Alphabet (Google)	USD 1.3 billion​ (INR 11,369.8 crore)
Jon Winkelried	TPG (private equity)	USD 269.7 million (INR 2,358.8 crore)
Harvey M. Schwartz	The Carlyle Group (PE)	USD 339.2 million​ (INR 2,966.64 crore)
Nikesh Arora	Palo Alto Networks	USD 1.5 billion (INR 13,119 crore)
Sue Y. Nabi	Coty	USD 218 million (INR 19,06.63 crore)
David Zaslav	Warner Bros. Discovery	USD 63.7 million (INR 557.12 crore)

Sources: Forbes, Bloomberg, company filings as of late 2024/early 2025. They are included to show personal wealth but may fluctuate.

Please Note: INR conversions throughout the blog can vary based on the fluctuation in currency conversion rates.

Meet the 15 Highest-Paid CEOs: What Are Their Qualifications?

Below, you’ll explore each of these top-paid CEOs in detail – their career backgrounds, education, current salary, and how their earnings have trended over the past five years.

Please Note: Many CEOs on this list of highest-paid CEOs received their last compensation at the end of 2023 or 2024. Some also forgo their salaries for multiple reasons and contracts, discussed in the sections below.

1. Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX)

Current CEO Salary: USD 56 billion (INR 4,89,776 crore)​

Elon Musk is the charismatic entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX. South African-born Musk taught himself programming as a child and later earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania​.

He co-founded PayPal before turning his attention to electric vehicles and rockets. As CEO of Tesla, Musk’s visionary leadership revolutionized the auto industry with EVs, and at SpaceX, he’s pioneered reusable rockets. 

Here are some crucial details about the world’s highest-paid CEO in 2025.

Aspect	Details
Highest Educational Qualification	Bachelor’s in Economics & Physics (University of Pennsylvania). He briefly attended a PhD program at Stanford but dropped out to pursue entrepreneurship.
Major Source of Income	Musk’s wealth comes mostly from his 13% stake in Tesla and ownership of SpaceX.

Did you know? Musk’s 2021 payday, stemming from Tesla stock options granted in 2018, was a whopping USD 23.5 billion!

Historical Earnings (Last 5 Years)

Musk’s compensation is highly atypical. He famously forgoes a base CEO salary and instead had a one-time moonshot stock award in 2018 tied to Tesla’s performance. As Tesla’s market cap skyrocketed, Musk unlocked tranche after tranche of stock options. 

Here’s a look at the 5-year historical data of his chief executive officer salary.

Year	Total CEO Salary	Notable Details
2020	USD 6.7 billion (INR 58,598 crore)	Options exercised as Tesla hit growth targets.
2021	USD 23.5 billion (INR 2,05,531 crore)	Record-breaking payout via option exercise.
2022	0	No new grants; Tesla stock dip meant no new payout.
2023	0	No new compensation (already exceeded plan).
2024	USD 56 billion (INR 4,89,776 crore)	Was supposed to draw USD 101.4 billion but a Delaware judge ruled against it. So, as a part of his performance package, Musk received a salary of about USD 56 billion.

Also Read: CEOs with MBA – How much more do MBA grads earn?

2. Tim Cook (Apple)

Current CEO Salary: USD 74.6 million (INR 652.45 crore)

Tim Cook is the CEO of Apple Inc., the world’s most valuable company. An industrial engineer by training, Cook joined Apple in 1998 and rose through operations and supply chain roles under Steve Jobs.

He became CEO in 2011, steering Apple to record profits and new product lines. Known for his calm, analytical leadership style, Cook successfully expanded Apple’s global reach and services business.

Here are some crucial details about Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, one of the highest-paid CEOs in the world.

Aspect	Details
Highest Educational Qualification	MBA (Duke University – Fuqua School of Business)​ BS in Industrial Engineering (Auburn).
Highest Recorded Pay	In 2021, Cook’s total compensation surged to USD 770.5 million​.

Did you know? Apple’s board awarded Cook a massive stock package worth USD 1.7 billion over 10 years, and the first tranche vested in 2021, making him the second highest-paid CEO that year after Musk​. However, in 2023, he voluntarily reduced his future salary target after shareholder feedback, showing a grounded approach despite Apple’s success.

Historical Earnings (Last 5 Years)

Despite his huge pay, Cook only became a billionaire in recent years, mainly from cumulative stock grants and prudent stock sales. 

Here’s a look at the 5-year historical data of his chief executive officer salary.

Year	Total CEO Salary	Notable Details
2020	USD 14.8 million (INR 129.44 crore)	Regular compensation (salary + bonus + perks).
2021	USD 770.5 million (INR 6,738.79 crore)​	Enormous stock award vested (10-year anniversary grant)​.
2022	USD 99.4 million​ (INR 869.35 crore)​	Annual stock grant + bonus (shareholders approved USD 99 million package).​
2023	USD 63.2 million (INR 552.75 crore)​	Pay cut at Cook’s request (to align with performance)​.
2024	USD 74.6 million (INR 652.45 crore)	18% increase in salary from the previous year.

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3. Jensen Huang (NVIDIA)

Current CEO Salary: USD 34.3 million (INR 299.99 crore)

Jensen Huang is the co-founder and CEO of NVIDIA, a leading semiconductor and AI computing company. 

Born in Taiwan and educated in the US, Huang started NVIDIA in 1993 and pioneered the GPU (graphics processing unit). Under his visionary leadership, NVIDIA's chips became essential for gaming, AI, and data centers, propelling NVIDIA to a USD 1 trillion market cap in 2023. 

Here are some crucial details about Huang, who is lovingly known as the "godfather of AI" in Silicon Valley and is admired for his product foresight.

Aspect	Details
Highest Educational Qualification	MS in Electrical Engineering (Stanford University) BS in EE from Oregon State University.
Modest pay package in 2023	His pay package was more modest (no giant new grant), but his personal wealth ballooned thanks to his stock holdings.

Did you know? In 2021, Huang’s total compensation was reported at USD 561 million​– making him the third highest-paid Fortune 500 CEO that year​.

Historical Earnings (Last 5 Years)

Huang’s 3.5% stake in NVIDIA made him one of the 20 richest people in the world in 2024.​ Here’s a look at the 5-year historical data of his chief executive officer salary.

Year	Total CEO Salary	Notable Details
2020	USD 67 million (INR 585.98 crore)	Big increase from previous year’s salary; received stock grants worth tens of millions.
2021	USD 561 million  (INR 4,906.51 crore)	One-time large stock award vested as NVIDIA stock soared.
2022	USD 54.9 million (INR 480.15 crore)	Annual compensation (stock grants + bonus)​
2023	USD 21 million (INR 183.67 crore)	No new mega-grant; pay dominated by prior stock awards vesting.
2024	USD 34.3 million (INR 299.99 crore)	His new pay package was approved on June 26, 2024

Also Read: Top Skills Required for Leadership & Management

4. Reed Hastings (Netflix)

CEO Salary: USD 34.7 million (INR 303.49 crore)

Reed Hastings is the co-founder and former CEO of Netflix, the streaming giant that revolutionized entertainment. Hastings, who has a Master’s in Computer Science from Stanford, co-founded Netflix in 1997 initially as a DVD-by-mail service. 

Under his leadership as CEO (up until 2023), Netflix grew into a global streaming platform with over 200 million subscribers, disrupting the media industry. Hastings is known for his innovative culture at Netflix (unlimited vacation and candid feedback) and for continuously pivoting the company’s business model. He stepped down as co-CEO in early 2023 to become Executive Chairman.

Here are some crucial details about Hastings.

Aspect	Details
Highest Educational Qualification	MS in Computer Science (Stanford University) BA in Mathematics from Bowdoin College​
Resignation as CEO	After stepping back from the CEO role mid-month in 2023, his pay was lower as he no longer ran day-to-day operations.

Did you know? In earlier years, Hastings realized much larger gains from stock. In 2021, he earned USD 453.5 million​, making him one of the top five highest-paid CEOs in the world.  

Historical Earnings (Last 5 Years)

According to Forbes, Hastings’ wealth comes mainly from his Netflix stake (he owns roughly 1-2% of Netflix). He has also donated over USD 2 billion to educational causes​.

Here’s a glimpse of the 5-year historical data of his chief executive officer salary.

Year	Total CEO Salary	Notable Details
2019	USD 38.6 million (INR 337.60 crore)	Mostly stock options (Netflix stock was climbing).
2020	USD 43.2 million (INR 377.83 crore)	Compensation in line with prior year (stock-based).
2021	USD 453.5 million​ (INR 3,966.31 crore)	Huge option exercises amid Netflix stock peak.
2022	USD 34.7 million (INR 303.49 crore)	Annual pay (salary + options) in CEO role.
2023	USD 17 million (INR 148.68 crore)	Pay for part-year as Executive Chairman (stepped down as co-CEO midway).

Also Read: Key Qualities of Effective Managers and Leaders

5. Leonard Schleifer (Regeneron Pharmaceuticals)

Current CEO Salary: USD 12 million (INR 104.95 crore)

Dr. Leonard Schleifer is the founder and CEO of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company known for drugs like Eylea and Regen-COV. Schleifer is unique among this group as a physician-scientist CEO – he holds an MD and a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Virginia​.

After working as a neurologist, he started Regeneron in 1988. Under his leadership, Regeneron became one of the most innovative biotech firms. Schleifer's scientific background helped the company discover multiple successful therapies and grow into a firm with USD 80+ billion.

Here are some interesting details about Dr. Schleifer:

Aspect	Details
Highest Educational Qualification	MD-PhD (University of Virginia)​ BS in Biological Sciences from Cornell University​
COVID-19 antibody treatment	In 2021, Regeneron’s stock price was at its highest due to Schleifer’s COVID antibody treatment.

Did you know? Schleifer had an extraordinary pay in 2021: about USD 452.9 million​. In 2023, his pay was much lower (in the USD 10–15 million range) as those one-time gains due to antibody treatment weren’t repeated.

Historical Earnings (Last 5 Years)

Here’s a glimpse of the 5-year historical data of his chief executive officer salary.

Year	Total CEO Salary	Notable Details
2019	USD 7.9 million (INR 69.09 crore)	Regular pay (salary + bonus) – modest by industry standards.
2020	USD 135.35 million (INR 1,183.77 crore) ​	Big jump as Regeneron’s stock/options value rose (COVID response).
2021	USD 452.9 million (INR 3,961 crore)	Enormous one-time stock option gains (Regeneron shares hit high)​.
2022	USD 28 million (INR 244.89 crore)	Annual compensation normalized.
2023	USD 12 million (INR 104.95 crore)	No repeat of prior mega-grants.

6. Marc Benioff (Salesforce)

CEO Salary: USD 39.6 million (INR 346.34 crore)

Marc Benioff is the co-founder, Chairman, and co-CEO of Salesforce, the cloud computing powerhouse. A tech prodigy, Benioff sold his first software (Atari games) at 15 and earned a BS in Business Administration from the University of Southern California​. He worked at Oracle for 13 years before founding Salesforce in 1999. 

Benioff pioneered software-as-a-service (SaaS) and built Salesforce into the world’s #1 CRM platform. He’s known for his charismatic marketing (e.g., “No Software” logo) and social activism in business. Under his leadership, Salesforce has consistently grown through innovation and major acquisitions.

Here are some interesting details about Benioff:

Aspect	Details
Highest Educational Qualification	BS in Business Administration (University of Southern California)​
Net worth decline	His net worth was more when Salesforce stock peaked (over USD 10 billion in 2021) but is now around USD 7–8 billion in 2025.

Did you know? Benioff’s 2021 compensation was about USD 439.4 million​, driven by extremely large stock grants when Salesforce’s stock was booming. That made him one of the top 10 best-paid CEOs globally that year. In 2023, with tech stocks cooling, his pay was back to a more typical level (around USD 30 million). Notably, as co-CEO, Benioff decided to forego some compensation in 2023 amid Salesforce’s cost cuts.

Historical Earnings (Last 5 Years)

Benioff's wealth primarily comes from his 3% stake in Salesforce, augmented by investments and properties (he also owns Time Magazine).  

Here’s a glimpse of the 5-year historical data of his chief executive officer salary.

Year	Total CEO Salary	Notable Details
2020	USD 26 million (INR 227.40 crore)	Increased stock grants as the company grew.
2021	USD 439.4 million​ (INR 3,842.99 crore)	Massive stock award amid Salesforce’s share surge​.
2022	USD 28.3 million (INR 247.51 crore)	Standard compensation (co-CEO role).
2023	USD 20 million (INR 174.92 crore)	Pay cut and bonus reduction during tech downturn.
2024	USD 39.6 million (INR 346.34 crore)	A huge jump from the previous year’s salary.

7. Satya Nadella (Microsoft)

CEO Salary: USD 79.1 million (INR 691.81 crore)

Satya Nadella is Microsoft's CEO. An engineer born in India, Nadella earned a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology (India)​. He joined Microsoft in 1992 and led projects in Bing, Office, and the cloud (Azure). In 2014, he became CEO, initiating a remarkable turnaround with a “cloud-first, mobile-first” strategy​.

Nadella refocused Microsoft on cloud computing (Azure's massive growth) and AI and revived its culture – making Microsoft one of the world's most valuable companies again. He’s widely credited with transforming the 45-year-old tech giant into a modern, innovative firm.

Here are some interesting details about Nadella:

Aspect	Details
Highest Educational Qualification	MS in Computer Science from U. Wisconsin–Milwaukee MBA from the University of Chicago
A whopping pay raise of 73%	In 2023, Microsoft disclosed Nadella’s pay rose 63% to USD 79.1 million with new stock grants as the company’s market value passed USD 2 trillion​.

Did you know? Nadella’s pay often includes large stock rewards for performance. In 2021, his total compensation was around USD 309.4 million, making him one of the 10 highest-paid CEOs that year.​

Historical Earnings (Last 5 Years)

Nadella has periodically sold Microsoft shares. His net wealth is primarily from Microsoft stock grants received and vested over decades.

Here’s a glimpse of the 5-year historical data of his chief executive officer salary.

Year	Total CEO Salary	Notable Details
2019	USD 42.9 million (INR 357.20 crore)	Strong performance bonus as Microsoft stock grew.
2020	USD 44.3 million (INR 387.45 crore)	Consistent compensation; continued cloud growth.
2021	USD 309.4 million​ (INR 2,706.01 crore)	Major stock award vested (reflecting MSFT 10x growth)​.
2022	USD 54.95 million​ (INR 480.59 crore)	Annual pay; new equity grant for continued performance.
2023	USD 79.1 million​ (INR 691.81 crore)	Pay boost (63% increase) as Microsoft’s AI bet paid off​.

8. Robert Bobby Kotick (Activision Blizzard)

CEO Salary: USD 14.6 million (INR 127.69 crore)

Bobby Kotick was the longtime CEO of video game company Activision Blizzard (acquired by Microsoft in 2023). Kotick, a college dropout (he left the University of Michigan in the 1980s to pursue business​), is an example of an entrepreneur-turned-CEO.

He took control of Activision in 1991 when it was bankrupt, rebuilt it with hits like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft (after merging with Blizzard), and turned it into one of the world’s biggest gaming companies. Kotick’s tenure saw Activision Blizzard’s value skyrocket, though not without controversies (workplace culture issues in recent years).

Here are some interesting details about Kotick:

Aspect	Details
Highest Educational Qualification	Attended University of Michigan (studied Art History) – dropped out to start a software company​.
A whopping USD 296.7 million payout in 2021	This huge sum largely came from stock awards and options linked to the company’s strong performance.

Did you know? In 2022, Kotics’s pay was dramatically reduced – he voluntarily cut his salary and forewent bonuses amid company turmoil. After Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard in 2023, Kotick left the company.

​Historical Earnings (Last 5 Years)

Kotick's net worth results from wealth from decades of Activision stock and prior investments. He also made hundreds of millions from the Microsoft buyout (Microsoft paid USD 69 billion for Activision, likely netting Kotick a significant sum for his shares).

Here’s a glimpse of the 5-year historical data of his chief executive officer salary.

Year	Total CEO Salary	Notable Details
2019	USD 30.1 million (INR 263.25 crore)	High for the gaming industry, but routine for Kotick.
2020	USD 154.6 million (INR 1,352.13 crore)	Big jump with stock awards (drew criticism from some investors).
2021	USD 296.7 million​ (INR 2,594.94 crore)	Enormous stock-based award as contract extended​.
2022	USD 12.87 million (INR 112.56 crore)	Took pay cut: no bonus and minimum salary amid company issues.
2023	USD 14.6 million (INR 127.69 crore)	Partial year pre-acquisition; exit package not publicly known.

9. Hock E. Tan (Broadcom)

CEO Salary: USD 161.8 million (INR 1,415.10 crore)

Hock Tan is the CEO of Broadcom Inc., a global semiconductor and enterprise software company. Born in Malaysia, Tan attended MIT on a scholarship​. He held executive roles at PepsiCo and Commodore and led Integrated Circuit Systems. 

Tan became CEO of Avago Technologies, which, under his leadership, aggressively acquired Broadcom and took its name. He is known for his intense focus on efficiency and bold acquisitions, turning Broadcom into a tech giant that supplies critical chips for smartphones, data centers, and networking.

Here are some interesting details about Tan:

Aspect	Details
Highest Educational Qualification	BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from MIT MBA from Harvard Business School
Tan topped the US CEO pay charts for 2023	With a payout of USD 161.8 million, Tan became the highest-paid of any Fortune 500 CEO that year.

Did you know? His whopping 2023 payout was almost entirely composed of performance-based stock awards as Broadcom’s value grew. Tan’s pay has been notoriously high in prior years as well – in 2017, he was the highest-paid CEO in the US, earning USD 103 million.

Historical Earnings (Last 5 Years)

As of 2025, Hock Tan owns USD 1.8 million Broadcom shares valued at around USD 1.4 billion. His pay reflects Broadcom’s strategy of tying executive rewards to aggressive performance targets.

Here’s a glimpse of the 5-year historical data of his chief executive officer salary.

Year	Total CEO Salary	Notable Details
2019	USD 66 million (INR 577.24 crore)	High annual pay with stock grants (Broadcom booming).
2020	USD 61 million (INR 533.51 crore)	Continued large equity-based compensation.
2021	USD 288 million​ (INR 2,518.85 crore)	Huge stock award (Broadcom’s value and acquisitions soared)​.
2022	USD 76 million (INR 664.70 crore)	One of top-paid in S&P 500; mix of cash and equity.
2023	USD 161.8 million​ (INR 1,415.10 crore)	#1 highest-paid CEO (Equilar 100 study)​; mostly long-term stock incentives.

10. Sundar Pichai (Alphabet/Google)

CEO Salary: USD 8.8 million (INR 76.96 crore)

Sundar Pichai is the CEO of Alphabet Inc. (Google's parent company) and Google itself. Born in Chennai, India, Pichai studied Metallurgical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur (B.Tech)​. He joined Google in 2004 and rose to prominence, leading the development of products like Google Chrome, the Chrome OS, and Google Drive.

By 2015, he was appointed CEO of Google and, later in 2019, also took the helm of Alphabet. Pichai's tenure has seen Google and Alphabet expand into cloud computing, hardware (Pixel phones), and artificial intelligence (AI) while navigating regulatory challenges.

Here are some interesting details about Pichai:

Aspect	Details
Highest Educational Qualification	Metallurgical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur, India MS in Materials Science & Engineering from Stanford University MBA from Wharton (University of Pennsylvania)​
Pattern on modest base salary + large stock grants every year	Pichai received a USD 240 million stock award in 2019, which vested over three years.

Did you know? In 2022, Alphabet granted Pichai a new equity award worth USD 210 million (to vest over 2023-2025), bringing his 2022 pay to USD 226 million. In off-grant years, his reported pay is much lower (USD 5-9 million). For example, his 2021 pay was USD 6.3 million (no big grant that year), whereas 2019 was USD 280 million​ due to the stock award, and 2018 was USD 1.9 million (no grant).

Historical Earnings (Last 5 Years)

Here’s a glimpse of the 5-year historical data of his chief executive officer salary.

Year	Total CEO Salary	Notable Details
2019	USD 280 million​ (INR 2,448.88 crore)	Huge tri-annual stock grant (approved by board)​.
2020	USD 7.2 million (INR 62.97 crore)	Small pay (no major grant; only salary and bonus).
2021	USD 6.3 million (INR 55.10 crore)	Regular pay (no new grants this year).
2022	USD 226 million​ (INR 1,976.60 crore)	New long-term stock award granted (to retain him through 2025).
2023	USD 8.8 million (INR 76.96 crore)	6.8 million went to his personal security.

11. Jon Winkelried (TPG Capital)

CEO Salary: USD 198.7 million (INR 1,737.83 crore)

Winkelried is the CEO of TPG Capital, a leading global private equity firm. A veteran Wall Street banker, Winkelried spent 27 years at Goldman Sachs, rising to co-President and co-COO before retiring in 2009​. He joined TPG (formerly Texas Pacific Group) in 2015 as co-CEO and became sole CEO in 2021​.

At TPG, Winkelried has overseen the firm’s expansion and its 2022 IPO. He is known for his financial acumen and low-profile, steady leadership style in the high-stakes world of private equity.

Here are some interesting details about Winkelried:

Aspect	Details
Highest Educational Qualification	Joint BA and MBA from the University of Chicago
USD 198.7 million payout in 2023	This jaw-dropping sum included large stock awards tied to TPG’s performance post-IPO.

Did you know? Winkelried pay was substantial (USD 80 million) in 2022 as well. Private equity firms often grant their top executives shares or partnership units in the firm; TPG’s strong results meant a big payout for Winkelried. The New York Times noted in an article that at TPG's median employee pay of USD 291k, an average employee would take 683 years to earn what Winkelried made in one year.​

Historical Earnings (Last 5 Years)

A major portion of Winkelried’s wealth comes from years at Goldman (where he was a partner) and now equity in TPG. ​

Here’s a glimpse of the 5-year historical data of his chief executive officer salary.

Year	Total CEO Salary	Notable Details
2019	N/A (Not in TPG role)	(Joined TPG in 2015; TPG was private, compensation undisclosed).
2020	N/A (TPG private)	Compensation undisclosed.
2021	USD 25 million (INR 218.65 crore)	Co-CEO of TPG; firm prepared for IPO (proxy data not public).
2022	USD 80 million (INR 699.68 crore)	TPG went public; awarded a significant equity stake.
2023	USD 198.7 million​ (INR 1,737.83 crore)	Enormous one-time post-IPO stock award vested​.

12. Harvey M. Schwartz (The Carlyle Group)

CEO Salary: USD 186.99 million (INR 1,635.41 crore)

Harvey Schwartz is the CEO of The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s largest private equity firms with USD 450+ billion in assets under management. Schwartz is a longtime finance executive, best known for his 20-year career at Goldman Sachs, where he served as CFO and then Co-COO (and was a contender for CEO)​.

He left Goldman in 2018 and took over at Carlyle in 2023, tasked with revitalizing the firm. Schwartz has a trading and risk management background and even holds a black belt in karate, reflecting a disciplined approach to work and life​.

Here are some interesting details about Schwartz:

Aspect	Details
Highest Educational Qualification	BA in Economics from Rutgers University​ MBA from Columbia Business School
Whopping first-year CEO pay in 2023	Upon joining Carlyle as CEO in February 2023, Schwartz received a hefty compensation package, including stock, that brought his first-year pay to USD 186.99 million.

Did you know? Schwartz’s hefty package in 2023 was designed to make up for pay he forfeited by leaving retirement and to incentivize turning Carlyle’s performance around. Prior to Carlyle, when he was at Goldman, Schwartz’s peak comp was in the tens of millions (but not public since Goldman’s top pay wasn’t individually disclosed after he left).

Historical Earnings (Last 5 Years):

Schwartz’s wealth is likely the result of his accumulated Goldman Sachs stock and new Carlyle equity. His 2023 high package caused quite a stir in the private equity world, as it's exceedingly rare for a newly minted CEO in that sector to rank among the top global CEO pays.  Carlyle justified it as a multi-year incentive. 

In fact, an FT report said he stands to make over USD 180 million over five years if he meets targets. Here’s a glimpse of the 5-year historical data of his chief executive officer salary.

Year	Total CEO Salary	Notable Details
2019	N/A	Left Goldman in 2018
2020	N/A	Retired from Goldman – no public compensation.
2021	N/A	Serving on boards, etc., no major executive role.
2022	N/A	Announced as Carlyle CEO in late 2022, started 2023.
2023	USD 186.99 million (INR 1,635.41 crore)	New Carlyle CEO pay (one-time onboarding stock grants)​.

13. Nikesh Arora (Palo Alto Networks)

CEO Salary: USD 151.4 million (INR 1,324.14 crore)

Nikesh Arora is the CEO and Chairman of Palo Alto Networks, a global cybersecurity company. An Indian-born executive, Arora has an electrical engineering degree from IIT (BHU​) and is also a certified CFA. Arora had a high-profile career at Google, where he rose to Chief Business Officer and later served briefly as President of SoftBank (and was heir-apparent to Masayoshi Son) before departing in 2016.

He took over Palo Alto Networks in 2018, transitioning the company to a broader cybersecurity platform focusing on AI and cloud security. Under his leadership, Palo Alto’s stock and revenue have jumped significantly.

Here are some interesting details about Arora:

Aspect	Details
Highest Educational Qualification	MS in Finance from Boston College MBA from Northeastern University
Top 5 highest-paid CEOs of 2023	Arora had a pay package of USD 151.4 million​. This largely came from a mega stock grant Palo Alto Networks gave him to incentivize long-term growth.

Did you know? In 2022, Arora’s pay was more modest (USD 28 million). When Arora joined Palo Alto in 2018, he received a significant equity package (over USD 100 million over several years). By 2023, the realized value of those shares plus new grants led to this substantial figure. 

Historical Earnings (Last 5 Years):

Nicknamed one of the rare “non-founder tech CEO billionaires”​, Arora’s wealth crossed the USD 1 billion mark thanks to hefty pay at Google, a USD 128 million exit package from SoftBank, and now sizable holdings in Palo Alto Networks. 

Here’s a glimpse of the 5-year historical data of his chief executive officer salary.

Year	Total CEO Salary	Notable Details
2019	USD 128 million (INR 1,119.49 crore)	Combination of SoftBank severance and Palo Alto joining grant.
2020	USD 23 million (INR 1,324.14 crore)	Palo Alto CEO annual comp (base + some stock).
2021	USD 23.8 million (INR 201.16 crore)	Consistent annual pay.
2022	USD 28.0 million (INR 244.89 crore)	Grew as the company performed well (stock grants’ value up).
2023	USD 151.4 million​ (INR 1,324.14 crore)	Massive stock awards vested; one of top-paid CEOs globally​.

14. Sue Y. Nabi (Coty Inc.)

CEO Salary: USD 149.4 million (INR 1,306.65 crore)

Sue Y. Nabi is the CEO of Coty Inc., a global beauty and cosmetics company behind brands like CoverGirl and Max Factor. Nabi is a trailblazer in many respects: a former L’Oréal executive, she is one of the first transgender CEOs of a major company​.

Born in Algeria and raised in France, Sue Nabi (born as Younes Nabill) earned an engineering degree in agronomy/environment. She had a successful 20-year career at L’Oréal, where she rose to become President of L’Oréal Paris and Lancôme.

In 2020, Coty appointed her CEO to turn around the company's fortunes. Under her leadership, Coty's stock has improved, and the company has refocused on its fragrance and skincare lines.

Here are some interesting details about Nabi:

Aspect	Details
Highest Educational Qualification	Engineering Degree in Agronomy & Environmental Science (ENGEES Strasbourg)​ Advanced Master’s in Marketing Management (ESSEC, Paris)​
Only woman in top 5 highest-paid CEOs in 2023	Sue Nabi’s pay in 2023 was about USD 149.4 million in 2023.​

Did you know? Nabi’s package included substantial stock awards as part of a new contract. Notably, Coty's share price more than doubled in 2023, which likely boosted the value of her equity incentives.  

Historical Earnings (Last 5 Years)

Nabi's personal net worth is not widely reported. Still, it's in the hundreds of millions based on her Coty equity (she reportedly owns about 2% of Coty's shares) and prior L'Oréal earnings.

Here’s a glimpse of the 5-year historical data of her chief executive officer salary.

Year	Total CEO Salary	Notable Details
2019	N/A (not at Coty)	Ran her own beauty startup after L’Oréal career.
2020	N/A	Joined Coty as CEO in September 2020 – partial year.
2021	USD 28.3 million (INR 247.51 crore)	Coty CEO first full year (turnaround was in progress).
2022	USD 28.0 million (INR 244.89 crore)	Steady compensation; began showing results.
2023	USD 149.4 million​ (INR 1,306.65 crore)	Enormous stock grant vested as Coty’s share price surged​.

15. David Zaslav (Warner Bros. Discovery)

CEO Salary: USD 49.7 million (INR 434.68 crore)

David Zaslav is the President and CEO of Warner Bros, Discovery, a media conglomerate formed by the 2022 merger of Discovery, Inc. and AT&T’s WarnerMedia. Zaslav, a lawyer by training, spent the early part of his career at NBC. In 2007, he became CEO of Discovery Communications, where he expanded the portfolio (adding networks like OWN and Eurosport) and eventually engineered the mega-merger with WarnerMedia.

Zaslav now oversees a vast empire, including HBO, CNN, Warner Bros film studio, Discovery Channel, and more. He is known for his sharp deal-making and cost-cutting focus (infamously shelving certain film projects for tax write-offs post-merger).

Here are some interesting details about Zaslav:

Aspect	Details
Highest Educational Qualification	Juris Doctor (Boston University School of Law, with honors)​ BS from Binghamton University​
A salary drop in 2022	Zaslav’s 2021 compensation was a whopping USD 246.6 million. It dropped to USD ​39.3 million in 2022.

Did you know? Zaslav's 2022 salary package included a USD 190 million stock options grant (as part of a new contract through 2027) on top of his base pay​. It was essentially a multi-year incentive to lead the merged Warner Bros. Discovery.

Historical Earnings (Last 5 Years)

In 2022, after the merger, Zaslav’s pay dropped to USD 39 million. For context, he owned about 6 million Discovery shares pre-merger; WBD’s stock has been volatile, affecting his net worth.

Here’s a glimpse of the 5-year historical data of his chief executive officer salary.

Year	Total CEO Salary	Notable Details
2019	USD 45.8 million​ (INR 400.57 crore)	CEO of Discovery Inc.; sizable stock and bonus.
2020	USD 37.7 million​ (INR 329.72 crore)	Pay dipped slightly (pandemic impact on bonuses).
2021	USD 246.6 million​ (INR 2,156.76 crore)	Massive new contract with USD 203 million in stock options​.
2022	USD 39.3 million​ (INR 343.71 crore)	Post-merger pay (no new big grant).
2023	USD 49.7 million (INR 434.68 crore)	Continued high salary/bonus; WBD stock underperformed.

Understanding the CEO Salary Compensation Structure

A chief executive’s pay usually consists of a steady base salary paired with a much larger portion of variable pay. The base salary provides a stable income, but the actual earnings come from the company's performance.

Here’s what this means for the overall compensation package for CEOs:

• Base Salary: This fixed part gives them financial stability.
• Variable Pay: This portion is tied to company performance and can account for a significant percentage of their total earnings.

One major piece of the pie is stock options. These allow CEOs to benefit directly from the company's stock price while keeping their focus on driving growth. Interestingly, more than half of CEOs worldwide receive stock-based compensation.

Then there are performance bonuses, which are a big part of the picture. These bonuses are based on three main factors:

• Revenue Growth: Meeting revenue targets can lead to a nice bump in their total pay.
• Shareholder Returns: If the company does well for shareholders, bonuses can rise, reflecting trends we’ve seen in recent years.
• Strategic Milestones: These leaders earn additional rewards when companies meet major business goals.

Comparative Analysis with Global CEO Salaries

It's interesting to see how CEO salaries worldwide compare. There are some big differences between developed and developing countries, and factors like industry and the overall economy come into play.

To better understand, let's examine how CEO salaries vary across regions.

Country	*Average Annual CEO Salary (Median Pay)
United States	USD 413k (INR 3.61 Cr)
Germany	€1L (INR 90L)
United Kingdom	£85k (INR 92L)
Australia	USD 150k (INR 1.3 Cr)
Canada	USD 127k (INR 1.11 Cr)
India	INR 20L

Source: Glassdoor

Also Read: What is Performance Appraisal? Everything to know

What’s the General CEO Salary in the World Besides the Highest-Paid CEOs? Salary by Sectors Disclosed

As you’ve seen, even the salaries of the highest-paid CEOs vary. This gap only widens further. Wondering what drives CEO salaries on a global scale? Here are some key factors to consider.

• Industry Type: Tech and finance usually pay more due to strong growth potential.
• Company Size: Larger organizations offer higher salaries because of bigger budgets.
• Market Competition: Companies often raise pay to attract top talent in competitive sectors.
• Profitability: High-profit firms can afford to pay their CEOs more.
• Location: Salaries often reflect the cost of living in a region.
• Experience: CEOs with solid track records typically earn more.

Here’s a snapshot of how chief executive officer salary varies across industries.

Industry	Average Annual CEO Salary (INR Crore)
Consumer Defense	INR 121.55 Cr
Energy	INR 118.04 Cr
Financial Services	INR 105.8 Cr
Industrials	INR 101.43 Cr
Real Estate	INR 90.94 Cr

Source: Northwest Executive Education

What’s the Experience Required to Become a CEO?

Typically, CEOs rise through the ranks, taking on positions that equip them for the significant responsibilities of leading a company.

Here’s a glimpse into the usual career path and qualifications needed to achieve the esteemed role of CEO.

• Team Leader: Guide a small group to achieve specific objectives.
• Manager: Oversees daily operations and team performance.
• Director: Lead larger teams and strategic initiatives within departments.
• Vice President (VP): Supervises multiple departments and ensures alignment with the company’s vision.
• Chief Operating Officer (COO): Manages day-to-day operations and drives organizational efficiency.
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Directs financial strategy, reporting, and budgeting.
• Chief Marketing Officer (CMO): Crafts marketing strategies and brand development.
• Product Manager: Steers product strategy and lifecycle, often acting as a link between departments.

Let’s look at typical departments, time spent in leadership roles and their key responsibilities.

Department	Duration in Leadership Roles	Key Responsibilities
Finance	3.5 - 4.5  years	Oversee budgeting and financial strategy
Operations	10+ years	Ensure efficient production and service delivery
Marketing	2 - 3 years	Lead branding and marketing strategy development
Sales	1 - 2 years	Drive revenue growth through customer acquisition
Human Resources	5 - 15 years	Cultivate talent and enhance workplace culture
IT	5 - 20 years (Varies depending on organization)	Direct technology initiatives for business solutions

So, are you ready to take the next step? Explore upGrad’s specialized courses to enhance your professional skills, and get started today!

What’s the Educational Qualification Needed to Become a CEO?

Education is crucial in shaping a career path as a CEO. But here's the thing: not every CEO follows the same route. While many leaders hold advanced degrees like MBAs, there's a growing trend of showcasing a mix of academic backgrounds that lead to success.

Here’s a quick look at some common qualifications.

• MBA (Master of Business Administration)
• PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in specialized fields
• Engineering degrees (BTech, MTech)
• Commerce degrees (BCom, MCom)
• Law degrees (LLB, LLM)
• Finance-focused degrees (CA, CFA)
• Bachelor’s in Science (BSc) or Arts (BA) with relevant experience
• Master’s in Data Science or Analytics
• Master’s in Marketing or International Business
• Degree in Psychology or Human Resources
• Degree in Environmental Science or Sustainability
• Degree in Computer Science or Information Technology

It is essential to recognize that many successful CEOs do not follow the traditional academic route. Many achieve success through practical experience, innovation, or family business involvement.

Here’s a look at some non-traditional pathways to the CEO role.

Non-Traditional Pathway	Examples of Success
Entrepreneurship	Founders becoming CEOs of their own companies
Family Business Management	CEOs expanding family-run enterprises
Consulting Experience	Former consultants stepping into top management roles
Creative Industries	Leaders from media, design, or arts backgrounds
Technical Experts	Engineers or IT professionals moving into CEO roles
Self-Taught Business Leaders	CEOs who learned through experience and mentorship

Conclusion

CEO salaries worldwide are creating exciting opportunities in corporate leadership. Understanding how factors like company size, industry, experience, and education affect CEO salary can help you set realistic career goals if you aim for the top position.

With the global employment growth rate climbing, new opportunities await ambitious individuals like you. Now is a great time to enhance your skills. upGrad offers over 500+ courses designed to meet industry needs, helping you explore your potential. 

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, schedule a free career counseling session with our experts today!

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Northwest Executive Education
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