Top 10 Highest Paid CEOs in the World

CEOs are a vital part of any organization in the business world. They make big decisions that guide their companies toward success, and because of this crucial role, they often receive high pay. In the last ten years, CEO pay at S&P 500 companies has increased significantly. In 2023, the average pay for these CEOs was $17.7 million, with the median pay package rising to $16.3 million, up 12.6%. So, who are the highest paid CEOs in the world? Let’s find out!

The strong economy, with high profits and rising stock prices, has led to increased CEO compensation. In recent surveys, around two dozen CEOs received pay increases of 50% or more.

This blog will explore the top 10 highest paid CEOs in the world. We’ll look at who they are, the companies they lead, and why they earn such high salaries. Understanding these top earners can give us insights into what it takes to be successful in the corporate world.

List of the World’s Highest paid CEOs

Here are the top 10 highest paid CEOs in 2024, along with the companies they work for and their total compensation. The figures represent the compensation paid, as per the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This includes defined pension benefits and the actual value of stock awards.

1. Elon Musk

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, also owns X (formerly Twitter). In 2023, his compensation from Tesla surpassed $1 billion. Musk has consistently been one of the highest-paid U.S. executives. Rather than receiving a traditional salary, he earns stock options when Tesla hits certain market goals. These options let him buy Tesla stock at $23.33 per share, much lower than the 2024 price of about $250.

Musk’s compensation has been controversial. In 2024, a Delaware judge ruled his pay plan illegal and unfair to Tesla shareholders. Despite this, shareholders later re-approved the package. This performance-based plan has significantly benefited Musk, making him the richest person in the world, with a net worth of $269 billion.

2. Alexander Karp

Alex Karp is the CEO of Palantir Technologies, a company known for its AI-powered data analytics software. While unconfirmed reports exist that Palantir’s Gotham platform helped locate Osama bin Laden in 2011, the company has since expanded its reach.

Today, Palantir serves a variety of industries beyond defense and anti-terrorism. Their clients include retail, telecommunications, automotive, and healthcare sectors. This diversification has helped Palantir grow and support a wide range of businesses.

Karp’s successful leadership has led to a significant personal fortune. His estimated net worth is around $4.9 billion, reflecting his role in steering Palantir to new heights.

3. Hock E. Tan

Hock E. Tan has been the president and CEO of Broadcom, a leading semiconductor company, since 2006. Under his leadership, Broadcom has seen significant growth, especially with the rise of AI infrastructure. In early 2023, the company’s value was $245 billion, skyrocketing to over $800 billion by the latter half of 2024.

In 2023, Tan’s reported compensation was $161 million. This included a $1.2 million salary and a $160.5 million stock award. Due to adjustments for the fair value of the stock awards, the actual compensation paid was higher, reaching $767 million. Tan’s leadership and strategic decisions have been crucial in Broadcom’s impressive growth and success.

4. Brian Armstrong

Brian Armstrong serves as the co-founder and CEO of Coinbase, a popular cryptocurrency exchange platform. Coinbase went public in 2021 and reached its highest stock price that same year. As of 2024, the stock is trading at about 34% below its peak value.

In addition to his work with Coinbase, Armstrong founded the nonprofit Givecrypto.org in 2018. This organization distributes cryptocurrency to help people in need. 

Armstrong has also signed the Giving Pledge, committing to donate most of his wealth to charitable causes. His dedication to philanthropy highlights his commitment to positively impacting the world.

5. Safra A. Catz

Safra Catz became the CEO of Oracle in 2014 after co-founder Larry Ellison stepped down. According to SEC filings, she has had a base salary of $950,000 since 2012.

In the fiscal year ending May 31, 2024, Catz received a cash bonus of $5.2 million, which makes her one of the World’s highest paid CEOs. Most of her compensation comes from equity awards, which have been part of a plan since 2018. 

These stock options vest when Oracle meets specific market capitalization and operational targets. Catz’s leadership continues to drive Oracle’s growth and success.

6. Brian Chesky

Brian Chesky serves as the co-founder and CEO of Airbnb. In 2023, his official annual salary was just $1, but he also received $295,125 in other types of compensation. Most of his earnings come from changes in the value of his equity awards, both vested and unvested.

Brian Chesky’s net worth is estimated at $9.4 billion. He has signed the Giving Pledge, promising to donate most of his CEO earnings to charitable causes. 

7. Jon Winkelried

Jon Winkelried has served as the CEO of TPG, a private equity firm, since 2015. Under his leadership, TPG went public in 2022 and has more than doubled its stock price since then.

In 2023, Winkelried earned a base salary of $509,615. He also received stock awards worth $189 million and other compensation totaling $13 million. The final compensation figure also includes adjustments to reflect the fair value of the stock awards, bringing his total to a higher amount. With such a huge fortune, he ranks on numer 7 of our list of highest paid CEOs.

8. Jeff T. Green

Jeff Green is the founder and CEO of The Trade Desk, a digital advertising company he established in 2009. The company went public in 2016. Back in its early days, The Trade Desk’s stock traded below $5, but after a stock split in 2021, its price has soared above $100.

In 2023, Green’s salary was $1 million. Additionally, he earned $4.7 million in nonequity incentive compensation. The rest of his compensation package includes options and stock awards.

Jeff Green’s net worth is around $6.5 billion. He has joined the Giving Pledge, promising to donate 90% of his wealth during his lifetime or after death. 

9. Adam Foroughi

Adam Foroughi is the co-founder and CEO of AppLovin, a company that makes mobile games. He funded the company himself from 2011 to 2018 before securing $400 million from private equity firm KKR. AppLovin went public in 2021, and its value has more than doubled since then.

In 2023, Foroughi’s salary was $400,000. Most of his income comes from equity awards, reflecting his significant role in the company. His net worth is estimated to be around $5.2 billion.

10. Nikesh Arora

Nikesh Arora has been the chairman and CEO of Palo Alto Networks, a leading cybersecurity company, since mid-2018. Under his leadership, the company has seen a remarkable increase in value, growing by over 400%.

For the fiscal year ending July 2024, Arora’s salary was $1 million. He also earned $1.2 million through a non-equity incentive plan and $1.6 million in other compensation. Like many top CEOs, the majority of his pay comes from equity awards.

Conclusion

So, we explored some of the highest paid CEOs in the world. These leaders play key roles in their companies, guiding them to success and growth. Their high compensation reflects their important contributions and leadership.

We learned about various CEOs from different industries, including technology, finance, and advertising. Each CEO has a unique story and has driven significant achievements in their field. Their compensation packages often include salaries, bonuses, and stock awards, showing the value they bring to their companies.