CEO pay at S&P 500 companies rises nearly 6% to $17.7 million median in 2025
By
Daniel Miller
The bagel they save for the regulars. Don't skim, savour.
Summary
CEO compensation at S&P 500 companies rose nearly 6% to a median of $17.7 million in 2025, according to an Associated Press survey of 337 executives. The increase was driven by strong stock performance, higher corporate profits, and one-time financial incentives used to retain top executive talent. The survey analyzed pay data from executives who served at least two full fiscal years at their organizations.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledCEO compensation increased by almost 6% to $17.7 million last year as company boards rewarded their top executives for bigger profits and larger stock prices.
The Associated Press released its CEO compensation survey which utilized pay data for 337 executives at S&P 500 companies, who have served at least two full fiscal years at their organizations which filed statements between Jan. 1 and April 30.
Organizations leveraged high stock performance and one-time financial incentives to maintain executive talent, pushing CEO payments to millions of dollars.
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