SEC Proxy Data · Updated Apr 2026
How Much Does the CEO Make - and Is It Justified?
CEOPayWatchWatch scores every S&P 500 executive on pay-for-performance using SEC proxy filings, comparing total compensation against shareholder returns, revenue growth, and the CEO-to-worker pay ratio. The median S&P 500 CEO earned $12.0M last year.
Search 209 companies. Every CEO gets a Pay-for-Performance Score from A to F based on shareholder returns, revenue growth, and worker pay ratios.
Highest Paid CEOs
View all rankingsAlphabetGOOGL
CEO: Sundar Pichai
Internet Services
AmazonAMZN
CEO: Andy Jassy
Internet Retail
Meta PlatformsMETA
CEO: Mark Zuckerberg
Social Media
AppleAAPL
CEO: Tim Cook
Technology Hardware
MicrosoftMSFT
CEO: Satya Nadella
Software
Bank of AmericaBAC
CEO: Brian Moynihan
Banks
OracleORCL
CEO: Safra Catz
Software
Cisco SystemsCSCO
CEO: Chuck Robbins
Networking
SalesforceCRM
CEO: Marc Benioff
Software
Goldman SachsGS
CEO: David Solomon
Investment Banking
AirbnbABNB
CEO: Brian Chesky
Online Travel
Berkshire HathawayBRK.B
CEO: Greg Abel
Diversified Financials
SnowflakeSNOW
CEO: Sridhar Ramaswamy
Cloud Computing
WorkdayWDAY
CEO: Carl Eschenbach
Software
Block IncSQ
CEO: Jack Dorsey
Fintech
QualcommQCOM
CEO: Cristiano Amon
Semiconductors
CrowdStrikeCRWD
CEO: George Kurtz
Cybersecurity
PayPal HoldingsPYPL
CEO: Alex Chriss
Fintech
IntelINTC
CEO: Pat Gelsinger
Semiconductors
NVIDIANVDA
CEO: Jensen Huang
Semiconductors
Explore CEO Pay Rankings
Best Pay-for-Performance
CEOs whose compensation best aligns with shareholder returns and company results.
Most Overpaid CEOs
CEOs with the lowest Pay-for-Performance Scores, high pay, poor alignment.
Biggest CEO Raises
Who got the largest year-over-year pay increase? Ranked by percentage change.
Say-on-Pay Watchlist
Companies where shareholders pushed back hardest on executive compensation.
CEO Pay Cuts
CEOs whose total compensation decreased year-over-year.
How CEO Pay Works
Learn how salary, stock, options, and bonuses combine into million-dollar packages.
CEO Pay by Industry
Semiconductors
10 companies · Avg CEO comp: $14.1M
Software
9 companies · Avg CEO comp: $21.5M
Electric Utilities
7 companies · Avg CEO comp: $9.3M
Pharmaceuticals
6 companies · Avg CEO comp: $12.5M
Aerospace & Defense
6 companies · Avg CEO comp: $11.7M
Medical Devices
6 companies · Avg CEO comp: $10.0M
Retail
5 companies · Avg CEO comp: $11.0M
Oil & Gas
5 companies · Avg CEO comp: $12.8M
Restaurants
5 companies · Avg CEO comp: $9.6M
Biotechnology
5 companies · Avg CEO comp: $11.5M
Banks
4 companies · Avg CEO comp: $17.6M
CEO Pay by State
Arizona
1 companies
Arkansas
2 companies
California
23 companies
Colorado
1 companies
Connecticut
4 companies
Delaware
1 companies
Florida
1 companies
Georgia
6 companies
Illinois
9 companies
Indiana
3 companies
Kentucky
1 companies
Maryland
1 companies
Massachusetts
4 companies
Michigan
4 companies
Minnesota
5 companies
Missouri
1 companies
Nebraska
2 companies
New Jersey
5 companies
New York
13 companies
North Carolina
4 companies
Ohio
7 companies
Oregon
1 companies
Pennsylvania
2 companies
Rhode Island
1 companies
Tennessee
2 companies
Texas
13 companies
Virginia
6 companies
Washington
6 companies
Featured Companies
Alphabet
BCEO comp: $40.0M · Internet Services
Qualcomm
CCEO comp: $22.3M · Semiconductors
Zoom Video
ACEO comp: $15.2M · Software
Southwest Airlines
CCEO comp: $13.0M · Airlines
Caterpillar
CCEO comp: $12.0M · Machinery
Johnson & Johnson
BCEO comp: $12.0M · Pharmaceuticals
Palantir Technologies
ACEO comp: $12.0M · Software
TJX Companies
CCEO comp: $12.0M · Retail
American Tower
CCEO comp: $8.0M · Infrastructure REITs
Copart
ACEO comp: $8.0M · Auto Auctions
Fortinet
ACEO comp: $8.0M · Cybersecurity
Kinder Morgan
BCEO comp: $8.0M · Gas Pipelines
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Pay-for-Performance Score?
The Pay-for-Performance Score is CEOPayWatch's proprietary grading system that rates CEO compensation alignment from A (well-justified) to F (poorly justified). It weighs four factors: 3-year total shareholder return (40%), revenue growth vs compensation growth (30%), say-on-pay shareholder vote approval (20%), and CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio compared to industry peers (10%).
Where does this data come from?
All compensation data comes from SEC proxy statements (DEF 14A filings), which public companies are required to file annually. These documents contain executive compensation tables, say-on-pay vote results, and CEO-to-median-worker pay ratios.
What is a say-on-pay vote?
Since 2011, shareholders of public companies vote annually on whether they approve of executive compensation packages. While non-binding, low approval rates (below 70%) often signal shareholder dissatisfaction and can pressure boards to reform pay practices.
How is the CEO-to-worker pay ratio calculated?
The SEC requires companies to disclose the ratio of CEO compensation to the median employee's pay. This figure appears in proxy statements. A ratio of 300:1 means the CEO earns 300 times what the median worker earns.
How much does a Bank of America CEO make?
Bank of America CEO compensation is disclosed in their annual SEC proxy filing. Total compensation includes base salary, stock awards, option awards, and other compensation. Look up the full breakdown on the Bank of America company page to see salary, bonus, equity, and the Pay-for-Performance Score.
Who are the most overpaid CEOs?
The most overpaid CEOs are those with the lowest Pay-for-Performance Scores, high total compensation that doesn't align with shareholder returns or company results. Our ranking page shows CEOs graded D or F, meaning their pay significantly exceeds what performance would justify.