Executive pay in 2024 reached new heights, with top CEOs across industries securing multimillion-dollar compensation packages. According to recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), CEO salaries and bonuses continued their upward trajectory, with some leaders earning tens of millions more than they did the previous year. From Wall Street powerhouses to tech titans, here’s a closer look at the eight highest-paid executives of 2024 and the financial milestones that shaped their paychecks.
Brian Niccol – Starbucks ($96 million)
The new Starbucks CEO, who previously led Chipotle, made a staggering $96 million in 2024. While his base salary was a relatively modest $61,538, he secured a $5 million cash bonus and an eye-watering $90 million in stock awards. The bulk of this compensation came from Starbucks buying out Niccol’s forfeited Chipotle shares as part of his transition to the coffee giant. His earnings represent a significant jump from the $22.5 million he made at Chipotle in 2023.
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Tim Cook – Apple ($74.6 million)
Despite a 40% pay cut in 2023, Apple’s CEO saw a boost in total compensation, earning $74.6 million in 2024—$10 million more than the previous year. His base salary remained steady at $3 million, while the bulk of his pay came in stock awards. Cook’s package underscores Apple’s continued confidence in his leadership, even after shareholder pressure led to his pay reduction in 2023.
Bob Iger – Disney ($41.1 million)
Returning to the helm of Disney has proven lucrative for Bob Iger, who made $41.1 million in 2024, a 30% increase from $31.6 million in 2023. Iger’s compensation—comprising a $1 million base salary and the rest in stock and cash bonuses—was tied to Disney’s improved financials. The company’s streaming division, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, turned profitable for the first time, posting $321 million in profit in Q4 2024 alone.
David Solomon – Goldman Sachs ($39 million)
Goldman Sachs’ CEO saw a 26% increase in his pay, raking in $39 million in 2024 compared to $31 million the year prior. Solomon’s package included a $2 million salary, $8.3 million in cash bonuses, and the rest in stock awards. Additionally, he and Goldman Sachs President John Waldron were granted $80 million in restricted stock that will fully vest in 2030—if they remain with the firm.
Jamie Dimon – JPMorgan Chase ($39 million)
The Wall Street veteran’s pay climbed 8.3% in 2024 to $39 million, up from $36 million in 2023. Dimon’s compensation—$1.5 million in salary plus stock and cash bonuses—was fueled by JPMorgan’s record-breaking net income of $58.5 billion in 2024, the highest in the bank’s history. His leadership through economic uncertainty and strategic acquisitions solidified JPMorgan’s dominance.
Cristiano Amon – Qualcomm ($25.9 million)
Qualcomm’s CEO saw his earnings grow to $25.9 million in 2024, compared to $23.5 million the year before. Amon, who has been with Qualcomm for 27 years, received a base salary of $1.35 million, with the rest allocated in stock awards. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding Qualcomm’s chip technology beyond smartphones and into AI and automotive sectors.
Paul Reilly – Raymond James ($24.05 million)
Ahead of his transition to Executive Chairman in February 2025, Raymond James CEO Paul Reilly secured a $24.05 million paycheck, a 17% increase from 2023. His compensation included a $750,000 base salary and an $11.65 million cash bonus, with stock awards making up the remainder. His tenure was marked by record recruitment, with advisors generating $335 million in revenue in 2024.
Jenny Johnson – Franklin Templeton ($17.2 million)
Jenny Johnson, the CEO of Franklin Templeton, earned $17.2 million in 2024, up from $15.1 million in 2023. Her base salary remained $750,000, while stock awards made up the bulk of her compensation. Johnson, who has spent 35 years at Franklin Templeton, is a third-generation leader of the firm, originally founded by her grandfather in 1947.
CEO Pay Gap: A Widening Divide
CEO compensation remains a hot-button issue, with executive pay surging while wages for average workers lag. According to the Economic Policy Institute, in 2023, CEOs made 290 times more than the average worker, a stark contrast to 1965, when the ratio was 21-to-1. With stock-based incentives continuing to drive executive pay, the gap shows no signs of narrowing.
While some shareholders have pushed for greater oversight on CEO compensation, the latest figures suggest that corporate boards remain willing to offer record-breaking pay to retain top talent. With public scrutiny on executive pay only intensifying, it remains to be seen whether 2025 will bring further increases—or a market correction.
