Nikesh Arora, CEO and chairman of Palo Alto Networks, is the sole Indian-American featured among the top 10 highest-paid CEOs in the United States, according to a recent report by C-Suite Comp, a data analytics firm. This report, published on Monday, diverges from the commonly highlighted Indian-origin executives in Silicon Valley, such as Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella, who did not make the list.
C-Suite Comp compiled two lists based on different metrics: “total compensation granted” and “compensation actually paid” in 2023. Remarkably, neither Google’s Sundar Pichai nor Microsoft’s Satya Nadella featured on either list, despite Microsoft’s significant achievements with OpenAI over the past year. Conversely, Nikesh Arora secured spots on both lists, highlighting his significant earnings.
In the “Highest earning CEOs in the US by total compensation granted in 2023” category, Arora ranked fourth with an impressive $151.4 million. Additionally, he was tenth in the “Highest earning CEOs in the US by compensation actually paid in 2023” category, with an annual compensation totaling $266.4 million.
Leading the list of highest-paid CEOs by actual compensation in 2023 is Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, with an astronomical earning of $1.4 billion. He is followed by Alexander Karp of Palantir Technologies, who also crossed the billion-dollar mark with $1.1 billion. Other notable CEOs on this list include Hock Tan of Broadcom, Brian Armstrong of Coinbase Global, and Safra Catz of Oracle.
Here’s a detailed look at the top earners:
- Elon Musk, Tesla – $1.4 billion
- Alexander Karp, Palantir Technologies- $1.1 billion
- Hock Tan, Broadcom- $767.7 million
- Brian Armstrong, Coinbase Global – $680.9 million
- Safra Catz, Oracle- $304.1 million
- Brian Chesky, Airbnb- $303.5 million
- Jon Winkelried, TPG – $295.1 million
- Jeff Green, Trade Desk – $291.7 million
- Adam Foroughi, Applovin- $271.3 million
- Nikesh Arora, Palo Alto Networks- $266.4 million
Nikesh Arora’s journey to becoming one of the highest-paid CEOs is noteworthy. He became the CEO of Palo Alto Networks in 2018, following a distinguished career at Google and SoftBank Group. Born 56 years ago to an Indian Air Force officer, Arora completed his early education at Air Force Public School in Delhi. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (now IIT-BHU). Furthering his education, he obtained an MBA from Northeastern University and an MSc from Boston College.
Arora’s professional trajectory includes a decade at Google, where he held senior leadership roles. In 2014, he transitioned to SoftBank Group, serving as its president and chief operating officer. His career also spans roles at T-Mobile and Bharti Airtel, Europe.
In his personal life, Arora is married to Ayesha Thapar, the granddaughter of the notable business magnate Karam Chand Thapar. This background not only highlights his professional achievements but also his significant personal affiliations.
Arora’s inclusion in the top 10 highest-paid CEOs in the US underscores the financial recognition of his leadership at Palo Alto Networks, a leading cybersecurity company. His dual appearances on both the “total compensation granted” and “compensation actually paid” lists further emphasize his substantial earnings and the high value placed on his executive role.
The achievement is particularly significant given the context of the technology industry, where other prominent Indian-American CEOs like Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella have not made the same lists despite their considerable influence and the technological advancements under their leadership. Arora’s recognition in these rankings demonstrates the diverse achievements of Indian-origin executives in the United States and the broad spectrum of industries where they make significant impacts.
Nikesh Arora stands out not just among Indian-origin executives, but across the entire landscape of American corporate leadership. His impressive earnings and notable career progression highlight his substantial contributions to the tech industry and his exceptional role at Palo Alto Networks. As the only Indian-American in the top 10 highest-paid CEOs in the US, Arora’s achievement is a testament to his hard work, expertise, and the high regard in which he is held within the business community.
