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Annual pay packages for the CEOs of major corporations in America can reach over a billion dollars per year.
This graphic lists the best-paid CEOs in the U.S. in 2023, according to research from C-Suite Comp.
Methodology
This data covers leaders’ compensation at nearly 4,000 publicly traded U.S. companies. The dataset includes executives’ salaries, bonuses, perks, and stock options, among other factors. It also considers recent changes in the value of current and potential stock holdings.
Top CEOs by Compensation in 2023
Elon Musk at the Top
Tesla CEO Elon Musk was the best-paid CEO in the U.S. last year, earning about $1.4 billion. With a net worth of $205.4 billion in 2024, he also secured his position in our ranking of the wealthiest billionaires in the world in 2024.
| CEO | Company | Industry | Compensation |
| Elon Musk | Tesla | Automotive & Energy | $1.4B |
| Alexander Karp | Palantir Technologies | Software & Data Analytics | $1.1B |
| Hock Tan | Broadcom | Semiconductors | $768M |
| Brian Armstrong | Coinbase Global | Cryptocurrency Exchange | $681M |
| Safra Catz | Oracle | Software & Cloud Computing | $304M |
| Brian Chesky | Airbnb | Online Marketplace | $304M |
| Jon Winkelried | TPG | Private Equity | $295M |
| Jeff Green | Trade Desk | Digital Advertising | $292M |
| Adam Foroughi | AppLovin | Mobile Technology | $271M |
| Nikesh Arora | Palo Alto Networks | Cybersecurity | $266M |
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, topped the list of highest-paid CEOs in the U.S. in 2023, earning approximately $1.4 billion. His impressive earnings are supplemented by a net worth of $205.4 billion in 2024, solidifying his place among the world’s wealthiest individuals.
Following Musk is Alexander Karp, CEO of Palantir Technologies, who earned $1.1 billion. Palantir provides intelligence and defense tools to the U.S. Armed Forces and data integration and analysis services to corporate clients like Morgan Stanley and Airbus.
In third place is Hock Tan, the CEO of Broadcom Inc., a leading technology company specializing in semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions. Tan earned $768 million in 2023.
Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase Global, ranks fourth with a total compensation of $681 million. Coinbase is a major cryptocurrency exchange that has seen significant growth and development in recent years.
Safra Catz, the only woman on the list, is the CEO of Oracle Corporation. With a total compensation of $304 million, Catz has been instrumental in Oracle’s growth since joining the company in 1999, particularly through a series of strategic acquisitions.
Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, also earned $304 million in 2023. Chesky has led Airbnb through a period of rapid expansion, transforming the company into a global online marketplace for lodging and tourism experiences.
Jon Winkelried, CEO of TPG, a private equity firm, earned $295 million. Winkelried has played a crucial role in managing and growing TPG’s investment portfolio.
Jeff Green, CEO of Trade Desk, a digital advertising company, earned $292 million. Under Green’s leadership, Trade Desk has become a significant player in the digital advertising industry, providing innovative solutions for programmatic advertising.
Adam Foroughi, CEO of AppLovin, earned $271 million in 2023. AppLovin specializes in mobile technology and has developed a range of products and services to support mobile app developers.
Finally, Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, a cybersecurity company, earned $266 million. Arora has led Palo Alto Networks in its mission to protect organizations from cyber threats and enhance their cybersecurity measures.
The compensation packages of U.S. CEOs in 2023 highlight the substantial rewards for leading some of the world’s most influential companies. From Elon Musk’s billion-dollar earnings at Tesla to the significant compensation of leaders in technology, finance, and beyond, these figures underscore the high stakes and substantial rewards of executive leadership in today’s corporate landscape.
