Who are the highest-paid S&P 500 CEOs of 2023?

Who are the highest-paid S&P 500 CEOs of 2023?
Median total compensation up by 12.6% for CEOs – compared to 5.2% for employees.
JUN 10, 2024

Broadcom Inc CEO Hock Tan emerged as the highest paid chief executive in 2023, with a total compensation of $161,826,161.

This is according to the latest Equilar study on the CEO compensation at S&P 500 companies, which reviewed the trends in compensation awards for CEOs who served in the role for at least two years as of fiscal year end 2023.

Tan landed on top of the 341 chief executives featured in the report and was the only CEO with nine-digit total compensation in 2023.

Coming in second is Fair Isaac Corporation CEO William Lansing, with a total compensation of $66,349,962, according to the report. Apple CEO Tim Cook placed third with a total compensation of $63,209,845.


Source: Equilar | Associated Press

The highest-paid female CEOs include Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. CEO Lisa Su ($30,348,281), General Motors Company CEO Mary Barra ($27,847,405), and Citigroup Inc. CEO Jane Fraser ($25,458,313)

By industry, the communication services reported the largest pay packages for their CEOs with a median total compensation of $24,399,968. Coming in second is the Consumer Defensive sector ($17,696,889), and then the Healthcare sector ($17,289,877).

CEO PAY SPIKE

Meanwhile, median total compensation for S&P 500 chief executives went up by 12.6% to $16.3 million in 2023, a "significant increase" from the 0.9% hike last year, according to the report.

Stock awards largely contributed to the overall rise in total compensation, with the median value of stock awards surging 10.7% to $9.4 million in 2023.

The nearly 13% pay compensation rise among chief executives outpaced the pay hike rate enjoyed by employees. According to the report, the median S&P 500 employee earned $81,467 in 2023, a 5.2% increase from 2022.

This raised the CEO Pay ratio to 196 in 2023, significantly higher than the 185 in 2022.

Latest News

The 2025 InvestmentNews Awards Excellence Awardees revealed
The 2025 InvestmentNews Awards Excellence Awardees revealed

From outstanding individuals to innovative organizations, find out who made the final shortlist for top honors at the IN awards, now in its second year.

Top RIA Cresset warns of 'inevitable' recession amid tariff uncertainty
Top RIA Cresset warns of 'inevitable' recession amid tariff uncertainty

Cresset's Susie Cranston is expecting an economic recession, but says her $65 billion RIA sees "great opportunity" to keep investing in a down market.

Edward Jones joins the crowd to sell more alternative investments
Edward Jones joins the crowd to sell more alternative investments

“There’s a big pull to alternative investments right now because of volatility of the stock market,” Kevin Gannon, CEO of Robert A. Stanger & Co., said.

Record RIA M&A activity marks strong start to 2025
Record RIA M&A activity marks strong start to 2025

Sellers shift focus: It's not about succession anymore.

IB+ Data Hub offers strategic edge for U.S. wealth advisors and RIAs advising business clients
IB+ Data Hub offers strategic edge for U.S. wealth advisors and RIAs advising business clients

Platform being adopted by independent-minded advisors who see insurance as a core pillar of their business.

SPONSORED Compliance in real time: Technology's expanding role in RIA oversight

RIAs face rising regulatory pressure in 2025. Forward-looking firms are responding with embedded technology, not more paperwork.

SPONSORED Advisory firms confront crossroads amid historic wealth transfer

As inheritances are set to reshape client portfolios and next-gen heirs demand digital-first experiences, firms are retooling their wealth tech stacks and succession models in real time.