S&P 500 CEO median pay reaches $17.3 million

According to the AFL-CIO's Executive Paywatch report, median compensation for CEOs at S&P 500 companies reached $17.3 million in 2025. When excluding Elon Musk, the average CEO-to-worker pay ratio stands at 312:1. However, including Musk's compensation shifts the average ratio to 5,387:1.

In a notable shift, the median salary for female CEOs in the S&P 500 reached $18.5 million in 2025, which is 11% higher than the median for their male counterparts. This increase is attributed largely to performance-based incentives rather than base salary. Research indicates that companies with female leadership often see higher profitability and shareholder returns.

The report highlights that stock-based compensation is a primary driver of these high executive pay packages, as leaders benefit from rising company valuations. This trend occurs alongside reports of financial strain among the general workforce, including food insecurity and medical cost concerns.