Mary Barra of GM earned $48.2 million in realized compensation

General Motors CEO Mary Barra earned $48.2 million in realized compensation in 2024, representing a 61.7% increase from the previous year. This figure, which includes exercised stock options and equity awards, ranks her third among 57 U.S. automotive industry CEOs and related companies, according to the Automotive News/Equilar CEO Compensation Study.

Barra’s compensation follows Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang, who earned $152.9 million, and Flex CEO Revathi Advaithi, who earned $48.8 million. Among traditional automakers, Barra’s pay significantly exceeds that of Ford CEO Jim Farley, who earned $16.7 million, and Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, who received $12.4 million.

While GM led 2025 U.S. auto sales with 2.85 million vehicles, the company faces strategic shifts. GM is navigating uncertainties in its electric vehicle strategy, including temporary layoffs at its Factory Zero facility and a revised approach for Cadillac, which is now developing next-generation internal combustion engine versions of certain models.