Equilar100 Report 2025 US Company CEO Compensation Rankings: Wayfair's Shah Tops with $281 Million, Broadcom's Chen Fuyang at $205 Million

Equilar100 released its latest report yesterday (April 23), indicating that the median compensation for CEOs of publicly traded U.S. companies in 2025 reached $29.4 million, a year-on-year increase of 23.2%, marking the largest pay increase since 2021. Driven by post-pandemic incentive measures, CEO compensation surged by 30.8% in 2021.

According to the top ten list published in the report, five CEOs surpassed the $100 million threshold. Wayfair CEO Niraj Shah ranked first with total compensation of $281 million, while Broadcom CEO Hock Tan was second with $205 million. The majority of their compensation comes from stock awards tied to long-term performance targets.

Public information shows that Wayfair was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Boston, USA. It is one of the largest e-commerce platforms in North America and Europe focusing on furniture and home goods. Referred to as "a tech company delayed by furniture," it connects over 16,000 global suppliers with more than 30 million active customers, selling tens of millions of products including lighting, kitchenware, and furniture.

The rising value of stock awards is a key driver behind the growth in total compensation. The median value of stock awards for 2025 soared by 38.8% to $21.9 million, accounting for over 70% of total compensation. Cash compensation also remained strong, with base salary increasing by 5.3% and cash bonuses rising by 17.2%.

According to the rankings, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella placed seventh with total compensation of $96.49 million in 2025; Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger’s compensation was $92.99 million.

Data shows that Tim Cook’s total compensation in 2025 is about $74 million. This amount is exactly the same as his 2024 earnings, keeping him steady at 11th on the list of highest-paid executives.

The widening pay gap trend is raising concerns. The median CEO-to-employee pay ratio expanded from 300:1 last year to 341:1, an increase of 13.7%. While the median employee pay also rose nearly 10% to $99,229, the income gap continues to widen amid cost-cutting and increased investment in AI by enterprises.