Median pay for CEOs rose nearly 6% in 2025, but some compensation packages were eye-popping

The median CEO compensation in 2025 increased by nearly 6% to $17.7 million, while the median S&P 500 employee earned $89,744. The pay gap between CEOs and workers widened, with some CEOs earning over 1,700 times the median employee salary. Companies like Coca-Cola and TJX Cos. highlighted extreme disparities, and advocacy groups criticized the trend as unjust.