How much the top-paid CEOs made in 2022

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Alphabet Inc., the multinational technology conglomerate holding company and parent of Google, had the highest-paid S&P 500 CEO in 2022.

Alphabet’s CEO Sundar Pichai made nearly $226 million from his total compensation package, according to the 2023 Equilar/Associated Press CEO Pay Study of S&P 500 CEOs who have served in that role for at least two years as of fiscal year end 2022. Companies must have filed a proxy between Jan. 1 and May 1, 2023 to be included in this study.

The businesses on the S&P 500 make up more than 80% of the value of all stock on American exchanges. For 13 years, Equilar has partnered with the AP on annual CEO pay studies. The Equilar list determines total CEO salary compensation packages through information disclosed in company proxy statements including salary, bonus, stock and options valued at grant date, any deferred compensation, and other compensation (including benefits and perks).

Louisiana had one CEO rank on Equilar’s S&P 500 CEOs – Peter Arvan, CEO of Pool Corp. Arvan’s total compensation package was $5.8 million in 2022. Pool Corp. is the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool and related backyard products. Pool Corp. was added to the S&P 500 Index – a list of 500 of the largest companies in the U.S. – in 2020.
Here are something interesting statistics from the 2023 study:

• Median total compensation for S&P 500 CEOs was $14.8 million, up 0.9% from 2021.
  • Smallest year-over-year increase for S&P 500 CEOs since 2015.
  • Indiana was the top state for median CEO pay at $20.9 million, followed by Virginia at $20.7 million, and New York at $19 million.

S&P 500 CEOs – Top 5 Males and Top 5 Females

Note: The Equilar list determines total CEO salary compensation packages through information disclosed in company proxy statements including salary, bonus, stock and options valued at grant date, any deferred compensation, and other compensation (including benefits and perks).

S&P 500 Top Male CEOs

1. Sundar Pichai – Alphabet Inc. – $225,985,145
   • Change from 2021: Up 3,487% (Note: Stock award portion of his pay was $218 million; he received $6.3 million in 2021 when he didn’t receive the grant.)
   • CEO pay vs. typical workers at company: 800 times median salary
2. Michael Rapino – Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. – $139,005,565
   • Change from 2021: Up 907%
   • CEO pay vs. typical workers at company: 1,077 times median salary
3. Tim Cook – Apple Inc. – $99,420,097
   • Change from 2021: Up 1%
   • CEO pay vs. typical workers at company: 1,177 times median salary
4. Hock Tan – Broadcom Inc. – $60,606,971
   • Change from 2021: Same
   • CEO pay vs. typical workers at company: 338 times median salary
5. Vicente Reynal – Ingersoll Rand Inc. – $54,505,957
   • Change from 2021: Up 413%
   • CEO pay vs. typical workers at company: 669 times median salary

S&P 500 Top Female CEOs

1. Lisa Su – Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. – $30,219,921
   • Change from 2021: Up 2%
   • CEO pay vs. typical workers at company: 224 times median salary
2. Mary Barra – General Motors Company – $28,979,570
   • Change from 2021: Same
   • CEO pay vs. typical workers at company: 335 times median salary
3. Adena Friedman – Nasdaq, Inc. – $28,045,305
   • Change from 2021: Up 40%
   • CEO pay vs. typical workers at company: 283 times median salary
4. Phebe Novakovic – General Dynamics Corp. – $21,478,167
   • Change from 2021: Down 9%
   • CEO pay vs. typical workers at company: 242 times median salary
5. Lynn Good – Duke Energy Corporation – $21,008,835
   • Change from 2021: Up 30%
   • CEO pay vs. typical workers at company: 171 times median salary

Source: Equilar/Associated Press CEO Pay Study of S&P 500 CEOs 
*Have served in that role for at least two years as of fiscal year end 2022. Companies must have filed a proxy between Jan. 1 and May 1, 2023 to be included in this study. 

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