Fortune

CEO Pay is Skyrocketing as the Average Worker Struggles to Keep Up With Inflation

The rich got richer in 2021, as the median pay for the nation’s CEOs is on pace to set a record this year, up a whopping 19% over the year before.

Just one year after many CEOs took pay cuts amid the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, median pay rose to $14.2 million last year for chief executives of S&P 500 companies, according to MyLogIQ LLC, which tracks salary data from companies.

While not every CEO saw an increase—roughly a quarter of the CEOs took a pay cut in 2021—the majority saw their salary rise by at least 11% and nearly one-third saw salary hikes of at least 25%, according to The Wall Street Journal’s analysis of MyLogIQ’s data.

Adjusted for inflation, which is currently at its highest point in 40 years, the raise for CEOs in 2021 was only about 1.3% over the previous year, according to an analysis from economics blogger Kevin Drum.

admin

Recent Posts

‘Mission First:’ Military Directors More Likely to Hold CEOs Accountable

Boards have been steadily reinforcing their ranks through the addition of more directors with military…

2 months ago

Boards Consider Politically Connected Directors Under New Administration

Governance Professionals Caution Against Knee-Jerk Reactions to Shifting Political Winds Meta Platforms added Dana White,…

2 months ago

Let It Snow: CEOs with Cozy Pay and Cold Returns

Where CEO pay climbed and performance sank last year Danaher and United Parcel Service were…

3 months ago

How Boards Can Craft a Next-Level AI Strategy for 2025

As artificial intelligence grows more accessible, boards may have no choice but to embrace it…

3 months ago

Director Details: Who’s at the Table in 2024

A look at the demographics and skills of S&P 500 directors. Corporate boards have greater…

3 months ago

Long-Tenured Independent Directors Lower Litigation, Activist Risks

Companies with independent directors who've served on the board for more than 15 years are…

3 months ago