Steve Jobs was earlier reported to have been eclipsed by Tim Cook as the longest-reigning Apple CEO, but that has not been his only achievement, as he took the California-based titan from a multi-billion-dollar entity to the world’s first $4 trillion company. Naturally, one would expect that Cook’s annual salary would match Apple’s current market value, but according to the latest figures, it is the complete opposite. In fact, Cook earns surprisingly less than other CEOs, which could be considered a bit unfair, but when you’re pocketing millions, we doubt these individuals would complain.
Despite being the seventh-highest-paid Chief Executive in the U.S., Tim Cook earns the average citizen’s annual compensation in just 7 hours
A new report from Fortune states that Cook’s take-home salary is $74.6 million, allowing him to purchase a new home valued at $439,000 in just two days. Apple’s Chief Executive also gets paid the equivalent of what an average U.S. citizen earns in a few hours, highlighting a massive pay disparity, but compared to other executives, the figure isn’t all that high. For instance, Microsoft, which is valued at $3.53 trillion, pays its CEO, Satya Nadella, $79.1 million, whereas Starbucks' head honcho, Brian Niccol, earns $95.8 million.
As for the highest-earning CEO in America, that would be Axon’s Rick Smith, who smiles all the way to the bank with an annual compensation of $164.5 million. Keep in mind that these figures are only estimates, but it should be noted that CEO salaries are tied to their performance and other contract stipulations. However, based on a previous report that showcased an infograph, during Tim Cook’s 14-year tenure, he increased Apple’s value by a jaw-dropping 13,900 percent, pretty much confirming why he deserves a higher compensation.
Under Cook’s leadership, Apple raked in a record $124.3 billion in revenue for fiscal Q1 2025, and with the iPhone 17 selling like hot cakes, there’s a possibility that the aforementioned number is surpassed when the company posts its fiscal Q1 2026 earnings. In addition to his dedication to the company, Tim Cook also exudes exceptional morality because he took a 40 percent pay cut in 2023 to prevent any unnecessary layoffs in the company.
News Source: Fortune
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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