Executive compensation packages for top CEOs surged by nearly 6 percent in 2025, reaching an average of $17.7 million. This increase reflects company boards’ efforts to reward executives for robust profits and rising stock prices, while also incentivizing them to remain at the helm and further boost shareholder value.
In stark contrast, the median employee at S&P 500 companies earned $89,744, a 4.7 percent increase year-over-year. While this gain outpaced inflation in 2025, many workers continued to grapple with the cumulative effect of higher prices in recent years, forcing them to economize and take on credit card debt for daily necessities.
