economy
CEO pay soared in 2025, 20 times faster than workers’ pay
Analysis finds real wages fell 12% since 2019, with inequality widening in the US beyond global levels
TL;DR
- CEO pay increased 20 times faster than worker pay globally in 2025.
- Global worker pay declined 12% between 2019 and 2025 after adjusting for inflation.
- CEO compensation increased by 54% between 2019 and 2025.
- Average CEO compensation in 2025 was $8.4 million.
- Billionaires were paid $2,500 per second in dividends in 2025.
- The wealth of billionaires reached record highs in 2026, gaining $4 trillion.
- Inequality in the US is worse than the global average, with CEO pay increasing 20.4 times faster than worker pay in 2025.
- For 384 S&P 500 CEOs, pay increased 25% from 2024 to 2025, while average worker earnings increased 1.3%.
- A 16% gender pay gap was found among the top 1,500 corporations, with women working for free after November 4th annually.
- The top 10 highest-paid CEOs collectively received over $1 billion in 2025.
- Oxfam and ITUC call for capping CEO pay, taxing the super-rich, and ensuring minimum wages keep pace with inflation.