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The 20 Richest CEOs in the United States

When observing the salaries of the average CEO overseeing the largest corporations in the United States, we noticed that the income has increased steadily at a moderate rate over the last several years. Something else that we noticed is that while there have been a substantial number of complaints concerning the exorbitant salaries of Fortune 500 CEOs, the concentration of wealth among top-level CEOs is narrowing. In other words, fewer CEOs are getting the big bucks. However, those CEOs who are getting paid well are getting paid extremely well.CEO overseeing the largest corporations in the United States, we noticed that the income has increased steadily at a moderate rate over the last several years. Something else that we noticed is that while there have been a substantial number of complaints concerning the exorbitant salaries of Fortune 500 CEOs, the concentration of wealth among top-level CEOs is narrowing. In other words, fewer CEOs are getting the big bucks. However, those CEOs who are getting paid well are getting paid extremely well.

In order to give you an idea of what the top CEOs are worth based on their salaries, we compiled a list of the 20 richest CEOs in the United States. Keep in mind that this is only the top 20.

20. Trevor Fetter, Tenet Healthcare

When examining job industry markets, the healthcare industry is one of the most potent industries not only in the United States but around the globe, so it can be understood that healthcare companies would be experiencing substantial growth, and the growth projections for the industry is not expected to slow until well into the next decade. So, maybe that justifies the $22.4 million salary of Trevor Fetter, which is a 146 percent increase over what he earned the previous year.States but around the globe, so it can be understood that healthcare companies would be experiencing substantial growth, and the growth projections for the industry is not expected to slow until well into the next decade. So, maybe that justifies the $22.4 million salary of Trevor Fetter, which is a 146 percent increase over what he earned the previous year.

19. Alan Mullaly, Ford Motor Corporation

There is no questioning the fact that the U.S. car industry has gone through its share of struggles and controversies, and Ford Motor Corporation has been right there in the center of the action. One thing that can be said about Ford is that it finds a way to keep control of its brand while expanding its customer base. There have been acquisitions like that of Land Rover and Jaguar that did not pan out, but the automobile manufacturer keeps plugging away. Ford pays its CEO, Alan Mullaly, $22.5 million per year, which is an 11.2 percent increase on the previous year.car industry has gone through its share of struggles and controversies, and Ford Motor Corporation has been right there in the center of the action. One thing that can be said about Ford is that it finds a way to keep control of its brand while expanding its customer base. There have been acquisitions like that of Land Rover and Jaguar that did not pan out, but the automobile manufacturer keeps plugging away. Ford pays its CEO, Alan Mullaly, $22.5 million per year, which is an 11.2 percent increase on the previous year.

18. Brian L. Roberts, Comcast

The entertainment industry and the subsequent media outlets that distribute all forms of entertainment is in the middle of a metamorphosis in which television and film media is being revolutionized. There have been mergers such as the acquisition of Direct TV by AT&T, and other significant moves of media giants. One media giant that continues to place itself in an optimal position is Comcast, and the growth and stability of this company is reflected in the $22.6 million salary it pays its CEO, Brian Roberts.is reflected in the $22.6 million salary it pays its CEO, Brian Roberts.

17. Charles Scharf, Visa

There is no questioning the fact that Visa is one of the most recognized brands on the planet, and its influence on the financial market is beyond significant. As the financial markets are beginning to shift and new currencies are flooding the market, it is not certain how Visa will respond to these massive shifts, but the company’s history suggests that it will respond in a way that prove beneficial over the long-term, justifying the $23.4 million dollar salary it pays Charles W. Scharf to run the company.Scharf to run the company.

16. Laurence D. Fink, BlackRock

Again, when it comes to companies that have the ability to directly impact the financial market, it is safe to postulate that they will benefit from the market whether it is moving up and down. With BlackRock being the world’s largest asset manager, it is safe to say that its movement and influence in the financial market has netted its investors quite an impressive ROI. With the type of money that this company is producing, the $24 million annual salary it pays its top guy, Laurence Fink is a drop in the bucket.being the world’s largest asset manager, it is safe to say that its movement and influence in the financial market has netted its investors quite an impressive ROI. With the type of money that this company is producing, the $24 million annual salary it pays its top guy, Laurence Fink is a drop in the bucket.

15. Kenneth I. Chenault, American Express

By now, you are starting to see a theme developing. Companies that have the ability to directly impact the financial markets in the way of debt, revenue, asset management, etc. are the ones that seem to be in the best position to pay top dollar for the best company leadership available. The financial market is so competitive that it almost demands these high salaries just to keep these brilliant financial minds. American Express pays Kenneth I. Chenault $24.4 million per year to work his magic — 10.9 percent increase over last year.are the ones that seem to be in the best position to pay top dollar for the best company leadership available. The financial market is so competitive that it almost demands these high salaries just to keep these brilliant financial minds. American Express pays Kenneth I. Chenault $24.4 million per year to work his magic — 10.9 percent increase over last year.

14. David N. Farr, Emerson Electric

Another industry that falls under the category of consumer essentials is the energy industry. Every citizen in the United State will have some type of need for an energy product, and while the energy industry is being faced with significant challenges as far as clean and sustainable energy is concerned, those that are leading the charge are doing fairly well. Emerson Electric continues to be a major player in the game, and it shows in the $24.9 million salary it pays its CEO, David Farr.

13. Rupert K. Murdoch, 21st Century Fox

Rupert Murdoch is by far one of the most notable CEOs on this list. He has been in the hot seat for some time due to the exception that many have taken to the culture and philosophy that guides much of Fox’s programming. But despite the negative publicity, 21st Century Fox remains a juggernaut in the world of media, and for that reason, Rupert Murdoch remains one of the highest-paid CEO in the U.S. — earning $25.8 million per year.earning $25.8 million per year.

12. Rex W. Tillerson, ExxonMobil

There are many of us today that remember when the merger between Exxon and Mobil first took place. It was clear to anyone who had even a minimal perspicacity of finance and business that this ExxonMobil would be a major player in energy production for years to come. It seems that the company has no plans on slowing its research and development efforts nor does it plan on relinquishing its share of the market. And the company pays Rex Tillerson $27.6 million to make sure they do not lose their edge.

11. Lloyd C. Blankfein, Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs was the only one of the major world Banks that did not need government intercession over the long-term in order to recover from the financial crisis of the last decade. With that being said, the company maintains a great deal of freedom in how it conducts it financial business, and it is probably as strong as it has been for some time. There are a lot of shifts to be expected in the financial markets in the coming year, and Goldman Sachs has paid Lloyd Blankfein $28 million per year to make sure that the company is prepared.

10. Jeffrey R. Immelt, General Electric

When it comes to companies with proven track records that prove they know how to weather financial and economic storms, General Electric definitely makes the cut. The company has been around for decades and it continues to evolve to meet the challenges that are presented by technology revolution and market shifts. One of the reasons for the recent success of the company is its CEO, Jeffry R. Immelt, which will earn $28.2 million this year.

9. Fabrizio Freda, Estee Lauder

With so much happening in the financial markets, one would postulate that companies that are centered on beauty and fashion would not be faring so well in such a volatile market, but amazingly, many of the high-end fashion and fragrance lines tend to fare extremely well, regardless of the movement of the financial market. Estee Lauder remains a leader in beauty products and fragrances, and they pay Fabrizio Freda $30.9 million per year to keep them on track, which is an increase of 140.1 percent more than he earned last year.

8. Mark T. Bertolini, Aetna

Aetna is a company that has prided itself in being able to provide individuals and companies with the type of financial products that can offer the short-term and long-term financial protection they need to feel confident about their financial future. With the financial market becoming increasingly competitive, it has been a strong focus of the company to hold on to its share of the market, and they compensate Mart T. Bertolini quite well to ensure that it happens, paying him $31.22 million in annual earnings.

7. Jeffrey L. Bewkes, Time Warner

In the same line of reason as presented for Comcast, cable and satellite providers are in the process of completely overhauling the manner in which they deliver programming to their customers, and while Comcast has been on the cutting edge of technology in what it offers its customers, Time Warner still finds a way to hold on to a huge share of the market, and they are paying Jeffrey Bewkes a handsome salary of $32.4 million per year to keep the long-standing cable company in the game.

6. Robert A. Iger, Disney

When it comes to entertainment, there is no arguing that Disney is a powerful juggernaut that uses multiple mediums to engage its fans. Not only is the company heavily invested in film production, but it owns and runs multiple multi-faceted theme parks that generate billions of dollars each year. To run a conglomerate of this magnitude, it takes an ingenious yet flexible mind, and they have entrusted that job to Robert Iger — paying him $33.4 million per year to keep things running smoothly.

5. Philippe Dauman, Viacom

Viacom is yet another media giant that has benefitted from America’s thirst for entertainment at all cost. The company is not only holding its position in a highly competitive market, but it is anticipating growth in the coming years. In order to ensure growth in such a competitive market, there has to be leadership that has the ability to think laterally and critically while reading the moving of the market, and they have entrusted that duty to Philippe Dauman, who is paid $36.8 million per year to do what he does.

4. Richard C. Adkerson, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold

While technology and new markets are driving the global economy, there are certain mainstays that simply cannot be denied for their perseverance in providing value. One area in which value persists over time is in the area of precious metals. Although the United States is no longer under the Gold Standard, Gold, Copper and other metals are still performing very well in the investment world, and Freeport is paying Richard Adkerson $38.9 million per year to keep them on track.

3. Michael T. Fries, Liberty Global

When it comes to financial companies, Liberty Global is one of the highest performing and steadiest companies in the world. When financial markets are consistent displaying turbulence and volatility, it takes a brilliant financial mind that also understand the evolution of business to hold things steady when everything seems to be moving against the company. Liberty Global as placed a great deal of trust in its CEO, Michael Fries — paying him $45.4 million plus bonuses in annual compensation.

2. Leslie Moonves, CBS

The fact that Leslie Moonves is the only major television network CEO on the list speaks volumes. I guess you could count Rupert Murdoch, but he is running 21st Century Fox which includes the film division as well. With the influx of new networks like Netflix and Hulu, the major networks are being challenged more now than ever to step up their game, and Leslie Moonves seems to be up to the task. And, he should be up to the task being that CBS is paying him a whopping $65.4 million per year to ensure that the company remains competitive.

1. Lawrence J. Ellison, Oracle

With technology taking a front seat in the development of new businesses, customer interaction and everyday life, it should come as no surprise that the top position on this list would go to a company head of a technology-based company. Oracle is the leader in software solutions across a number of different platforms, and Lawrence Ellison has continued to push the company to new heights. In turn, the company has provided him with a salary that is commensurate with the performance that he produced. Ellison will earn a cool $76.9 million this year, and that does not include bonuses. That is more than $11 million over his closest colleague.

One thing is for certain is that this list will likely look a lot different in the coming years as more technology-driven companies are forced to pay their CEOs exorbitant salaries in order to keep them.

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Maria McCutchen

Written by Maria McCutchen

Maria McCutchen is an author and freelance writer living in Chattanooga, TN. She is the published author of her memoir, “It’s all in Your Head,” and a children’s book. She has been writing for over 15 years; writing articles, whitepapers, product write-ups and more for multiple online media sites, blogs, company websites and individuals. She is also an advocate for brain malformations, including Chiari Malformation, and works closely with the non-profit organization, The Chiari Project, writing for their quarterly newsletters.

Read more posts by Maria McCutchen

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