Living paycheck to paycheck is the reality for nearly 50% of American citizens, but the grass is greener on the other side for company heads whose executive compensation rakes in millions of dollars each year.
While this may come as no surprise, big name company employees are also earning a big-time paycheck.
Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) created quite the controversy after posting fourth-quarter earnings on Feb 5. Though TWTR stock rallied strongly on results, many were talking about the lavish salaries some top TWTR employees receive.
With an average annual salary of $125,000 and the execs making much more than that, TWTR employees seem to be the only ones benefiting from company shares. It’s easy to see why Twitter Inc ranked second on Glassdoor’s list of “The 10 Best Companies to Work for in 2015” when you’re getting paid that much!
Such a shocking revelation can only lead a person to wonder how great a salary the highest paid CEO’s are bringing in on a yearly basis.
Well, here’s some insight into the world of five CEOs whose astronomical executive compensation are ranked among the highest in the country.
Five of the Highest Paid CEOs
Leslie Moonves: $65 million
Leslie Moonves, President and CEO of CBS Corporation (NYSE:CBS), won the top-spot for highest paid CEO in the TV and film industry. In fact, he earned even more executive compensation than industry competitors like Robert Iger of Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS), who has a total net worth of $34 million, and David Zaslav of Discovery Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:DISCA), whose total net worth comes out at $50 million.
As the most-watched TV network in the United States, it comes as no surprise that Les is one of the highest paid CEOs in America. According to Bloomberg, Moonves has a whopping $251 million severance package waiting for him when the time comes to throw in the towel. Not bad, eh?
Lowell McAdam: $15 million
Verizon Communications Inc’s (NYSE:VZ), Lowell McAdam, also makes the list with an executive compensation of $15 million. Stepping into his new role of Chief Executive Officer on August 1, 2011, McAdam’s witnessed a hike in salary as the leading telecommunications company has continued to experience success.
Jeff Weiner: $49 million
Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Weiner is LinkedIn Corp’s (NYSE:LNKD) front-man and another of America’s highest paid CEOs. Making approximately $49 million in 2014 alone, Weiner’s business-oriented social networking website is making him $1.56 per second!
Stephen Kaufer: $39 million
Tripadvisor Inc’s (NASDAQ:TRIP) President and CEO, Stephen Kaufer, made $39 million in total compensation during fiscal 2014. Of his colossal executive compensation, $450,000 was only an end-of-year bonus. That’s not too shabby when your yearly salary is totaling out at $500,000.
Philippe Dauman: $37 million
Viacom, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAB) is a global mass media company. In terms of revenue, it ranks sixth in the world of largest broadcasting and Cable Companies, ensuring its Chief Executive a place on America’s highest paid CEOs list. Earning himself a hefty $37 million in annual income, Dauman added an extra$110 million to his wealth from stock options and vested shares in Viacom stock.
As of this writing, Anna Rider did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
