Apple's top boss, Tim Cook, received a total compensation package worth $74.3 million for the year 2025, according to the tech giant's latest regulatory filings. This figure marks a minor decrease from the $74.6 million he earned in the previous year, 2024.
Breaking Down the Apple CEO's Pay Package
The slight reduction in Cook's overall earnings is attributed to changes in his performance-based incentive payouts. Interestingly, his base salary and the value of his stock awards remained steady. A detailed look at his 2025 compensation reveals a structured package:
His base salary stayed fixed at $3 million, a rate that has not changed since 2016. The largest component came from stock awards, valued at $57.5 million. He also received performance-based cash incentives amounting to $12 million.
The remaining $1.76 million, categorized as 'Other Compensation,' covered several perks. These included company contributions to his retirement plan, insurance premiums, security costs, and personal air travel. Apple mandates that Cook use private aircraft for all travel, both business and personal, citing paramount security and efficiency reasons.
Performance-Driven Pay Above Target
Apple had initially set Cook's target compensation for the year at $59 million, identical to his 2024 target. However, stronger-than-expected company performance triggered larger incentive payouts, pushing his actual total earnings well above the intended mark. This outcome highlights the performance-linked nature of his remuneration.
How Other Apple Executives Were Compensated
Other senior leaders at the Cupertino-based company also secured substantial pay packages in 2025. Outgoing General Counsel Kate Adams, Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan, and Retail & People Chief Deirdre O'Brien each received approximately $27 million.
Former Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri's package was $15.5 million, while the new CFO, Kevan Parekh, received $22.5 million. Despite the modest year-on-year decline, Tim Cook's pay remains among the highest in corporate America.
This subtle shift underscores Apple's ongoing effort to align executive compensation more directly with specific performance metrics. The company continues to be a global titan, with its market capitalization soaring past the $3 trillion milestone in 2025.
