CFO compensation can reach well into the eight figures at major public companies. From tech and healthcare to financial services, these finance leaders show just how lucrative the top end of the profession can be.
The Highest-Paid CFOs
Below are some of the highest-paid CFOs by their reported total compensation, from salary and bonuses to equity awards and other compensation.
Note: This ranking uses 2025 compensation because it is the most recent full-year compensation data available for the CFOs included at the time of our update.
Manmeet Soni
Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer at Summit Therapeutics
United States
- Salary: $616,500
- Bonus: $388,395
- Option Award Modification:…
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Tim McHugh
Co-President & Chief Financial Officer at Welltower
Dallas, United States
- Salary: $700,000
- Stock Awards: $163,753,640
- Non-Equity Incentive Plan…
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Anat Ashkenazi
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Alphabet and Google
United States
- Salary: $1,003,846
- …
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Amy Hood
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Microsoft
Seattle, United States
- Salary:…
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David Glazer
Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer at Palantir Technologies
Denver, United States
- …
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Kevan Parekh
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Apple
- …
Connect with Kevan:
Colette Kress
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at NVIDIA
Saratoga, United States
- …
Connect with Colette:
Spencer Neumann
Chief Financial Officer at Netflix
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
- Salary:…
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Susan Li
Chief Financial Officer at Meta
Palo Alto, United States
- Salary:…
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Gunnar Wiedenfels
Chief Financial Officer at Warner Bros. Discovery
Greenwich, United States
- Salary: $2,142,400
- Stock Awards: $8,188,512
- …
Connect with Gunnar:
What Drives CFO Compensation?
CFO pay at major public companies goes far beyond base salary. While the average U.S. CFO salary is about $439,000 in 2026, compensation packages for finance chiefs at large companies can be worth many millions once bonuses, stock awards, and other incentives are included.
Several factors can push total compensation substantially higher:
- Company size and complexity: CFOs overseeing large, global businesses typically command larger compensation packages because of the scale and complexity of their responsibilities.
- Equity and long-term incentives: Stock awards can represent a significant portion of an executive compensation package, tying the CFO's potential payout to longer-term company performance and shareholder value.
- Performance incentives: Annual bonuses and other incentive awards can increase compensation considerably when executives or their companies meet predetermined targets.
- Industry: Competition for experienced finance executives varies by sector, with industries such as technology, pharmaceuticals, and financial services capable of offering particularly large packages.
- Expanded responsibilities: Some CFOs also hold titles such as president, chief operating officer, or executive vice president, reflecting responsibilities that extend beyond the traditional finance function.
Therefore, total compensation is a more useful measure than salary alone when comparing the highest-paid CFOs. The figures in this list include salary, bonuses, equity awards, and other reported compensation where applicable.
Highest-Paid CFO FAQs
Do CFOs make more than CEOs?
Generally, no. CEOs typically receive the largest executive compensation package at a company, reflecting their overall responsibility for the organization. However, CFOs at major public companies can still earn compensation packages worth millions—or even tens of millions—of dollars per year.
Are CFO compensation figures publicly available?
For U.S. public companies, executive compensation is generally disclosed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Proxy statements typically provide compensation information for the company’s named executive officers, which often includes the CFO. Private companies generally aren’t subject to the same public disclosure requirements.
Do private-company CFOs make as much as public-company CFOs?
They can, particularly at large or fast-growing private companies, but direct comparisons are difficult. Private companies generally don’t have the same executive compensation disclosure requirements as public companies, so CFO pay is less readily available. Equity can also make up a meaningful part of a private-company CFO’s compensation, with its ultimate value depending on the company’s future performance and liquidity events.
How often does CFO compensation change?
CFO compensation can change considerably from one year to the next. Annual incentive payouts, new equity grants, promotions, changes in company performance, and one-time awards can all cause a CFO’s reported total compensation to rise or fall substantially.
For CFO Salaries, The Sky's The Limit
If you’re an aspiring finance professional, it’s wise to aim high and understand the pure earning potential of this position. To get there, don’t forget to improve your finance skills, follow industry leaders on LinkedIn and other platforms, read CFO books, and most importantly, subscribe to The CFO Club newsletter to hone your skills as a finance professional.
