Who is the highest paid CEO in pharma?
Asked by: Era Tremblay Jr. | Last update: May 8, 2026Score: 5/5 (53 votes)
The highest-paid pharma CEO in recent reports (2024 data) is Uğur Şahin of BioNTech, who earned around $287 million, primarily from exercising stock options, far surpassing others like David Ricks (Eli Lilly) and Albert Bourla (Pfizer). While Şahin led for 2024, other executives like Stéphane Bancel (Moderna) also topped lists for prior years (2023) with massive payouts, showcasing significant compensation swings based on stock performance and option exercises.
Who is the highest paid CEO of pharma?
BioNTech's Uğur Şahin took the No. 1 spot on Fierce Pharma's list of the highest-paid pharma CEOs in 2024, raking in an industry-leading $287 million — mostly from exercising stock options granted in 2019. He far outpaced No. 2 David Ricks of Eli Lilly ($29.2M) and No.
How much does CEO of Eli Lilly make?
Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks' total compensation for 2024 was approximately $29.2 million, a 10% increase from 2023, driven largely by soaring demand for weight-loss drugs like Zepbound and Mounjaro, which significantly boosted the company's revenue. His pay package included a base salary, substantial stock awards, a cash bonus, and other benefits, with the bulk coming from equity.
What is the salary of Pfizer CEO?
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla's total compensation for 2024 was approximately $24.6 million, a significant rebound from 2023, reflecting strong performance driven by non-COVID products and strategic acquisitions, with his pay package comprising salary, stock awards, and incentives, though much lower than his peak $33 million in 2022 during the height of COVID product sales.
How much does the CEO of Purdue pharma make a year?
Landau, who has been CEO since June 2017, could receive between about $1.6 million and $2.2 million for his annual award. He earned a base salary of about $2.6 million, according to court filings last year by Purdue.
Top 10 Pharma Highest paid CEOs | 2024 Highest paid Pharma company CEOs
Who owns OxyContin now?
OxyContin was owned and manufactured by Purdue Pharma, a company controlled by the Sackler family, who developed and aggressively marketed the opioid drug, leading to widespread addiction and numerous lawsuits, culminating in Purdue's bankruptcy and a massive settlement agreement with the Sacklers in 2025.
What is the annual salary of the CEO of St. Jude's?
The CEO of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, James R. Downing, had total compensation around $2.4 million in 2024 (from 2023 data), while former CEO Richard Shadyac received over $1.4 million as an Ex-Officio Director, according to recent filings, with Downing's salary fluctuating but generally over $1 million annually, reflecting executive pay for leading large non-profits.
Who is the most paid CEO in the world?
Elon Musk is widely considered the highest-paid CEO globally, primarily through massive stock option packages from Tesla, though specific annual figures vary greatly, with reports highlighting figures over $1 billion for certain years, while other top earners include Alexander Karp (Palantir) and Hock Tan (Broadcom) for large equity-driven compensation, alongside tech leaders like Satya Nadella (Microsoft) and Tim Cook (Apple).
How much does the CEO of Novo Nordisk make?
One of the busiest men in the industry, Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, received 68.2 million Danish kroner (DKK) – or $9.9 million – in 2023.
How much does a VP at Pfizer make?
How much does a Vice President make at Pfizer in California? The estimated average pay for Vice President at this company in California is $155,722 per year, which meets the national average.
What CEO raised salary to $70,000?
The CEO known for paying employees $70k is Dan Price, former CEO of Gravity Payments, who famously cut his own $1.1 million salary in 2015 to establish a $70,000 minimum wage for his staff, a move that significantly boosted revenue, retention, and employee well-being, though he later resigned amid legal issues.
What's the salary of Walmart CEO?
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon's total compensation for the 2024 fiscal year was around $27 million, primarily from stock awards, with a base salary of about $1.5 million, a large incentive bonus, and other compensation, making him one of the highest-paid retail executives. His pay package significantly contrasts with the median Walmart associate's earnings, highlighting the large CEO-to-worker pay gap.
How much does the CEO of Wounded Warrior make a year?
Wounded Warrior Project CEO Michael S. Linnington's salary has been reported in the low to mid-$500,000s in recent years, with figures like $511,107 in 2024 and $501,673 in 2023, part of a larger compensation package, according to Paddock Post reports based on tax filings, with cumulative earnings reaching around $3 million from 2018-2024. This compensation is for the main Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), distinct from similar-named groups like Wounded Warriors Family Support.
Who is the richest person in pharma?
This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 17 January 2026. Dilip Shanghvi (born 1 October 1955) is an Indian billionaire businessman. Shanghvi is the founder of Sun Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company. The Government of India awarded him the civilian honor of the Padma Shri in 2016.
Which CEO has a $1 salary?
A $1 salary CEO takes a nominal base pay, often symbolizing commitment, especially during crises (like Lee Iacocca at Chrysler), but typically earns millions through stock options, bonuses, and performance-based incentives, making it a symbolic move rather than true altruism, exemplified by tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Larry Ellison. It aligns interests, boosts morale, and offers tax/legal clarity but can also be a PR tactic, say critics.
How much does CVS CEO make?
CVS Health's CEO, J. David Joyner, earned approximately $17.8 million to $18.2 million in total compensation for fiscal year 2024, with a base salary around $1.1 million, primarily from stock and option awards, while former CEO Karen Lynch earned over $23.4 million in 2024, reflecting her transition period. Lynch previously earned about $21.6 million in 2023, with a $1.5 million base salary, showing significant fluctuations based on performance and stock.
How much does a VP of pharma make?
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $278,000 and as low as $43,500, the majority of Vice President Pharma salaries currently range between $115,000 (25th percentile) to $190,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $244,500 annually across the United States.
What is the salary of the CEO of AstraZeneca?
But the British drugmaker did not compensate its CEO accordingly, as Pascal Soriot's pay package dipped 16% from 17.4 million pounds sterling ($21.9 million) in 2023 to 14.7 million pounds ($18.5 million), according to the company's annual report.
Who is the richest female CEO?
FIVE FEMALE CEOS WITH THE HIGHEST SALARY IN THE WORLD
- Lisa Su, Advanced Micro Devices. Lisa Su is the highest-paid female CEO in the world. ...
- Mary Teresa Barra, General Motors. ...
- Phebe Novakovic, General Dynamics. ...
- Ana Botin, Banco Santander. ...
- Emma Walmsley, GlaxoSmithKline.
What is the salary of Elon Musk per year?
Salary Elon Musk
Elon Musk (Entrepeneur - Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink - United States) earns a salary of ₹1,32,81,65,27,97,799.00 per year.
Who is the highest paid pharmaceutical CEO?
Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks has overtaken Johnson & Johnson's Joaquin Duato as the highest paid chief executive in pharma, taking home $29.2 million in 2024.
How much does a CEO of the Salvation Army make?
The Salvation Army doesn't have a single "CEO," but rather appointed officers, with top leaders' salaries varying; past reports showed figures around $120k-$140k for predecessors, while general Salvation Army officer roles average lower, around $82k nationally, with benefits like housing and meals included. Salary aggregators show ranges, but the specifics for the top international leaders (General or National Commander) aren't readily available in recent public reports, though they receive housing, food, and other benefits.
What is Marlo Thomas' salary?
While exact current figures aren't public, Marlo Thomas earns significant income from her acting/producing career and serves as spokesperson for St. Jude, with estimates suggesting millions annually, though she isn't listed among St. Jude's highest-paid executives, indicating her income primarily stems from entertainment rather than the charity itself, with a reported net worth around $150 million.
How much does the CEO of Save the Children make?
The CEO of Save the Children, Janti Soeripto, has a salary in the range of $580,000 to over $600,000 annually, depending on the specific reporting year, with figures like $581,827 (2021), $618,629 (2022), and $629,195 (2023) reported by charity watchdog groups, reflecting compensation for leading the large international nonprofit.