The average CEO base salary at a S&P 500 company is over $10 million. With stock options and other benefits, that income nearly doubles. By contrast, an ordinary worker employed full-time in America earns approximately $45,550 annually.
And while CEO pay in the United States has seemingly continued to rise regardless of both economic conditions and company performance, wages for typical workers have remained relatively flat.
According to an analysis by think tank Economic Policy Institute of stock options, cash salaries, and other benefits, CEO compensation at the nation’s 350 largest companies rose by 17.6% between 2016 and 2017, and by over 1,000% between 1978 and 2017. For the average worker, wages remained effectively flat, inching up 0.3%, between 2016 and 2017, and rising a meager 11.2% since 1978.
Most of the nation’s CEOs would fall comfortably into the top 0.1% or 0.01% of earners. For most Americans, the amount of money a CEO earns in a year is outside the realm of comprehension. And yet, many such ordinary individuals are employed at the very companies run by the nation’s ultra-rich executives.
To identify the nation’s most unequal-paying companies, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the ratio between annual CEO base pay and average worker salary at 168 large U.S. companies, using data from benefits and compensation information website Payscale. CEO names, cash and total compensation figures, as well as the median worker annual pay, came from Payscale. Data is as of 2016. We have indicated when a given CEO is no longer employed by the company.
Many of these companies are international conglomerates. We chose to focus on pay inequities across the U.S. workforce. If CEO compensation levels were compared to average wages worldwide, the CEO-to-average worker pay gaps would be considerably larger. No pay gap for a company on this list is greater than 500 to 1. Looking at CEO-to-world average wage ratios, pay gaps exceed 1,000 to 1 at 33 corporations in the Russell 3000.
Source: hcatodayblog.com
50. HCA Holdings
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 100 to 1
> CEO: R. Milton Johnson
> CEO pay, cash: $5,604,403
> CEO pay, total compensation: $13,970,215
> Median worker annual pay: $56,100
Source: violinconcertono3 / iStock
49. Citigroup
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 101 to 1
> CEO: Michael L. Corbat
> CEO pay, cash: $8,102,293
> CEO pay, total compensation: $14,595,462
> Median worker annual pay: $80,200
24/7 Wall St.
Source: The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
48. Pnc Financial Services Group
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 106 to 1
> CEO: William S. Demchak
> CEO pay, cash: $5,365,501
> CEO pay, total compensation: $12,325,411
> Median worker annual pay: $50,400
Source: dow.com
47. Dow Chemical
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 108 to 1
> CEO: Andrew N. Liveris
> CEO pay, cash: $8,266,471
> CEO pay, total compensation: $21,428,875
> Median worker annual pay: $76,600
Source: IPG
46. Interpublic Group Of Companies
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 112 to 1
> CEO: Michael I. Roth
> CEO pay, cash: $7,353,809
> CEO pay, total compensation: $14,458,102
> Median worker annual pay: $65,500
Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
45. Coca Cola
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 114 to 1
> CEO: Muhtar Kent
> CEO pay, cash: $6,855,126
> CEO pay, total compensation: $14,590,571
> Median worker annual pay: $59,900
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Source: Universal Health Services, Inc.
44. Universal Health Services
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 117 to 1
> CEO: Alan B. Miller
> CEO pay, cash: $6,373,857
> CEO pay, total compensation: $20,427,309
> Median worker annual pay: $54,600
Source: jcgamache / iStock
43. Prudential Financial
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 122 to 1
> CEO: John R. Strangfeld
> CEO pay, cash: $10,239,654
> CEO pay, total compensation: $16,668,942
> Median worker annual pay: $84,200
Source: Cybernesco / iStock
42. Caesars Entertainment
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 124 to 1
> CEO: Mark Frissora
> CEO pay, cash: $5,498,830
> CEO pay, total compensation: $12,812,830
> Median worker annual pay: $44,300
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Source: storkalex / iStock
41. Deere & Co
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 124 to 1
> CEO: Samuel R. Allen
> CEO pay, cash: $7,497,246
> CEO pay, total compensation: $15,770,056
> Median worker annual pay: $60,700
Source: jetcityimage / iStock
40. Lowe’s
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 127 to 1
> CEO: Robert A. Niblock (resigned 03/2018)
> CEO pay, cash: $4,210,444
> CEO pay, total compensation: $13,155,164
> Median worker annual pay: $33,100
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Source: newsroom.charter.com
39. Charter Communications
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 129 to 1
> CEO: Thomas M. Rutledge
> CEO pay, cash: $6,362,036
> CEO pay, total compensation: $16,361,387
> Median worker annual pay: $49,300
Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images
38. Wells Fargo & Company
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 130 to 1
> CEO: John G. Stumpf (resigned 10/2016)
> CEO pay, cash: $6,818,550
> CEO pay, total compensation: $19,318,604
> Median worker annual pay: $52,600
Source: Aramark
37. Aramark
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 131 to 1
> CEO: Eric J. Foss
> CEO pay, cash: $5,546,823
> CEO pay, total compensation: $21,136,908
> Median worker annual pay: $42,300
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Source: jetcityimage / iStock
36. AT&T
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 131 to 1
> CEO: Randall L. Stephenson
> CEO pay, cash: $7,794,762
> CEO pay, total compensation: $22,417,776
> Median worker annual pay: $59,400
Source: code6d / Getty Images
35. Nike
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 131 to 1
> CEO: Mark G. Parker
> CEO pay, cash: $10,527,902
> CEO pay, total compensation: $16,819,730
> Median worker annual pay: $80,100
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Source: Stephen Chernin / Getty Images
34. Morgan Stanley
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 134 to 1
> CEO: James P. Gorman
> CEO pay, cash: $10,716,160
> CEO pay, total compensation: $21,966,480
> Median worker annual pay: $80,100
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images
33. Halliburton
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 134 to 1
> CEO: David J. Lesar
> CEO pay, cash: $9,601,126
> CEO pay, total compensation: $15,572,202
> Median worker annual pay: $71,500
Source: Centene
32. Centene
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 140 to 1
> CEO: Michael F. Neidorff
> CEO pay, cash: $8,423,903
> CEO pay, total compensation: $20,755,103
> Median worker annual pay: $60,100
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Source: Wirepec / iStock
31. MGM Resorts International
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 142 to 1
> CEO: James J. Murren
> CEO pay, cash: $7,021,948
> CEO pay, total compensation: $13,271,940
> Median worker annual pay: $49,600
Source: marathonpetroleum.com
30. Marathon Petroleum
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 145 to 1
> CEO: Gary R. Heminger
> CEO pay, cash: $6,475,770
> CEO pay, total compensation: $17,351,260
> Median worker annual pay: $44,800
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Source: tupungato / iStock
29. Wyndham Worldwide
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 146 to 1
> CEO: Stephen P. Holmes
> CEO pay, cash: $7,472,307
> CEO pay, total compensation: $14,972,307
> Median worker annual pay: $51,100
24/7 Wall St.
Source: VanderWolf-Images / iStock
28. Lockheed Martin
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 147 to 1
> CEO: Marillyn A. Hewson
> CEO pay, cash: $11,200,254
> CEO pay, total compensation: $20,163,169
> Median worker annual pay: $76,200
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images
27. Mylan N.V.
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 151 to 1
> CEO: Heather Bresch
> CEO pay, cash: $11,662,799
> CEO pay, total compensation: $18,162,852
> Median worker annual pay: $77,100
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Source: Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images
26. Discovery Communications
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 156 to 1
> CEO: David M. Zaslav
> CEO pay, cash: $10,614,934
> CEO pay, total compensation: $32,377,346
> Median worker annual pay: $68,100
Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images
25. Omnicom Group
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 160 to 1
> CEO: John D. Wren
> CEO pay, cash: $13,496,047
> CEO pay, total compensation: $23,576,047
> Median worker annual pay: $84,300
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Source: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock.com
24. T-Mobile
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 178 to 1
> CEO: John J. Legere
> CEO pay, cash: $10,782,502
> CEO pay, total compensation: $24,457,987
> Median worker annual pay: $60,700
Source: Courtesy of Ameriprise Financial
23. Ameriprise Financial
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 198 to 1
> CEO: James M. Cracchiolo
> CEO pay, cash: $9,901,300
> CEO pay, total compensation: $19,372,300
> Median worker annual pay: $50,100
Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images
22. Time Warner
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 200 to 1
> CEO: Jeffrey L. Bewkes (resigned 06/2018)
> CEO pay, cash: $15,610,633
> CEO pay, total compensation: $31,493,211
> Median worker annual pay: $78,200
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Source: ge.com
21. General Electric
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 202 to 1
> CEO: Jeffrey R. Immelt (resigned 12/2017)
> CEO pay, cash: $17,434,376
> CEO pay, total compensation: $26,637,142
> Median worker annual pay: $86,400
Source: Amtrust Financial Services
20. Amtrust Financial Services
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 203 to 1
> CEO: Barry Zyskind
> CEO pay, cash: $10,942,190
> CEO pay, total compensation: $13,942,205
> Median worker annual pay: $53,800
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Source: aboutsung / Shutterstock.com
19. Starbucks
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 204 to 1
> CEO: Howard Schultz (resigned 04/2017)
> CEO pay, cash: $5,722,076
> CEO pay, total compensation: $20,091,353
> Median worker annual pay: $28,000
Source: Ildar Sagdejev / Wikimedia Commons
18. Time Warner Cable
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 207 to 1
> CEO: Robert D. Marcus (resigned 05/2016)
> CEO pay, cash: $10,699,868
> CEO pay, total compensation: $18,034,506
> Median worker annual pay: $51,700
Source: Wikimedia Commons
17. Lennar
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 208 to 1
> CEO: Stuart A. Miller (resigned 04/2018)
> CEO pay, cash: $12,813,693
> CEO pay, total compensation: $17,909,693
> Median worker annual pay: $61,700
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Source: YvanDube / Getty Images
16. Wal Mart Stores
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 209 to 1
> CEO: C. Douglas McMillon
> CEO pay, cash: $5,133,256
> CEO pay, total compensation: $19,404,042
> Median worker annual pay: $24,600
Source: Liberty Media Corporation
15. Liberty Media & Liberty Interactive
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 214 to 1
> CEO: Gregory B. Maffei
> CEO pay, cash: $10,947,607
> CEO pay, total compensation: $26,868,931
> Median worker annual pay: $51,100
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Source: Americasroof / Wikimedia Commons
14. Cablevision Systems
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 220 to 1
> CEO: James L. Dolan (resigned 06/2016)
> CEO pay, cash: $13,649,028
> CEO pay, total compensation: $24,539,725
> Median worker annual pay: $62,000
Source: Chris Hondros / Getty Images
13. Viacom
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 230 to 1
> CEO: Philippe P. Dauman (resigned 08/2016)
> CEO pay, cash: $18,263,525
> CEO pay, total compensation: $54,140,509
> Median worker annual pay: $79,400
Source: Coolcaesar / Wikimedia Commons
12. Allergan
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 232 to 1
> CEO: Brenton L. Saunders
> CEO pay, cash: $21,565,325
> CEO pay, total compensation: $21,565,325
> Median worker annual pay: $92,900
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Source: Ed-Ni-Photo / iStock
11. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 234 to 1
> CEO: Richard J. Kramer
> CEO pay, cash: $12,779,784
> CEO pay, total compensation: $17,772,128
> Median worker annual pay: $54,700
Source: CaptureLight / iStock
10. Wynn Resorts
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 238 to 1
> CEO: Stephen A. Wynn (resigned 02/2018)
> CEO pay, cash: $11,930,391
> CEO pay, total compensation: $20,680,391
> Median worker annual pay: $50,100
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Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
9. Pepsico
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 259 to 1
> CEO: Indra K. Nooyi (resigned 10/2018)
> CEO pay, cash: $15,937,828
> CEO pay, total compensation: $22,189,307
> Median worker annual pay: $61,500
24/7 Wall St.
Source: honeywell.com
8. Honeywell International
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 279 to 1
> CEO: David M. Cote (resigned 03/2016)
> CEO pay, cash: $22,767,851
> CEO pay, total compensation: $33,105,851
> Median worker annual pay: $81,600
Source: Union20 / Wikimedia Commons
7. L Brands
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 285 to 1
> CEO: Leslie H. Wexner
> CEO pay, cash: $9,665,925
> CEO pay, total compensation: $26,669,306
> Median worker annual pay: $33,900
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Source: SweetBabeeJay / iStock
6. Comcast
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 301 to 1
> CEO: Brian L. Roberts
> CEO pay, cash: $16,819,942
> CEO pay, total compensation: $27,520,744
> Median worker annual pay: $55,800
Source: Eva Rinaldi / Wikimedia Commons
5. Twenty-First Century Fox
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 311 to 1
> CEO: K. Rupert Murdoch (resigned 06/2015)
> CEO pay, cash: $17,047,636
> CEO pay, total compensation: $22,192,923
> Median worker annual pay: $54,800
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Source: Roman Tiraspolsky / Shutterstock.com
4. TJX Companies
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 327 to 1
> CEO: Carol Meyrowitz
> CEO pay, cash: $7,330,584
> CEO pay, total compensation: $17,962,232
> Median worker annual pay: $22,400
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Josh Hallett / Wikimedia Commons
3. Walt Disney
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 367 to 1
> CEO: Robert A. Iger
> CEO pay, cash: $26,208,003
> CEO pay, total compensation: $43,490,567
> Median worker annual pay: $71,400
Source: Coast-to-Coast / iStock
2. CBS
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 395 to 1
> CEO: Leslie Moonves (resigned 09/2018)
> CEO pay, cash: $23,652,883
> CEO pay, total compensation: $56,352,801
> Median worker annual pay: $59,900
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Source: Ron Cogswell / Flickr
1. CVS Health
> CEO to typical worker wage ratio (cash): 434 to 1
> CEO: Larry J. Merlo
> CEO pay, cash: $12,105,481
> CEO pay, total compensation: $22,855,374
> Median worker annual pay: $27,900
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