As the highest-ranking person in a company, Chief Executive Officers tend to be the highest-paid executives at any organization. Over the years, total compensation for CEOs has continued to trend up, especially in lucrative industries. Out of the top 10 highest-paid CEOs in the United States, 5 of them work in the technology sector.

Below is a list of the top 10 highest-paid CEOs for the most recent complete fiscal year: 2021. The list is ordered by the highest total pay and not the top executive salary. “Other” compensation is defined as total compensation minus salary and includes annual variable cash, long-term incentive awards, pension, and any other compensation awarded in 2021.

CompanyNameTitleSalaryIncentiveLong-TermAll Other
Taylor Devices IncTimothy SopkoDirector and Chief Executive Officer$250,000 ---$1,743,814,254$23,668
The Trade Desk IncJeffrey Green
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer$965,000 $3,703,912 $828,384,776 $1,905,679
Robinhood Markets IncVladimir TenevChief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board$244,125 ---$794,011,732$794,011,732
KKR & Co IncJoseph BaeDirector and Co-Chief Executive Officer$300,000 $24,700,000$476,261,500$58,374,648
Qualtrics International IncZig SerafinChief Executive Officer and Director$500,000 ---$540,000,000$13,050
KKR & Co IncScott NuttallDirector and Co-Chief Executive Officer$300,000 $24,700,000$442,161,500$55,980,932
Affirm Holdings IncMax LevchinChief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board$10,000 ---$451,052,591$145,135
Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp IIIVivek GaripalliChairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer------$389,569,439---
Expedia Group IncPeter KernVice Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer$849,999 ---$294,567,250$830,500
Coty IncSue NabiChief Executive Officer and Director$3,549,000 ---$280,200,000$42,455


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