The utility sector is defined by companies that provide basic necessities such as sewage, water, electricity, and natural gas. Companies in this sector can make a profit but are also heavily regulated due to the necessary nature of the services they provide. CEOs in this sector are well compensated, even if they are not as highly compensated as CEOs in the technology industry.

Below is a list of the top 10 highest-paid CEOs in the utility industry for the most recent complete fiscal year: 2019. The list is ordered by the highest total pay and not the highest 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 2019.

CompanyNameTitleSalaryIncentiveLong-TermAll OtherTotal
Southern CoThomas FanningChairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer$1,389,616$3,496,675$10,836,513$12,142,381$27,865,185
NextEra Energy IncJames RoboPresident and Chief Executive Officer$1,450,000$4,570,400$14,569,534$1,287,663$21,877,597
Sempra EnergyJeffrey MartinChief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board$1,200,000$3,027,100$7,727,202$7,852,044$19,806,346
Eversource EnergyJames JudgePresident and Chief Executive Officer and a Trustee of Eversource Energy$1,319,232$3,000,000$6,676,043$8,810,813$19,806,088
Dominion Energy IncThomas FarrellPresident and Chief Executive Officer of Company and Dominion Midstream GP, LLC$1,554,992$7,336,680$5,741,884$2,623,479$17,257,035
Duke Energy CorpLynn GoodChairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President$1,383,750$2,793,389$10,122,579$729,668$15,029,386
FirstEnergy CorpCharles JonesDirector, Chief Executive Officer and President$1,136,113$1,615,111$6,247,802$5,685,633$14,684,659
American Electric Power Co IncNicholas AkinsPresident and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Subsidiaries$1,475,654$3,600,000$8,775,003$641,779$14,492,436
Entergy CorpLeo DenaultChairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer$1,260,000$2,416,680$6,674,247$3,913,322$14,264,249
PPL CorpWilliam SpenceChairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer$1,184,580$2,867,395$5,663,150$4,427,442$14,142,567

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