Starbucks CEO makes nearly $100 million in 4 months, beats Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai

While Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai each earned approximately $75 million in 2024, Starbucks' new CEO, Brian Niccol, surpassed both with a staggering compensation package nearing $100 million for just four months of work. This pay positioned Niccol among the highest-paid executives in the United States.

According to a Bloomberg report, Niccol received $96 million in compensation after joining Starbucks in September 2024. The report revealed that 94% of his earnings stemmed from stock awards, primarily tied to performance metrics and vesting over a three-year period. In addition, Niccol was granted a $5 million sign-on bonus just one month after stepping into his role.

A company filing dated January 24, 2025 provided further details of Niccol’s remuneration. It showed that his package included over $143,000 in housing expenses, nearly half of which went towards tax payments. Another $72,000 was allocated for travel between his Southern California residence and Starbucks’ Seattle headquarters. Furthermore, the filing disclosed $19,000 in personal expenses for the use of company aircraft.

The Bloomberg Pay Index ranked Niccol among the top 20 highest-paid CEOs in the US, with his total annual compensation estimated at $113 million. This figure includes stock awards that replaced those he forfeited upon leaving his previous role as CEO of Chipotle.