Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Sees 22% Pay Rise Amid AI-Driven Stock Surge
Microsoft Corp. CEO Satya Nadella's total compensation surged to $96.5 million in fiscal 2025, a 22% increase fueled by stock awards tied to the company's AI-powered rally. The tech giant's shares have climbed 23% this year, nearly doubling over three years as Azure cloud services drive record revenue growth.
Nadella's pay package reflects Microsoft's market outperformance, with $84 million coming from equity awards. The compensation committee adjusted his cash bonus downward following 2024 cyberattacks, even as AI infrastructure demand propelled Q4 revenue growth to an 18% three-year high.
Behind the financial triumph lies organizational strain. Recent layoffs affecting 15,000 employees weigh on leadership, contrasting with executive pay gains. Microsoft's board continues aligning compensation with shareholder returns, betting Nadella's strategic pivot to AI will sustain its cloud dominance.
