Another Pay Rise: How Much Sathya Nadella Getting Now?

The CEO of Microsoft Sathya Nadella is one of the biggest business heads across the globe, and the kind of legacy that he had built for himself is beyond ordinary.

Coming to the topic now, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella received a major pay increase for fiscal year 2025, with his total compensation reaching approximately $96.5 million. This marks a 22% rise from his 2024 pay of around $79.1 million.

The largest portion of his compensation comes from stock awards, roughly $84 million, while cash bonuses account for about $9.5 million, and his base salary remains $2.5 million. Over 95% of his pay is performance-based, meaning it is tied directly to the company’s results.

The raise reflects Microsoft’s strong performance under Nadella’s leadership. Since becoming CEO in 2014, he has shifted the company’s focus toward cloud computing, AI, and enterprise services, which has driven revenue growth and profitability.

The stock-heavy compensation structure aligns Nadella’s interests with those of shareholders, rewarding him when the company performs well.

Although his total pay has increased significantly, his base salary has remained unchanged. Some critics argue that high executive pay, even when linked to performance, can draw attention if workforce reductions or other cost-cutting measures occur elsewhere in the company.

Nonetheless, Nadella’s compensation highlights the market value of leadership that successfully drives innovation and financial growth in a major global tech company.