Inside Apple CEO Tim Cook’s US$74m Compensation Package

Tim Cook had a strong year in 2025 as Apple’s CEO, helping the firm become the third ever company to reach US$4tn market value and was expected to reach over 247 million yearly phone sales, according to market research firm IDC.

In the top seat, Tim’s salary in 2025 was US$3m, but his total compensation knocked this number out of the park.

At US$74m, the CEO’s pay package remained steady from 2024, in which year he received US$74.6m in total, including US$57.5m on stock award and a US$12m bonus based on Apple’s performance.

This is enough for him to buy 92,984 of the latest iPhone 17 and 186,202 of the latest Apple Watch Series 11.

The firm’s 2025 started off slower due to stock dips based around AI concerns but rebounded with record revenues, exceeding US$400bn for the fiscal year, even as leadership changes signal future transformation. This was a 6% increase compared to 2024.

This was mainly driven by robust iPhone 17 sales, following the phone's release in September, strong Services growth and high active device numbers.

Other Apple execs saw pay packages of around US$27m, including newly appointed Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan and departing General Counsel Kate Adams.

What happens to Apple after Tim Cook?

There remains speculation over the succession plan after Tim decides to step down from the top spot.

In November, sources told the Financial Times that Apple is preparing for him to step down after 14 years leading the business, but months on there is still no firm update from the tech giant.

Fifty-year-old John Ternus, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, remains seen as the most likely successor, but the sources reportedly said that no final decisions have been made.

Those close to Apple told the Financial Times that the company is unlikely to name a new CEO before its next earnings report in late January.

Leadership changes beyond succession planning

There have been a surge of recently-accounced transitions across AI, design, legal and financial divisions, set to come into play in 2026.

In December, it was announced that Lisa Jackson, Vice President for Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, who Apple says will retire in late January.

Discussing her departure, Tim Cook said in a statement: “I am deeply appreciative of Lisa’s contributions. She has been instrumental in helping us reduce our global greenhouse emissions by more than 60% compared to 2015 levels.”

Alongside this, Meta also announced that the company’s top lawyer Jennifer Newstead will become Apple’s General Counsel on 1 March 2026, following the decision that duties will be transitioned from Kate Adams, who has been in the role for almost a decade.

Also announced at the start of December, Apple is seeing a major reshuffle in its AI team as John Giannandrea, Senior Vice President for Machine Learning and AI strategy is stepping down from his position in Spring 2026.

Apple has confirmed that Amar Subramanya will join as its new Vice President of AI, reporting to Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering.

Tim said: “AI has long been central to Apple’s strategy, and we are pleased to welcome Amar to Craig’s leadership team and to bring his extraordinary expertise to Apple.”

As the tech firm prepares for these changes, Tim will continue his leadership into 2026, integrating his new leadership into his growth strategy.