CEOs at Lowest-Paying S&P 500 Firms Earn 614 Times Median Worker Pay

An Institute for Policy Studies analysis released August 27, 2026 finds CEOs at the 100 lowest-paying S&P 500 firms earned 614 times their median worker in 2025 — average CEO compensation of $17.5 million against median worker pay of $36,571. CEO pay at these firms rose 41.4% from 2019 to 2025, double worker pay growth, which itself trailed 25.9% inflation.