Apple CEO Tim Cook’s total compensation package for 2025 edged slightly lower than the year before, according to filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Cook is set to receive $74.3 million, down modestly from $74.6 million in 2024, while compensation for other senior executives also declined slightly, DKNews.kz reports.
How Tim Cook’s Pay Is Structured
As in previous years, the bulk of Cook’s compensation comes in the form of equity awards, aligning his pay closely with Apple’s long-term stock performance. The 2025 package includes:
- $57.5 million in Apple stock
- $3 million in base salary
- $1.7 million covering personal security and private air travel
Apple has long emphasized performance-based compensation, with equity making up the largest share of executive pay.
A Symbolic Pullback on Executive Pay
While the reduction is small, it reflects a broader trend among large US corporations toward moderation in executive compensation. Heightened scrutiny from investors, regulators, and the public has encouraged companies to show restraint, even as profits and market valuations remain strong.
Apple remains one of the world’s most valuable companies, and its executive pay structure continues to focus on creating long-term value for shareholders rather than short-term incentives.
Apple’s 2026 Shareholder Meeting Set for February
Apple’s annual shareholder meeting is scheduled for February 24, 2026. The agenda includes several key corporate governance items.
Shareholders will vote on:
- the re-election of Apple’s board of directors
- approval of executive compensation
- the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Apple’s independent auditing firm
In addition, shareholders will consider a number of proposals submitted by investors.
Apple Urges Vote Against a China Audit Proposal
One proposal drawing particular attention involves a call for an independent audit of Apple’s operations in China. Apple has recommended that shareholders vote against the proposal, a stance likely to be watched closely amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and scrutiny of global supply chains.
Why It Matters
Executive compensation is more than a headline figure - it reflects a company’s governance philosophy and its approach to accountability. The upcoming shareholder meeting could provide further insight into Apple’s priorities in 2026, from executive pay to how it manages geopolitical and regulatory risks.
