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SpaceX Exec Earns $85.8M: Top U.S. Executive Pay
21 Apr
Summary
- SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell earned $85.8 million in total compensation.
- Most of Shotwell's compensation came from stock options and awards.
- SpaceX has confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO, potentially worth $1.75 trillion.
SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell received a total compensation of $85.8 million in 2025. This substantial figure, primarily derived from stock options and awards, places her among the top-earning executives in the United States. Her base salary for the year was $1 million.
These compensation details emerged from a prospectus filing as SpaceX prepares for a potential initial public offering. The company, led by Elon Musk, has confidentially submitted its paperwork for a U.S. IPO, aiming for a valuation estimated at $1.75 trillion. This move could signify a record-breaking market debut.
In comparison, other prominent tech leaders also saw significant earnings. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella earned $79 million in 2024, and Apple's Tim Cook received $75 million in the same year. Meanwhile, SpaceX CFO Bret Johnson earned $9.8 million, and CEO Elon Musk took a modest salary of $54,080.
Shotwell, a key figure since joining SpaceX in 2002, has been instrumental in transforming Musk's ambitious visions into tangible successes. Her leadership has guided the manufacturing of rockets, satellite deployments, and the development of commercial and government contracts for endeavors like the Falcon 9 rocket and Starlink satellite broadband.
