Categories: WSJ

Though Outnumbered, Female CEOs Earn More Than Male Chiefs

Women in command of America’s biggest businesses are reaping rich rewards.

In an unusual reversal of the gender pay gap, female chief executives at some of the largest U.S. companies repeatedly outearn their male counterparts. Last year, 21 female CEOs received a median compensation package of $13.8 million, compared with the $11.6 million median for 382 male chiefs, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of S&P 500 leaders who held the job a full year.

Women in the corner offices of the biggest U.S. firms made more money than men in six of the last seven years, though the gap has narrowed since 2014. The trend reflects several factors including strong performances at major businesses run by women during recent years, plus the fact that several female CEOs are pursuing tough turnarounds, which boards typically reward.

Another key factor: few women rise to the top of the corporate ladder. Those doing so tend to be superstars who overcome many obstacles before they run an S&P 500 company, according to executive pay and leadership specialists. Boards in search of diversity and high performers are more willing to pay a premium for a successful female CEO, the experts said.

admin

Recent Posts

How ESG Metrics Are Taking Over Annual Incentive Plans

Compensation committees at S&P 500 companies are increasingly tying annual bonuses to measures beyond financial…

3 weeks ago

Visual Investigation: Pay Gaps Widen as Workforce Scrutiny Grows

The pay gap between CEOs and their employees has widened over the past half decade,…

1 month ago

In a Bumper Year for CEO Pay, One Chief’s $161 Million Award Swells to $1.3 Billion

Chip maker Broadcom gave Hock Tan, its chief executive, a $161 million stock award, instantly…

2 months ago

Are Companies Really Reincorporating in Nevada?

Elon's Musk's $56 billion pay package's upheaval, a hedge fund sanctioned for failing to preserve…

2 months ago

Are Check Marks ‘Cheap Talk’ in Board Skills Matrices?

Disclosures about directors' skills and expertise are increasingly coming under the microscope as investors ramp…

3 months ago

Boards Looking for ‘Soft Skills’ in New Crop of CEOs

On Jan. 1, several of the nation's biggest companies — including Morgan Stanley, Kraft Heinz,…

4 months ago