Synopsis: Satya Nadella’s total compensation surged to $96.5 million in FY25, marking his highest earnings since becoming Microsoft CEO. The jump reflects the tech giant’s booming AI growth and Nadella’s role in steering Microsoft through a transformative decade.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has achieved his highest-ever annual compensation since taking charge of the tech giant in 2014, with his total pay for FY2024–25 reaching a massive $96.5 million, according to the company’s latest regulatory filing.
The sharp increase in Nadella’s pay underscores Microsoft’s dominance in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing — two sectors where the company has seen explosive growth under his leadership.
Around 90% of Nadella’s compensation comes in the form of Microsoft shares, while his base salary stands at $2.5 million. In comparison, Nadella earned $79.1 million in the previous financial year.
In a note to shareholders, Microsoft’s board credited Nadella and his executive team for “successfully positioning Microsoft as a global AI leader during a generational technology shift.”
Other top executives also saw significant pay hikes — CFO Amy Hood earned $29.5 million, and Judson Althoff, who heads the company’s commercial division, received $28.2 million.
Microsoft’s strong performance this year has contributed to these rewards. The company’s stock has risen about 23% in 2025, driven by the impressive growth of its Azure cloud business, which continues to challenge Amazon Web Services (AWS) for global market share.
Since becoming CEO, Nadella has led Microsoft’s transformation into a cloud-first, AI-driven powerhouse, reshaping the company’s future and image. His early bet on cloud computing made Azure one of the top players in the world, while key acquisitions like LinkedIn, GitHub, and Activision Blizzard strengthened Microsoft’s presence across professional networking, software, and gaming.
Perhaps Nadella’s boldest move was backing OpenAI early on. What began as a $1 billion investment evolved into a deep partnership, including an additional $10 billion as ChatGPT revolutionized the tech world.
Today, Microsoft’s AI innovations—powered by OpenAI technology—are embedded in products across Office, Azure, Windows, and Edge, redefining how people and businesses interact with technology.
Born and raised in Hyderabad, Nadella completed his engineering degree from Mangalore University in 1988, followed by a Master’s in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He joined Microsoft in 1992, quickly rising through the ranks before being named CEO in 2014, succeeding Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates.
Under his leadership, Microsoft’s market capitalization has soared past $3 trillion, making it one of the world’s most valuable companies—and firmly establishing Nadella as one of the most influential tech CEOs of the modern era.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. The figures and statements are based on Microsoft’s official regulatory filings and publicly available data. It does not constitute financial or investment advice.
