Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has increased CEO Sundar Pichai’s potential compensation to $692 million over the next three years. The majority of this amount, $126 million, comes from performance stock units (PSUs) split into two tranches. These PSUs are tied to Alphabet’s total shareholder return compared to the S&P 100 index and could reach $252 million if performance targets are surpassed.
Pichai will also receive $84 million in restricted stock vesting monthly for three years, in addition to an annual salary of $2 million. Google has introduced new stock incentives worth up to $350 million, linked to the growth of its autonomous ventures. Pichai is set to receive $130 million in Waymo stock and $45 million in Wing Aviation shares, both with the potential to pay out up to 200% of their target value.
Alphabet’s board expressed confidence in Pichai’s leadership of Waymo and Wing, highlighting the challenges these ventures are addressing under his guidance. Since taking on the CEO role in 2015, Pichai has overseen a significant rise in Google’s market capitalization, from $535 billion to $3.6 trillion, briefly touching $4 trillion in January.
Pichai, an Indian-born executive who joined Google in 2004, has played key roles in developing Chrome and leading Android before becoming CEO. Notably, he recently sold Class C shares worth around $9.8 million and holds 1.67 million Google shares valued at $498 million. In comparison, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella earned $96.5 million in fiscal 2025, while Apple’s Tim Cook received $74.3 million.
