Apple CEO Tim Cook Earned $98.7M in Stock and Salary in 2021

[Amazing Iceman]

For a guy who comes from a very ordinary family and who has not founded and built up his own company, this fortune is quite extraordinary.
Unlike Trump, who was born with a golden spoon in his mouth.
As far as anyone knows, TC lives quite modestly for a man with this wealth and it is also commendable that he wants to donate this fortune after his death.

I would be happy with just 0.1% of it. Enough to get me a new MacBook Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPad Pro 12", all fully loaded. And payoff the house and the car. And a couple Apple TV 4K and HomePods. That's all.
In worse case, the MacBook Pro would be enough.

 

[gaximus]

And at the same rate someone making 1/1000th what he does. and with an even smaller fraction of assets. no loopholes and no insane deductions.

I agree, makes no since for him to pay a higher tax rate just because he makes more.

 

[Kabeyun]

Doesn't even crack the top 10. The most valuable company in the world by market cap is getting a bargain.

 

[pepsijunky]

Must Be Nice!

 

[StupidOpinion]

you guys are hilarious. billionaires should not be allowed to exist. just because guys like elon musk make much more money than tim cook does not mean that tim cook doesn't make an insane amount of money. it's like saying that it's okay to kill someone as long as you don't kill 100 people. you guys are being fooled to by statistics if you're using elon musk as an argument for why tim cook doesn't make that much.

 

[I7guy]

you guys are hilarious. billionaires should not be allowed to exist. just because guys like elon musk make much more money than tim cook does not mean that tim cook doesn't make an insane amount of money. it's like saying that it's okay to kill someone as long as you don't kill 100 people. you guys are being fooled to by statistics if you're using elon musk as an argument for why tim cook doesn't make that much.

What a hyperbolic response. So in your opinion how much money should one be allowed to have? How much money should one be allowed to earn? What is your ceiling on this?

 

[George Dawes]

Steve had great taste , he proved that with his choice of successor

 

[AFDoc]

For those of you saying he earned that money.... how? Did he work that much harder than any other Apple employee? Maybe 10 million would be a good payment then split the other 88 million amongst other apple employees? It's pretty sickening that people see this as an ok practice.

 

[I7guy]

For those of you saying he earned that money.... how? Did he work that much harder than any other Apple employee? Maybe 10 million would be a good payment then split the other 88 million amongst other apple employees? It's pretty sickening that people see this as an ok practice.

It's not the matter of "how hard one works", it's the level of responsibility he is being compensated for. But I agree, if this practice is sickening than what some sports figures and entertainers get paid and are worth could also be considered sickening.

 

[dysamoria]

Anyone want to do the math on how much more Zuk gets compared to Meta...musil? employees ? or how much the pharma CEO's get paid compared to their employees?

I think there are some articles out there already for some of those people. I’m absolutely aligned with pointing out their insane income inequities, too. I just felt that I’d bring up that issue here in a thread of Apple fanatics praising Tim Cook.

I am not looking to single out Apple.

 

[I7guy]

I think there are some articles out there already for some of those people. I’m absolutely aligned with pointing out their insane income inequities, too. I just felt that I’d bring up that issue here in a thread of Apple fanatics praising Tim Cook.

I am not looking to single out Apple.

Nice that we now have separated this post into apple fanatics and apple critics. Nothing like being able to have a conversation without labels. However, Tim Cook earned what the board believed his worth to Apple to be.

 

[dysamoria]

It's not the matter of "how hard one works", it's the level of responsibility he is being compensated for. But I agree, if this practice is sickening than what some sports figures and entertainers get paid and are worth could also be considered sickening.

Yes, those inequities of pay are also sickening.

As for level of responsibility, I would argue that executives don’t face anything near the same level of potential consequences for their so-called level of responsibility.

If an upper management exec or CEO screws up, they usually blow it off as “market forces”, pass the blame to an underling, or, at worst, get asked to step down by the board, often getting a golden parachute to further cushion their soaring off on a lateral career change to a similar-income job.

Or they can retire, zero harm done to their ability to pay bills, own multiple homes & luxury cars, care for family, etc. They literally face zero risk and therefore zero consequences for their so-called “great responsibility”. There’s nothing at stake.

Look what happened to actual executives Apple (and other companies) pushed out over PR embarrassments. They’re still better off than the rest of us.

An Apple Store employee, a UI designer, copywriter, IT department/helpdesk, etc. employee... they have a lot more to lose (sometimes everything) if someone decides they’ve messed up and fire them for it (or just decide their position is no longer “necessary”, and eliminate their job to further the profit margins at the top).

Non-executive workers face serious consequences. Their whole lives are at stake. They’re far more likely to be at risk of being unable to pay utilities bills, mortgages, taxes, insurance, healthcare, vehicle maintenance, childcare, groceries, etc.

With great responsibility should also come great potential consequences for actions, but consequences seem to be one of the things the executive class are immune to via their vast wealth.

 

[dysamoria]

Nice that we now have separated this post into apple fanatics and apple critics. Nothing like being able to have a conversation without labels. However, Tim Cook earned what the board believed his worth to Apple to be.

“Fanatics” is the long form of “fan”. Do you disagree that this and other Apple news websites are populated heavily by Apple fans?

I’m not criticizing Apple any more than I’m criticizing every other corporation with the same policies and culture.

 

[I7guy]

Yes, those inequities of pay are also sickening.

Ok.

As for level of responsibility, I would argue that executives don’t face anything near the same level of potential consequences for their so-called level of responsibility.

If an upper management exec or CEO screws up, they usually blow it off as “market forces”, pass the blame to an underling, or, at worst, get asked to step down by the board, often getting a golden parachute to further cushion their soaring off on a lateral career change to a similar-income job.

Or end up in jail for malfeasance or other crimes. So with the responsibility comes downsides to the job as well.

Or they can retire, zero harm done to their ability to pay bills, own multiple homes & luxury cars, care for family, etc. They literally face zero risk and therefore zero consequences for their so-called “great responsibility”. There’s nothing at stake.

Point above. So are you suggesting that "lower level" employees that screw up should be given a second chance?

Look what happened to actual executives Apple (and other companies) pushed out over PR embarrassments. They’re still better off than the rest of us.

Their level of responsibilities was also higher and that's what they are getting compensated for even if some don't like it.

An Apple Store employee, a UI designer, copywriter, IT department/helpdesk, etc. employee... they have a lot more to lose (sometimes everything) if someone decides they’ve messed up and fire them for it (or just decide their position is no longer “necessary”, and eliminate their job to further the profit margins at the top).

Unless these others defraud the company, they most likely won't end up in jail. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/top-10...d20and20sentenced20to20lengthy20prison20terms

Non-executive workers face serious consequences. Their whole lives are at stake. They’re far more likely to be at risk of being unable to pay utilities bills, mortgages, taxes, insurance, healthcare, vehicle maintenance, childcare, groceries, etc.

What is your point? Someone who is flipping hamburgers at a burger joint deserves what salary?

With great responsibility should also come great potential consequences for actions, but consequences seem to be one of the things the executive class are immune to via their vast wealth.

See above.

 

[I7guy]

“Fanatics” is the long form of “fan”. Do you disagree that this and other Apple news websites are populated heavily by Apple fans?

I’m not criticizing Apple any more than I’m criticizing every other corporation with the same policies and culture.

Seems like this is parsing words.

 

[subi257]

I think there are some articles out there already for some of those people. I’m absolutely aligned with pointing out their insane income inequities, too. I just felt that I’d bring up that issue here in a thread of Apple fanatics praising Tim Cook.

I am not looking to single out Apple.

Apple and Tim Cook are very far below the rest of the companies of income differences. Also, if you are going to look simply at the wealth of one individual, look at the Forbes Billionaires 2021......Tim Cook #2263 out of 2674 and Jamie Dimon from J.P. Morgan Chase at #1750 out of 2674. About 1/2 of that list are people in Russia and China. #17 on the list is....Jack Ma..China

The reality is, they, nor anybody else cannot be told how much money they are are allowed to earn...or how wealthy they are allowed to be, we are still a capitalist country, meaning as opposed to dictatorship or Autocracy or Oligarchy. even in China and Russia, one is allowed to be as wealthy as they can be within the rules of the government.

Forbes 2025 Billionaires List - The Richest People In The World Ranked

Forbes presents the 2025 World's Billionaires List. View the richest people in the world and learn their net worth, age, country of residence, source of wealth and more.

www.forbes.com

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple and Tim Cook are very far below the rest of the companies of income differences. Also, if you are going to look simply at the wealth of one individual, look at the Forbes Billionaires 2021......Tim Cook #2263 out of 2674 and Jamie Dimon from J.P. Morgan Chase at #1750 out of 2674. About 1/2 of that list are people in Russia and China. #17 on the list is....Jack Ma..China

The reality is, they, nor anybody else cannot be told how much money they are are allowed to earn...or how wealthy they are allowed to be, we are still a capitalist country, meaning as opposed to dictatorship or Autocracy or Oligarchy. even in China and Russia, one is allowed to be as wealthy as they can be within the rules of the government.

Forbes 2025 Billionaires List - The Richest People In The World Ranked

Forbes presents the 2025 World's Billionaires List. View the richest people in the world and learn their net worth, age, country of residence, source of wealth and more.

www.forbes.com

Very good point. Where is Tim Cook? 😞

 

[Jetscreamer]

And well deserved, Tim earned every dollar. Apple didn’t hit that 3 trillion mark by accident.

 

[subi257]

“Fanatics” is the long form of “fan”. Do you disagree that this and other Apple news websites are populated heavily by Apple fans?

I’m not criticizing Apple any more than I’m criticizing every other corporation with the same policies and culture.

If they were not fans of Apple they would not be here.....you are here. As is the case of any "fan" site be it a specific car, sports team, etc. If you go to any fan site and shoot down that site, person, team...you will be flamed!

 

[subi257]

Very good point. Where is Tim Cook? 😞

View attachment 1940445

Number 2263!...3rd page from the last,

 

[StupidOpinion]

enough with the red herring fallacies. comparing tim cook to higher paid CEOs from other companies does not prove your point that tim cook isn't being paid too much. it is known as the "fallacy of relative privation". bringing up elon musk's income pretty much invalidates whatever point you guys are making.

 

[tyranne201]

And well deserved, Tim earned every dollar. Apple didn’t hit that 3 trillion mark by accident.

a single person earning 100 millions of dollars, while half the world receives $1/day, will never be deserved. What do you consider deserved? Many poor people work their * off 40/50/60 hours /week. Apple's success is mostly Steve Jobs' legacy.

 

[subi257]

a single person earning 100 millions of dollars, while half the world receives $1/day, will never be deserved. What do you consider deserved? Many poor people work their * off 40/50/60 hours /week. Apple's success is mostly Steve Jobs' legacy.

A lot of generalization here..."1/2 the world receives $1/day" So, in Philippines a person with a bachelor's or maybe masters's might earn $12/day...US dollars where the current market rate is 52 Php to US dollar and that wold square here to about $2000.00/month in US economy. You need to stop comparing foreign salaries to the US dollar without knowing the cost of living of that country.

6.377 CNY = 1 USD So, the lowest paid salary of this list is $14474.00/year China

Average Yearly Salary US
94,700 USD
( 7,900 USD monthly)

LOW
24,000
USD AVERAGE
94,700
USD HIGH
423,000
USD

Salaries for specific jobs​

Job Title

Average Salary

Assembly Foreman	99,900 CNY
Assembly Line Worker	92,300 CNY
Assembly Supervisor	143,000 CNY
Assistance Maintenance Manager	354,000 CNY
Assistant Shipping Manager	306,000 CNY
Chemical Equipment Controller	220,000 CNY
Chemical Technican Apprentice	182,000 CNY
CNC Machinist	220,000 CNY
CNC Operator	218,000 CNY
CNC Programmer	240,000 CNY
Colour Technologist	117,000 CNY
Contracts Manager	419,000 CNY
Data Collection Coordinator	170,000 CNY
Demand Planner	142,000 CNY
Derrick Operator	103,000 CNY
Director of Manufacturing	567,000 CNY
Dock Worker	92,300 CNY
Drying Technician	94,200 CNY
Equipment Operator	92,500 CNY
Export Sales Coordinator	299,000 CNY
Factory Superintendent	147,000 CNY
Factory Worker	100,000 CNY
Failure Analysis Technician	152,000 CNY
Fiberglass Laminator	106,000 CNY
Food Technologist	176,000 CNY
Forklift Driver	99,000 CNY
Forming Machine Operator	108,000 CNY
Furnace Operator	93,700 CNY
Gas Appliance Repairer	99,400 CNY
General Warehouse Associate	165,000 CNY
Heavy Equipment Operator	131,000 CNY
HSE Manager	417,000 CNY
Industrial Engineer	325,000 CNY
Industrial Machinery Mechanic	207,000 CNY
Industrial Production Manager	556,000 CNY
Industrial Safety and Health Engineer	317,000 CNY
Intake Operator	125,000 CNY
Key Account Manager	459,000 CNY
Lift Truck Operator	97,800 CNY
Loading Supervisor	183,000 CNY
Logistic Coordinator	249,000 CNY
Logistics Clerk	127,000 CNY
Machine Operator	94,000 CNY
Machinist	100,000 CNY
Maintenance Manager	366,000 CNY
Maintenance Store Clerk	108,000 CNY
Manufacturing Engineer	297,000 CNY
Manufacturing Engineering Manager	484,000 CNY
Manufacturing Engineering Technologist	360,000 CNY
Manufacturing Manager	543,000 CNY
Manufacturing Operative	167,000 CNY
Manufacturing Production Technician	121,000 CNY
Manufacturing Supervisor	281,000 CNY
Manufacturing Technician	112,000 CNY
Materials Supervisor	292,000 CNY
Mechanical Fitter Engineer	320,000 CNY
Mechanical Foreman	101,000 CNY
Merchandise Planner	165,000 CNY
Metrology Engineer	290,000 CNY
Operations Engineer	301,000 CNY
Operations Manager	483,000 CNY
Order Management Coordinator	247,000 CNY
Order Processing Manager	415,000 CNY
Order Selector	126,000 CNY
Package Handler	97,200 CNY
Packaging Manager	340,000 CNY
Packer	97,000 CNY
Packing Deputy Supervisor	255,000 CNY
Planning Manager	464,000 CNY
Plant Manager	534,000 CNY
Precision Instrument Repairer	149,000 CNY
Process Technician	125,000 CNY
Product Manager	500,000 CNY
Production Analyst	450,000 CNY
Production Director	609,000 CNY
Production Engineer	320,000 CNY
Production Engineering Supervisor	490,000 CNY
Production Inspector	330,000 CNY
Production Laborer	90,400 CNY
Production Manager	566,000 CNY
Production Scheduler	243,000 CNY
Production Supervisor	316,000 CNY
Quality Control Analyst	419,000 CNY
Quality Control Inspector	335,000 CNY
Quality Control Manager	442,000 CNY
Service Technician	120,000 CNY
SHEQ Officer	142,000 CNY
Shipping Manager	497,000 CNY
Small Engine Mechanic	167,000 CNY
Spray Painter	102,000 CNY
Sterile Processing Technician	115,000 CNY
Structural Welder	87,500 CNY
Supply Chain Operative	289,000 CNY
Technical Operator	131,000 CNY
Technology Development Manager	540,000 CNY
Testing Technician	216,000 CNY
Toolmaker	162,000 CNY
Warehouse Operative	109,000 CNY
Warehouse Worker	102,000 CNY
Warranty Handler	181,000 CNY
Welder	96,000 CNY
Workshop Manager	374,000 CNY

 

[Bandaman]

you guys are hilarious. billionaires should not be allowed to exist. just because guys like elon musk make much more money than tim cook does not mean that tim cook doesn't make an insane amount of money. it's like saying that it's okay to kill someone as long as you don't kill 100 people. you guys are being fooled to by statistics if you're using elon musk as an argument for why tim cook doesn't make that much.

This is one of the silliest things I’ve ever read.

 

[tranceme]

Ah yes, another dude getting paid more than god while his employees can barely make ends meet: https://www.theverge.com/c/22807871/apple-frontline-employees-retail-customer-service-pandemic

LOL...My friend works at Apple store...tells me he does it because it's easy to coast. Don't believe everything you read.

Btw, last checked, the frontline employee doesn't make decisions that affect millions of people in customers and over 100K in employees. Stop trying to compare job roles. Of course, they are part of success. But, roles are different.

Sure. How much money is enough. But, maybe...just maybe...Apple like most companies compete for talent.

And, frontline employees have the right to get Tim's job too.

My only issue is when these guys get tons of money and the company is going down in flames.