Top 15 Highest Paid Employees

Earning a big wage is one of the most sought-after milestones for many professionals in today’s society. Companies are prepared to spend top money to recruit and keep the finest personnel in their respective sectors as competition for top talent grows.

It’s no wonder, therefore, that the highest-paid workers are often those with remarkable abilities, experience, and expertise.

This article will look at the world’s top 15 highest-paid workers. These people have had tremendous success in their jobs, earning wages that are beyond the typical person’s greatest aspirations.

Whether you’re interested in the inner workings of the corporate world or the world of professional sports and entertainment, this list will give you a look into the lives of the world’s highest-paid workers.

15. LeBron James

 

 

NBA player LeBron James plays for the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA). He won four NBA titles, four NBA MVP Awards, and two Olympic gold medals.

LeBron James has developed a profitable financial empire via investments and commercial activities. He invests in Blaze Pizza, SpringHill Entertainment, and Liverpool Football Club.

LeBron James was the 15th highest-paid employee in 2021, earning $96.5 million from $31.5 million in pay and $65 million in endorsements, according to Forbes. Nike, Coca-Cola, and Beats by Dre promote him.

14. Neymar Jr

Brazilian soccer player Neymar Jr., usually known as Neymar, now competes for Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil national team.

The FIFA World Cup, the Copa America, and the UEFA Champions League are just a few of the accolades he has received over his career, which has led many to believe him to be one of the finest soccer players in the world.

Neymar is a thriving businessman off the field and has a long list of endorsement deals with well-known brands like Nike, Red Bull, and Gillette. He also debuted his own, accessory, and footwear company, NJR, which offers a variety of items.

13. Lionel Messi

 

 

Lionel Messi plays for Paris Saint-Germain and Argentina. He has won the FIFA World Cup, Copa America, and UEFA Champions League.

Messi has several corporate sponsorships, including Adidas, Pepsi, and Huawei. The Messi Store sells apparel and accessories.

Messi earned $110 million in 2021, $75 million in salary, and, $35 million in sponsorships, according to Forbes. His wages and sponsorships make him one of the world’s richest soccer players.

12. Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo plays for Manchester United and Portugal. He won the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship, and UEFA Champions League.

Ronaldo has several corporate sponsorships like Nike, Herbalife, and Clear. CR7, his fashion company, sells clothes and accessories.

Ronaldo was the 5th highest-paid employee in 2021, earning $120 million from pay and sponsorships, according to Forbes. He is one of the world’s richest soccer players due to his pay and sponsorships.

11. Roger Federer

Switzerland’s Roger Federer is a legendary tennis player. He is the only male player to have won 20 Grand Slam singles championships.

Federer has several commercial sponsorships, including Rolex, Mercedes-Benz, and Credit Suisse. Roger Federer, his tennis and lifestyle brand, sells gear, clothes, and accessories.

Federer was the 11th highest-paid employee in 2021, earning $106.3 million, including $6.3 million in salary and $100 million in sponsorships, according to Forbes. He is one of the world’s richest athletes due to his sponsorship agreements.

10. Dara Khosrowshahi

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is an Iranian-American businessman. After 12 years as CEO of Expedia Group, a renowned online travel firm, he joined Uber in 2017.

Khosrowshahi has led Uber through many reforms and measures to improve operations, including a renewed emphasis on safety and the addition of bike-sharing, electric scooters, and food delivery.

In 2021, Khosrowshahi was the 10th highest-paid employee in the world, receiving $30.2 million from $1.5 million in salary, $28.5 million in stock awards, and $167,000 in other pay, according to Forbes.

9. David Zaslav

 

David Zaslav is the CEO of Discovery, Inc., which owns Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, and Food Network. Since 2007, Zaslav has led Discovery’s growth into new markets and programming.

Discovery has bought Scripps Networks Interactive and Golf Digest under Zaslav’s direction. Zaslav also launched Discovery+, a streaming service with programming from Discovery’s cable networks.

Zaslav was the 8th highest-paid employee in the world in 2021, earning $37.7 million, including $3 million in salary, $33.and 5 million in stock awards.

8. Michael Fries

Liberty Global’s CEO, Michael Fries, is American. Fries has led Liberty Global since 1990, serving as CEO since 2005.

Liberty Global is one of the leading cable TV and broadband internet providers in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean under Fries’ leadership.

Horizon Go, which allows on-demand access to popular TV series and movies, was launched under Fries’ leadership.

7. Robert Kotick

 

Activision Blizzard, which owns Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush, is run by American businessman Robert Kotick. Since 2008, Kotick has been ActiActivision.

Activision Blizzard, with a $60 billion market worth, has grown under Kotick’s leadership. Kotick has managed the company’s expansion into esports and mobile gaming and developed numerous blockbuster video games, including Call of Duty and Skylanders.

In 2021, Forbes listed Kotick as the 2nd highest-paid employee in the world, earning $142 million with $1.8 million in salary, $139 million in stock awards, and $174,999 in other pay.

6. Phil Knight

Phil Knight, an American businessman, co-founded Nike, Inc. Knight was Nike’s CEO from 1964 until 2004.

Nike’s market worth is above $200 billion under Knight’s leadership. Knight directed Nike’s expansion into new industries including fitness technology and wearable devices and oversaw the creation and distribution of numerous classic Nike products, including the Air Jordan basketball shoe series.

Knight earned $3 million in salary, $25.1 million in stock awards, and $1 million in other income in 2021, according to Forbes.

5. Joseph Ianniello

Joseph Ianniello was CBS Corporation’s CEO from 2018 to 2019. Ianniello joined CBS in 1997 and served as COO before becoming CEO.

Ianniello managed CBS’s digital expansion, including the introduction of CBS All Access. He negotiated the 2019 CBS-Viacom merger, creating ViacomCBS, an international media company.

In 2021, Forbes listed Ianniello as the 9th highest-paid employee in the world, receiving $116.6 million from $125,000 in salary, $115 million in stock awards, and $1.5 million in other remuneration.

4. Thomas Rutledge

 

One of the biggest cable television and broadband internet providers in the US, Charter Communications, is headed by American businessman Thomas Rutledge.

Since joining Charter in 2012, Rutledge has been in charge of managing the company’s initiatives to increase its product offerings and strengthen its network infrastructure.

With a market value of more than $130 billion, Charter has grown to be one of the biggest cable providers in the nation under Rutledge’s direction.

3. Sundar Pichai

Alphabet Inc.’s CEO, Indian-American Sundar Pichai, runs Google. Pichai joined Google in 2004 and held different managerial positions until becoming CEO in 2015. He succeeded co-founder Larry Page as Alphabet Inc. CEO in 2019.

Google’s search engine, Android mobile operating system, and Google Cloud have continued to innovate under Pichai’s leadership.

In 2021, Pichai was the 6th highest-paid employee in the world, receiving $209.2 million from $2 million in salary, $204 million in stock awards, and $3.2 million in other remuneration, according to Forbes.

Pichai’s pay reflects Google’s worldwide technology sector influence and his leadership in the company’s expansion.

2. Tim Cook

Apple Inc.’s CEO, Tim Cook, is American. Cook became Apple’s CEO in 2011, following Steve Jobs. Apple has continued to innovate and introduce new products and services under Cook, including the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

Cook has also spearheaded the company’s environmental and social initiatives, such as using 100% renewable energy and supporting human rights and equality. Cook earned $265 million in 2021, according to Forbes.

1. Elon Musk

The CEO and co-founder of many businesses, including SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and The Boring Company, Elon Musk is a South African-American business mogul, industrial designer, and engineer.

Musk is renowned for his bold aspirations, which include transforming the way we travel through space, finding sustainable energy sources, and ushering in a new age of transportation.

Tesla has developed into a top producer of electric automobiles, while SpaceX has become the first privately financed firm to fly people into space.

Both organizations are led by Elon Musk. Musk has also publicly expressed his worries about climate change and made investments in renewable energy sources like solar energy and energy storage.

In 2021, Musk, who received no salary, $7.5 billion in stock options, and $300 million in additional remuneration, was the highest-paid employee in the world, according to Forbes.

The enormous effect that Musk’s businesses have had on the world economy and his role in pushing the frontiers of innovation are isreflectedn his salary.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a range of sectors, including technology, sports, entertainment, and media, account for the top 15 highest-paid workers in the globe.

These people have made important contributions to their respective industries and have received honors for their achiachievementsadership, and invention.

Along with some less well-known names like Michael Fries and Joseph Ianniello, the list has well-known individuals like Elon Musk, Tim Cook, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Their significant contributions to their organizations and the global economy are reflected in their substantial salaries.