The AFL-CIO analysis reveals that S&P 500 CEOs earned an average of $340.1 million in 2025, representing a 1,700% increase over the prior year when Musk’s package is included. Even when excluding Musk, average executive pay at these firms climbed 21% to $22.8 million. The disparity is stark: the average CEO-to-worker pay ratio reached 312-to-1, while Musk’s own compensation at Tesla was 2,522,203 times that of his median employee.
AFL-CIO Report Finds CEO Pay Packages Shattering Economic Records
The nation's largest federation of labor unions reports that Elon Musk’s $158 billion Tesla compensation package effectively broke the CEO pay curve in 2025. According to the latest Executive Paywatch data, the divide between executive windfalls and the median American worker’s earnings has reached what organizers call a shameful new high.
Sector Disparities and Political Wealth
Manufacturing leads the trend, with executive compensation averaging over $696 million compared to $93,000 for the typical worker. Similarly, the arts and education sectors show massive gaps where executive pay reaches $24 million to $50 million. The report also highlights the financial gains of President Donald Trump, who disclosed $2.2 billion in income for 2025—a 254% increase from 2024. AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer Fred Redmond argues that such figures illustrate a system rigged against working families struggling with the rising costs of housing, healthcare, and groceries. The federation is now mobilizing 16 million union voters to challenge these trends through political action.
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