Good Gig If You Can Get It: What The Detroit Auto Exec’s Made In 2025

Pay for the top executives at Detroit’s automakers climbed again in 2025, even as at least one of the companies saw profits fall sharply amid tariffs, shifting EV strategy and a tougher operating environment.

According to reporting by Automotive News and company filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Mary Barra of General Motors remained the highest-paid chief executive among the Detroit 3, taking home $29.9 million last year. That marked a 1.4% increase from 2024 and pushed her cumulative earnings over 12 years as CEO past $300 million.

The increase came during a year when GM’s financial performance moved in the opposite direction. The automaker reported $2.7 billion in net income for 2025, a 55% decline, as it absorbed roughly $3.1 billion in costs tied to tariffs on imported vehicles and parts. GM also recorded more than $7 billion in charges as it recalibrated its electric vehicle strategy following the elimination of a federal EV tax credit.

Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes — a key benchmark tied to executive compensation — fell 15% to $12.7 billion. North American pretax profit dropped 28% to about $10.5 billion, which translated into smaller profit-sharing checks for hourly workers, topping out at $10,500.

Barra’s compensation structure reflects the industry’s heavy reliance on equity-based pay. Her base salary held steady at $2.1 million, while stock awards rose 11% to $21.6 million. Incentive compensation tied to performance declined 26% to just under $5 million. In a filing, GM’s compensation committee said the pay program was designed to “navigate uncertainty” while rewarding profitability and product execution.

GM also made headlines for a large compensation package tied to a key hire. Chief Product Officer Sterling Anderson, who joined from autonomous trucking startup Aurora Innovation, was awarded a package valued at $40.3 million, though much of it consists of stock and performance-based incentives that vest over time. His base salary for 2025 was $583,333, with long-term incentives structured to retain him through 2027.

Elsewhere in Detroit, CEO pay trends were more closely aligned with improving company performance — at least on the surface.

At Ford Motor Co., CEO Jim Farley saw his compensation rise nearly 11% to $27.5 million. The increase followed progress on quality improvements, an area Ford has emphasized heavily after years of warranty cost pressures and recalls.

At Stellantis, new CEO Antonio Filosa earned $6.37 million after taking over in June. His compensation reflects a partial year in the role following the tenure of former CEO Carlos Tavares, who had previously topped Detroit CEO pay rankings.

Within GM’s executive ranks, compensation increases were more modest but still notable. President Mark Reuss earned $19.3 million, up 4.6%, while Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson received $13.8 million, a 5.5% increase. Rory Harvey, executive vice president and president of global markets, saw compensation remain essentially flat at $9.8 million.

The broader picture raises a familiar question in the auto industry: how tightly executive pay should track company performance, particularly in volatile periods shaped by policy changes, supply chain disruptions and massive investments in electrification.

Automakers often argue that compensation packages are structured to emphasize long-term results rather than a single year’s financial swings. Equity awards, which make up the bulk of CEO pay, typically vest over several years and are tied to stock performance and strategic milestones.

Still, the contrast in 2025 is hard to ignore. GM’s steep profit decline came alongside only a modest increase in Barra’s pay, while Ford rewarded Farley more generously during a year of operational progress. Stellantis, in transition, reflected that shift with a lower total for its incoming CEO.

In other words, the scoreboard depends on which numbers you’re watching — the income statement or the proxy statement. And in Detroit, those two don’t always move in lockstep.

If anybody knows of any more jobs that you make more money, even when your employer goes backwards in earnings, please put my name in the hat.