What Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Actually Earned in 2024: A $27.22 Million Breakdown

TheMemefather · 2026-02-03T09:16:10+00:00

Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, received a $27.22 million compensation package in 2024, primarily from personal security expenses, despite taking an annual salary of just $1. The CEO-to-median pay ratio was 65:1, reflecting a widening pay gap. Additionally, Zuckerberg pledged 12 million shares as collateral for debts, highlighting new accountability measures.

TheMemefather

2026-02-03 09:16:10

Abstract generation in progress

Meta’s CEO took home a total compensation package valued at $27.22 million during the 2024 fiscal year, marking a notable increase from the $24.4 million he received in 2023. According to the company’s SEC filing, this represents a significant rise in executive compensation year-over-year. However, the composition of this paycheck tells a more intriguing story than the headline number suggests.

The $1 Salary and Where the Real Money Goes

Here’s where Zuckerberg’s compensation structure diverges dramatically from typical CEO salary models. The Meta founder requested just $1 as his annual salary for 2024—a symbolic gesture many tech executives adopt. He received no bonuses and no equity awards, which is remarkably different from how most corporate leaders structure their compensation packages. The bulk of his $27.22 million package—the lion’s share—actually came from personal security expenses. This includes costs related to comprehensive security arrangements at his residences, protection during personal travel, and expenses tied to his use of private aircraft.

CEO-to-Employee Pay Gap Widens

The compensation disparity between leadership and the broader workforce grew in 2024. Meta reported a CEO-to-median-employee pay ratio of 65:1 for the year, meaning Zuckerberg’s total compensation was 65 times higher than that of the median company employee. This metric reflects the broader trend in tech industry executive compensation, where security costs and personal expenses increasingly dominate CEO pay packages compared to traditional salary and equity arrangements.

Significant Stock Pledges Secure Debt Obligations

Beyond his annual compensation, Zuckerberg has committed substantial company assets as collateral for certain financial obligations. According to board approval and the compensation committee’s authorization, Zuckerberg has pledged 12 million shares of Meta’s Class B common stock. This represents approximately 3.5% of all shares he personally owns, 0.5% of the company’s total outstanding shares, and roughly 2.1% of the company’s total voting power as of April 1, 2025. This stock pledge arrangement demonstrates how executive accountability extends beyond traditional compensation mechanisms into asset-backed security arrangements.

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