Google CEO Sundar Pichai is about to receive one of the largest executive pay packages worldwide. A recent report says his total potential compensation could reach $692 million (over ₹63,000 crore) in the next three years.
This large pay package shows Alphabet’s board trusts Pichai’s leadership and the company’s long-term plans, especially in new areas such as self-driving technology and artificial intelligence.
A big part of the pay comes from performance stock units (PSUs) worth $126 million, split into two equal parts. These rewards depend on Alphabet’s performance relative to the S&P 100.
If Alphabet beats its performance goals, these PSUs could be worth $252 million. But if the company misses the targets, the stock rewards might not pay out at all.
In addition to performance-based rewards, Pichai is set to receive $84 million in restricted stock units that will vest monthly over three years. His base salary is much smaller, at $2 million a year.
Alphabet has also introduced additional incentives worth up to $350 million, linked to the growth and performance of its autonomous technology ventures.
These incentives include:
- $130 million in stock linked to Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving vehicle unit.
- $45 million in shares associated with Wing Aviation, which focuses on drone-based delivery services.
Both stock grants could potentially reach 200 percent of their target value depending on business performance.
Since becoming Google’s CEO in 2015, Pichai has overseen dramatic growth for the company. During his leadership, the company’s market capitalisation has surged from roughly $535 billion to about $3.6 trillion, briefly reaching $4 trillion earlier this year.
Before becoming CEO, Pichai helped develop some of Google’s most important products, like the Chrome browser and the Android platform.
The 53-year-old Indian-born executive joined Google in 2004. Before that, he worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company.
Reports also indicate that Pichai recently sold 32,500 Class C shares worth around $9.8 million. Despite that sale, he and his wife still hold approximately 1.67 million Google shares, valued at nearly $498 million based on recent market prices.
Comparison With Other Tech CEOs
Pichai’s pay is higher than that of many other tech leaders. For example:
- Satya Nadella earned about $96.5 million at Microsoft in fiscal 2025.
- Tim Cook received $74.3 million from Apple during the same period.
Alphabet’s board says the pay plan is intended to reward long-term success, especially in areas such as self-driving technology and next-generation innovations.
With big projects like Waymo and Wing Aviation under his watch, Pichai’s pay package shows the company is betting its future growth will come from innovation beyond its usual internet services.
