Tesla paid Elon Musk 2.5m times more as CEO than its average worker in 2025

The article says Tesla CEO Elon Musk received 2.5 million times the compensation of Tesla’s average worker in 2025, highlighting widening income inequality among top U.S. companies. Musk’s $158.3 billion pay package was a major outlier, but even excluding him, the average CEO-to-worker pay ratio at top S&P 500 firms rose to 312:1 from 285:1 in 2024. Including Musk, the ratio jumps to 5,387:1. The piece underscores broader labor-market strain, noting workers’ share of national income is at its lowest since World War II and citing data showing many Americans lack retirement savings or emergency funds. For Tesla investors, the story is not about operations or earnings, but about ongoing governance and pay controversy around Musk, which can affect sentiment and corporate perception.