UAW Reveals Top Leaders' 2025 Salaries

Union financial filings show compensation for President Shawn Fain and other executives.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 10:06am

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The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has released its 2025 financial filings with the U.S. Department of Labor, revealing the salaries of its top leaders. UAW President Shawn Fain earned $276,378 in 2025, the highest of his tenure but still lower than some other large union presidents. The filings also show the union's legal fees, general expenses, and a growth in membership of around 17,000 members.

Why it matters

The UAW's financial disclosures provide transparency into the union's operations and leadership compensation, which is of interest to its members, the automakers it negotiates with, and the broader public. Fain's salary, while increased, remains lower than some of his counterparts, reflecting the UAW's historical practice of keeping executive pay relatively modest.

The details

According to the filings, Fain's total compensation of $276,378 in 2025 was the highest of his tenure as UAW president, but still lower than the salaries of other large union leaders like the Service Employees International Union's April Verrett ($322,045) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters' Sean O'Brien ($443,539). The records also show the union's legal fees, including costs related to the federal monitor overseeing the organization, as well as a growth in membership of around 17,000 members, the largest increase under Fain's leadership.

  • The UAW reported its 2025 financial details with the U.S. Department of Labor on March 31, 2026.
  • Fain's compensation of $276,378 was the highest of his tenure as UAW president.

The players

Shawn Fain

The president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, who earned $276,378 in 2025, the highest of his tenure but still lower than some other large union presidents.

April Verrett

The president of the Service Employees International Union, who made $322,045 in 2025.

Sean O'Brien

The president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who made $443,539 in 2025.

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The takeaway

The UAW's financial disclosures highlight the union's commitment to maintaining relatively modest executive compensation, even as the salaries of some other large union leaders have grown significantly. This approach reflects the UAW's longstanding values and its efforts to prioritize the interests of its members over those of its leadership.