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Amazon Still Pays Jeff Bezos Five-Figure Salary Years After CEO Exit
Bezos maintains modest compensation despite massive Amazon stake worth over $200 billion.
Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:39am
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A single, gleaming metal key symbolizes the vast wealth and influence Jeff Bezos maintains through his Amazon shareholdings, despite his modest five-figure salary.NYC TodayDespite stepping down as Amazon's CEO in 2021 and owning an 8% stake in the company worth around $225 billion, Jeff Bezos continues to receive a modest five-figure salary from the e-commerce giant. Bezos, who is the world's third-richest person, has requested not to receive additional compensation beyond his current $81,400 annual salary, citing his already significant ownership in Amazon.
Why it matters
Bezos' continued low salary from Amazon despite his immense wealth and ownership stake highlights how some of the world's wealthiest individuals can structure their compensation to minimize their taxable income, even as their net worth continues to grow rapidly through stock holdings and other assets.
The details
While other tech executives like Elon Musk and Apple co-founder Ronald Wayne have unique compensation structures, Bezos has opted to keep his Amazon salary modest. The company also covers around $1.6 million in security expenses and business travel for Bezos in his role as executive chairman. Despite his low salary, Bezos remains Amazon's largest individual shareholder, with an approximately 8% stake worth an estimated $225 billion.
- Jeff Bezos stepped down as Amazon CEO in 2021.
- Amazon filed its 2026 proxy statement disclosing Bezos' $81,400 salary.
The players
Jeff Bezos
The founder and former CEO of Amazon, who currently holds an 8% stake in the company worth around $225 billion, making him the world's third-richest person.
Andy Jassy
The current CEO of Amazon, who earned a base salary of around $365,000 in 2021.
Ronald Wayne
The lesser-known co-founder of Apple, who continues to collect modest royalties from the company despite selling his stake for just $800 early on.
Elon Musk
The CEO of Tesla, who is awaiting a mammoth payout from the company depending on specific performance targets.
What they’re saying
“I already owned a significant amount of the company, and I just didn't feel good about taking more. I just felt, 'How could I possibly need more incentive?' I just would have felt icky about it.”
— Jeff Bezos, Founder and Former CEO, Amazon
The takeaway
Bezos' continued low salary from Amazon despite his immense wealth and ownership stake highlights how some of the world's wealthiest individuals can structure their compensation to minimize their taxable income, even as their net worth continues to grow rapidly through stock holdings and other assets.
