MUMBAI: Chief executives at India’s listed companies pocketed an average of Rs 7.2 crore in FY24, according to a new study by executive search firm Resource Bridge. The figure marks a doubling over the past decade, reflecting an annual growth rate of nine per cent. Chief financial officers, meanwhile, earned an average of Rs 2.3 crore — a 1.7-fold rise in the same period.
The CEO Compensation Report 2025 and CFO Compensation Report 2025, compiled after a three-month analysis of nearly 1,000 annual reports and public financial data, highlight how leadership pay is shaped by sector, geography, and ownership. Manufacturing-sector CEOs remain the best paid, while CFOs in services-led industries top their peer group. Executives in North India command the highest salaries, while those in the East lag consistently behind.
Ownership matters, too. Multinational corporations continue to outpay Indian-owned firms, with executive compensation spiking sharply once turnover passes Rs 5,000 crore — and again at the Rs 50,000 crore and Rs 1 lakh crore marks.
To aid boards and promoters, the report debuts a proprietary compensation calculator that benchmarks CEO and CFO salaries based on turnover, sector, ownership, region and financial performance.
Founded by K. Ramadhurai and Saroja Ramadhurai, Mumbai-based Resource Bridge has built a 20-year legacy focusing exclusively on CEO and CFO appointments. The firm is known for its research-driven counsel on leadership transitions and pay structuring.