“Base salaries are rising as companies compete for skilled leaders who can navigate financial volatility,” Bedford managing partner Frank Galati said in a release on Tuesday.
Last year, Laurenco Goncalves, CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE: CLF), earned the highest pay at $35.34 million. His package included an annual base salary of $2.9 million, equity-based compensation of $16 million and a bonus of $13.7 million.
Richard Adkerson of Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) earned $32.4 million. It included a $2.4 million salary, $16.9 million in equity awards, and $4.3 million in bonuses.
Leon Topalian of Nucor (NYSE: NUE) ranked third, receiving $30.4 million. His earnings included a base salary of $2 million, equity compensation of $18.8 million, and a $6.8 million bonus.
