GM CEO Mary Barra Third-Highest Paid Auto Executive

Mary Barra, chief executive of General Motors, received $48.2 million in 2025, placing her third among executives in the automotive sector when measured by Equilar's realized-pay methodology. The figure represents a 61.7 percent increase from 2024 and differs from the $29.9 million Barra reported to the US Securities and Exchange Commission because it includes the cashing out of stock and securities awards.

GM's fiscal 2025 was marked by strategic adjustments and heavy investments in its powertrain mix. The company pulled back slightly on early electric vehicle targets even as it announced a $4 billion capital program to upgrade US plants for both gasoline and electric models. Despite the turbulence, GM sold 2.85 million vehicles worldwide, grew sales by 6 percent and reclaimed the top sales position in the United States.

Across the wider ranking, Jensen Huang of Nvidia topped the list with $152.9 million in realized pay, and Revathi Advaithi of Flex stood second at $48.8 million. Both Nvidia and Flex supply advanced electronics and systems to automakers, with Nvidia providing processors and artificial intelligence for driver-assistance systems used by manufacturers such as General Motors and Toyota. Traditional automaker CEOs earned considerably less; Ford's Jim Farley drew $16.7 million, down 39 percent year on year, and Rivian's RJ Scaringe received $12.4 million, an 11 percent decline. Using Equilar's calculations, Barra's total compensation over the past five years amounts to $201 million, more than double Jim Farley's $86.6 million over the same period.

A critical test: the new Silverado

GM enters 2026 with lingering uncertainty around its electrification strategy. Temporary layoffs at the Factory Zero electric-vehicle facility and Cadillac's retreat from a full transition to electric by 2030 underline the recalibration; Cadillac is now developing next-generation gasoline versions of the CT5, XT5 and XT6. Perhaps the most consequential immediate test for GM will be the launch of the new-generation Chevrolet Silverado, a top-selling pickup that is vital to the company’s US lineup. For this generation, Chevrolet will replace the much-disputed 6.2-liter L87 V8 with a new sixth-generation 6.6-liter L78 V8. Chevy has confirmed the new Silverado will reach the market later this year.