Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Apple CEO Succession: Tim Cook's 2025 Pay and John Ternus as Top Contender
Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, has been leading the company for many years.
Recently, it was revealed that he earned $74.3 million in 2025, which is a bit less than the previous year.
Most of his pay comes from stock awards and performance incentives.
As Tim Cook is getting closer to retirement, Apple is thinking about who will be the next CEO.
John Ternus, who is in charge of making Apple's hardware like iPhones and iPads, is seen as the top candidate.
Ternus has been with Apple for a long time and has worked on many important products.
He started his career at Apple in 2001 and has been promoted several times.
Before Apple, he worked on virtual reality headsets.
The new CEO will have big tasks ahead, like keeping Apple innovative and competitive, especially in artificial intelligence.
However, Apple hasn't officially announced anything yet, so it's all still speculation.
Tim Cook received a total compensation of $74.3 million for fiscal year 2025, a slight dip from $74.6 million in the previous year.
John Ternus, Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering, is the leading candidate to succeed Tim Cook as CEO.
Ternus has been instrumental in the development of key Apple products, including iPhones, iPads, AirPods, and the Mac's adoption of Apple Silicon.
Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and has held various engineering roles, including overseeing hardware engineering for major Apple products.
The new CEO will face challenges in sustaining innovation, managing talent, and navigating geopolitical pressures.
- Who
- Tim Cook, Apple's current CEO, and John Ternus, Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering.
- What
- Tim Cook's 2025 compensation details and the potential succession of John Ternus as the next CEO of Apple.
- When
- The discussions and planning are ongoing, with Tim Cook's potential retirement speculated to be soon.
- Where
- The discussions are taking place within Apple's board and senior executive team.
- Why
- Tim Cook is preparing to step down, and Apple is looking to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
- Tim Cook
- Current Apple CEO since 2011
- John Ternus
- Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering
- Tim Cook's 2025 Compensation
- $74.3 million
- Tim Cook's Base Salary
- $3 million
- Tim Cook's Stock Awards
- $57.5 million
- Tim Cook's Performance Incentives
- $12 million
- Other Compensation for Cook
- $1.76 million
- Sabih Khan
- Apple's Chief Operating Officer, earned $27 million in 2025
- Kevan Parekh
- Apple's CFO, earned $22.4 million in 2025
- Kate Adams
- Outgoing General Counsel, earned around $27 million on average
Sources
Who is John Ternus? Apple’s hardware chief tipped as a future CEO contender
Is Apple CEO Tim Cook Going To Retire In 2026? If Yes, Who Will Replace Him?
Apple CEO Tim Cook’s 2025 salary revealed: Here’s how much he earned in a year dominated by iPhone 17
Apple’s next-in-line? Meet John Ternus, a hardware engineer who might become the CEO
