Rivian CEO's $403M Pay Package in 2025: How It Compares to Ford, GM, and Tesla Leaders

Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe received a staggering $403 million in total compensation for 2025, according to company filings. This package included $373.5 million in stock options, $26.6 million in stock awards, and a base salary of $1.12 million.

The compensation dwarfs that of top Detroit automaker CEOs. Ford CEO Jim Farley earned $27.5 million, while GM CEO Mary Barra received $29.9 million in the same period. Rivian delivered 42,247 electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States last year, compared to Ford’s 2.2 million vehicles, GM’s 2.85 million domestically, and Tesla’s roughly 1.65 million globally in 2025.

Scaringe’s pay package places him among the highest-paid automaker executives globally. While it falls short of Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s potential $1 trillion pay package over the next decade, it remains an extraordinary figure, especially given Rivian’s recent performance challenges.

Sales Decline and Stock Struggles

Scaringe’s compensation is particularly notable given Rivian’s recent struggles. Despite posting its first-ever gross profit in 2025 by cutting costs and launching the smaller R2 SUV, the company’s stock price remains significantly below its 2021 peak. Sales also declined last year, raising questions about the timing and scale of the CEO’s pay package.

The $403 million award was not paid entirely in cash. It consisted of $373.5 million in stock options, $26.6 million in stock awards, and a $1.12 million salary.

Future Pay Could Reach $4.6 Billion

In November 2024, Rivian’s board voted to replace a previous performance-based pay structure for Scaringe, which was deemed overly ambitious. Under the new terms, Scaringe’s base salary is set to increase to $2 million. Additionally, he could earn up to $4.6 billion in stock options if the company’s stock price reaches $140 over the next decade.

However, achieving this target appears daunting. Rivian’s stock has mostly traded below $20 for the past three years, down from $130 at its 2021 public offering.