Here's What Apple is Paying John Ternus to Run the Company - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Here's What Apple is Paying John Ternus to Run the Company

Apple has set new CEO John Ternus' target compensation at $58 million, according to an updated SEC filing [PDF] (via Bloomberg). Tim Cook will earn around $47 million in his new role as executive chairman.

Apple Logo Cash Feature Mint
Ternus' fiscal 2027 compensation includes a $3 million salary and an annual equity award with a target value of $55 million. A quarter of the award is time-based and will vest semiannually over four years. The rest of the restricted stock units (RSUs) will vest based on Apple's total shareholder return relative to other companies in the S&P 500, which is how Cook's RSUs have worked for many years. For fiscal 2026, Apple granted Ternus a prorated RSU award with a target value of $2.5 million.

Cook's new salary will be $2 million, but he's also earning an equity award with a target value of $45 million in fiscal 2027. Half will be granted in the form of time-based RSUs that vest over four years, and the other half will vest based on Apple's stock performance. Should Cook retire on or after the first anniversary of the grant date, his equity will vest, but he won't receive the shares until the originally scheduled vesting dates. $47 million is a sizable pay cut for Cook, who earned $74.3 million in 2025, including a $3 million salary, $12 million in performance-based cash awards, and $57.5 million in stock awards.

Ternus' previous pay as Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering was not publicly shared, so this is the first look at his compensation.

Popular Stories

cook ternus pikachu

Pikachu Visits Apple Park, Meets Tim Cook and John Ternus

Thursday August 27, 2026 3:10 pm PDT by
Tim Cook shared an inside look at the work he is doing behind the scenes as he prepares to step down as Apple's CEO next week. Cook has been preparing incoming CEO John Ternus for the transition over the last several months, and today he introduced Ternus to popular Pokémon character Pikachu. Cook said he and Ternus met with the Pokémon team to talk gaming. The accompanying video features...
John Ternus CEO 16x9 1

John Ternus is Now Apple's CEO

Tuesday September 1, 2026 7:23 am PDT by
Apple's former hardware engineering chief John Ternus officially became CEO of the company today, with the change now reflected on Apple's leadership page. Ternus joined Apple in 2001, became a vice president of hardware engineering in 2013, and became senior vice president of hardware engineering in 2021. He is 51, so he could serve as CEO for 10 to 15 years before reaching typical...
John Ternus CEO 16x9 1

Read John Ternus' First Memo to Apple Employees as CEO

Tuesday September 1, 2026 10:51 am PDT by
John Ternus officially became Apple's CEO today, with Tim Cook transitioning to a new role as Executive Chair. Ternus sent his first memo as CEO to employees this morning, praising Cook and sharing his excitement for Apple's future. MacRumors obtained a copy of the memo, which you can read in full below.Team, Today, on my first day as CEO, I just wanted to send a quick note to thank...

Top Rated Comments

Chrjy Avatar
23 minutes ago at 02:53 pm
No one needs that much money.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
21 minutes ago at 02:54 pm
I mean if you're running one of the biggest companies in the world and your decisions matter a lot it might be fair I guess? Would be nice if he got taxed properly though. And if the alleged bad treatment and payment of workers would stop.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Abazigal Avatar
11 minutes ago at 03:04 pm
No one needs that much money.
I don’t either, and I won’t say no if someone offered me that much.

It can also probably be argued that they are underpaid given how Apple is practically a money-printing machine these days.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
15 minutes ago at 03:01 pm

No one needs that much money.
Tell that to Elon.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
16 minutes ago at 02:59 pm
Good for him.

It's still more than anyone should be paid.

Then again, I saw a ribeye that was $55 at the store yesterday and the good eggs were $12/dozen
🤔
😂

Jokes aside, we've gone off the rails here on executive pay.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
17 minutes ago at 02:58 pm
Some say Tim Cook’s net worth now is over $2 Billion, while other sources say in the ballpark of $86 million. The only thing we really know is that we will ever know what these guys make and made.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)