Microsoft has been losing a lot of its positive image lately. In the past two years, it has laid off over 10,000 workers, closed significant studios like Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks, and raised Xbox Game Pass prices multiple times. Surprisingly, Microsoft has reported good fiscal performance this year, as evident in the salary rise for its CEO, Satya Nadella.

As detailed by CNBC, Nadella’s compensation for 2025 is pegged at $96.5 million, a $17.4 million increase from the previous year. To visualize this figure: with the top tier of Xbox Game Pass priced at $30 per month, this equates to potentially covering 3.216 million months of the service.

In specifics, Nadella’s substantial earnings mostly stem from stock awards amounting to $84.245 million and incentive pay of $9.55 million. His other compensation is a mere $196,294, amassing a total of $96.496 million for 2025.

An SEC filing reflecting Microsoft’s 2025 financial specifics reveals Nadella’s monitored performance within areas like security and product management, achieving remarkable ratings surpassing the benchmarks set for evaluation. With Xbox anticipated to achieve 30% profit margins, Nadella’s management decisions and the strategic direction laid out for Microsoft remain subject to scrutiny and discussion.