Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon received a substantial compensation package of $47 million for 2025, reflecting a 21% increase from the $38 million he earned in 2024. This growth comes as the bank experiences a resurgence in its investment banking activities, particularly following strong fourth-quarter results that surpassed analysts’ expectations.
Solomon’s pay includes a base salary of $2 million alongside $45 million in variable compensation, as disclosed in a regulatory filing. His compensation outpaces that of JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, who received $43 million in 2025—a 10.3% increase from the previous year.
To ensure leadership stability through 2030, Solomon and Goldman’s President and COO John Waldron agreed to retention bonuses totaling $80 million each. Waldron is viewed as a potential successor to Solomon when he eventually steps down.
The bank’s executives attributed Solomon’s increased compensation to his effective oversight and the strong performance of Goldman Sachs across its global banking, markets, and asset management divisions. Furthermore, Goldman’s stock price rose over 53% in 2025, further contributing to the positive outlook.
Solomon expressed optimism regarding mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and initial public offerings (IPOs) in the year ahead, citing a favorable regulatory environment. His long tenure at Goldman Sachs began in 1999, and he has held the CEO position since succeeding Lloyd Blankfein in 2018.
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