Detroit Free Press reports that General Motors disclosed its 2025 executive compensation in a recent proxy filing, revealing slight increases for some top leaders, including GM CFO Paul Jacobson. The pay adjustments follow a year in which General Motors weathered regulatory pressures, shifting electric vehicle incentives and broader market uncertainty while still exceeding internal performance targets.
Jacobson’s total compensation will reach $13,839,977 in 2025, a 5.5 percent increase from the previous year. The pay increases align with similar adjustments across GM’s executive ranks and reflect the company’s updated compensation structure, which ties incentives more closely to performance in four key growth areas: internal combustion vehicles, electric vehicles, software and services, and autonomous technology. GM’s board has emphasized pay-for-performance alignment in recent years, and the latest numbers show continued compliance with that framework.
The compensation news comes alongside details of CEO Mary Barra’s earnings, which will total $29,895,868 in 2025, a 1.3 percent year-over-year increase. In a letter to shareholders, GM Compensation Committee Chairman Devin Wenig stated, “We believe adjusting her salary target, entirely in long-term equity, is in the best interests of our shareholders while recognizing Ms. Barra’s extraordinary leadership.” Barra’s pay package continues to rely heavily on stock awards and incentive-based compensation, reinforcing the company’s long-term performance focus.
General Motors also reported compensation for other senior leaders, including President Mark Reuss, who earned $19,307,990, up 4.6 percent. This increase comes as General Motors claims to have exceeded its financial and operational targets this year, despite external headwinds such as tariffs and evolving federal electric vehicle policies.
Notably, the filing also details a large one-time compensation package for Chief Product Officer Sterling Anderson, worth up to $40 million. General Motors stated, “The committee believes this is an important investment in GM’s competitiveness,” highlighting the strategic importance of software and product integration leadership.
Overall, the compensation updates demonstrate GM’s intent to retain key executives while strengthening performance-based pay. Jacobson’s salary increase, while moderate, reflects his role in GM’s financial execution and the company’s broader strategy to deliver measurable results.
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