In 2025, David Solomon earned the highest total compensation among major U.S. bank CEOs, exceeding Morgan Stanley’s $45 million and Wells Fargo’s $40 million. His pay level placed Goldman Sachs at the top of the sector’s executive pay hierarchy.

Boards credited Solomon’s package to record trading revenue, a surge in deal-making fees and eased post-crisis regulatory constraints that unlocked growth opportunities. These factors combined with strong equity performance underpinned the elevated payout.

Solomon highlighted a robust M&A pipeline and potential large-scale IPOs later in the year, signaling confidence in continued investment banking revenue growth. Goldman Sachs plans to leverage this environment to drive further top-line gains.