The landscape of Hollywood leadership has shifted dramatically with the completion of the Paramount-Skydance merger. For those tracking executive compensation, the focus has moved from legacy media veterans to a new breed of creator-CEO.
As of August 2025, David Ellison has officially stepped into the role of Chairman and CEO of Paramount. This transition marks a pivotal moment for the company, moving away from the “Office of the CEO” interim structure and into a unified vision under Skydance leadership.
Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Paramount CEO salary structure, the financial history of the role, and what we know about David Ellison’s net worth.
The New Era: Who is David Ellison?
David Ellison is not your typical corporate executive. Before taking the helm at Paramount, he spent over a decade building Skydance Media into a powerhouse.
He founded Skydance in 2010 and turned it into a diversified media giant. His track record includes producing global blockbusters like Top Gun: Maverick and the Mission: Impossible series.
Under his leadership, Skydance films have grossed nearly $10 billion worldwide. This creative success is now the foundation for his role as the head of the newly formed Paramount Skydance.
A Multi-Platform Visionary
Ellison’s expertise extends far beyond the silver screen. He launched Skydance Television in 2013, producing hits like Grace and Frankie and Jack Ryan.
He also established Skydance Animation and Skydance Sports. These divisions have secured major partnerships with giants like Apple TV+, Netflix, and the NFL.
Now, as CEO of Paramount, he oversees a massive portfolio. This includes CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, and the streaming platform Paramount+.
Understanding the Paramount CEO Salary Structure
When people search for “CEO salary,” they often look for a single number. However, executive pay at this level is a complex puzzle of different financial instruments.
To understand what David Ellison or his predecessors earn, we have to break the compensation down into four main categories.
1. Base Salary
This is the guaranteed cash paid out bi-weekly or monthly. For a company the size of Paramount, the base salary is usually between $2 million and $4 million.
While this sounds high, it is actually the smallest part of a CEO’s total package. It is the only part of their pay that isn’t “at risk” based on performance.
2. Stock Awards (Equity)
This is where the real wealth is generated. CEOs are granted shares of the company that “vest” over several years.
If the company’s stock price goes up, the CEO’s net worth skyrockets. If the stock fails, a large portion of their projected pay disappears.
3. Non-Equity Incentives (Bonuses)
These are cash bonuses tied to specific yearly goals. These goals might include hitting a certain number of Paramount+ subscribers or reducing corporate debt.
4. Perks and Benefits
This category includes “Other Compensation.” It covers things like personal security, use of the corporate jet, and high-end insurance premiums.
Historical Context: What Previous Paramount CEOs Earned
To predict David Ellison’s compensation, we must look at the historical data from the previous leadership. Paramount has a history of high-stakes executive pay.
The Bob Bakish Era (2021–2023)
Bob Bakish served as the CEO during the critical years of the streaming wars. His pay reflected the massive responsibility of merging Viacom and CBS.
- 2021: Bakish earned approximately $20 million.
- 2022: His pay jumped significantly to $32 million.
- 2023: His total compensation was $31.3 million.
In 2023, Bakish’s $31.3 million was broken down into a $3.1 million base salary, $15.5 million in stock, and $12.4 million in incentives.
The Interim “Office of the CEO” (2024)
After Bakish exited in early 2024, Paramount was led by a trio of executives: Chris McCarthy, Brian Robbins, and George Cheeks.
According to industry filings, the pay for these interim leaders remained high to ensure stability during the merger talks.
- Chris McCarthy (co-CEO): Reported compensation of $19.5 million.
- Brian Robbins (co-CEO): Reported compensation of $19.6 million.
These figures show that even in a transitional phase, Paramount allocates nearly $60 million annually to its top leadership tier.
David Ellison’s Net Worth and Financial Standing
David Ellison’s financial profile is unique because he was a billionaire long before he became the CEO of Paramount.
His net worth is not just tied to a salary; it is tied to his ownership of Skydance and his family background.
The Skydance Value
As the founder of Skydance Media, Ellison owned a significant portion of a company valued at billions of dollars.
The merger with Paramount allowed him to fold his private success into a public empire, significantly increasing his liquid net worth.
Family Connections
David is the son of Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle and one of the wealthiest people in the world.
While David has built his own success in Hollywood, his access to capital has allowed him to take risks that other CEOs might avoid.
Estimated Net Worth
While exact figures are private, analysts estimate David Ellison’s net worth to be in the multi-billion dollar range.
His wealth is driven by his film equity, real estate holdings, and his new majority stake in the merged Paramount Skydance entity.
Comparing Paramount to Industry Rivals
To see if the Paramount CEO salary is “fair,” we have to look at what other media moguls are taking home.
| Executive | Company | Total Annual Pay | Key Driver |
| David Ellison | Paramount | TBD (Est. $30M+) | Merger Success |
| Bob Iger | Disney | $31.6 Million | Stock Performance |
| Ted Sarandos | Netflix | $49.8 Million | Content Strategy |
| David Zaslav | Warner Bros. Discovery | $49.7 Million | Debt Management |
| Naveen Chopra | Paramount (CFO) | $8 Million | Financial Oversight |
As the table shows, the $30 million range is the “standard” for a legacy media CEO. However, top performers in streaming like Netflix often see much higher ceilings.
Why This Matters for Investors and Fans
You might wonder why a CEO’s salary is such a hot topic. It isn’t just about the “glamour” of high numbers; it’s about the direction of the company.
The “Skin in the Game” Factor
Because most of David Ellison’s pay will be in stock, he is incentivized to make Paramount profitable.
If Paramount+ fails or the film slate flops, his personal wealth takes a direct hit. This aligns his interests with the average shareholder.
Attracting Talent
High executive salaries are often used to attract “A-list” leadership. By hiring a successful producer like Ellison, Paramount is betting that his creative instincts are worth the high price tag.
The Future of Paramount Skydance
With Jeff Shell as President and a new leadership team in place, the focus is now on “efficiency.”
The market will be watching to see if Ellison can maintain a high salary while also cutting costs across the broader organization.
Summary: The Bottom Line on Paramount Pay
The story of the Paramount CEO salary is one of transition and high-stakes investment.
We have moved from the $31 million packages of Bob Bakish to a new era where the CEO is also the primary owner.
Key Takeaways:
- David Ellison took over as CEO in August 2025 following the Skydance merger.
- Historical pay for the role sits between $20M and $32M annually.
- Total compensation is mostly comprised of stock awards, not cash salary.
- Ellison’s net worth is bolstered by his $10 billion track record as a producer.
As Paramount navigates the future of streaming and theatrical releases, the compensation of its leaders will remain a key indicator of the company’s health.
For those looking to track these numbers in real-time, the annual Proxy Statement (DEF 14A) filed with the SEC remains the gold standard for verified data.