[hn_throwaway_99]

These CEO compensation comparisons are almost always bullshit because of the way CEOs are usually periodically compensated with a large stock award that vests some number of years later.

Using Cook as an example, given he was previously awarded 7 million shares of AAPL, if you averaged that out over time he'd be right at or near the top. From another article:

> Cook did not receive a stock award in 2017, after receiving a large award of 7 million shares that vests on an elongated schedule through 2021 upon being named the successor to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in 2011. That award was valued at $378 million at the time, making him the highest paid CEO of that year.