Amazon’s Jeff Bezos salary was same for years, still he earned Rs 679330000 per hour in 2024, now he is selling …

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the world’s second-richest person with a net worth of $241 billion, maintained a modest annual salary of just $80,000 (approximately ₹67 lakh) during his tenure as CEO. Remarkably, this base salary remained unchanged since 1998, underscoring his commitment to his role as a founder.

“My view was that I was a founder,” Bezos told The New York Times. “I already owned a significant amount of the company, and I just didn’t feel good about taking more.”

How Is Jeff Bezos Earning In Millions?

Despite his modest salary, Bezos earned extraordinary wealth through his ownership stake in Amazon. According to Inc.com report, from 2023 to 2024, Bezos reportedly earned $8 million per hour, a testament to the astronomical growth of his investments and the company’s valuation.

“I had plenty of incentive,” Bezos said, referring to his ownership of over 10% of Amazon’s shares. “I just felt, how could I possibly need more incentive?”

Jeff Bezos Resigned As CEO

Since stepping down as CEO, Bezos has periodically sold portions of his Amazon stock. As per a report by Fortune, he plans to sell 25 million shares by the end of 2025. Bezos has also refrained from drawing additional compensation from the company, instructing Amazon’s compensation committee not to allocate him any perks or bonuses. “I’m very proud of that decision,” he said, adding that receiving higher pay would have made him feel “icky.”

Tax Benefits And Low Salaries

Bezos’ decision to keep a low salary wasn’t just about personal ethics, it also helped him minimize taxes. A ProPublica investigation into decades of IRS data revealed that in 2007 and 2011, Bezos paid zero federal income tax. This was possible because he reported investment losses greater than his income, offsetting his tax liabilities.

The practice of drawing minimal salaries while generating wealth through investments is common among billionaires, as it allows them to pay significantly lower taxes. This strategy has fueled debates about tax fairness, with critics arguing that such loopholes allow the ultra-rich to avoid contributing their fair share.

Wealthy individuals like Bezos often rely on their investments to generate substantial income while keeping their official salaries low. This approach helps them legally reduce tax obligations. The revelation that some of the richest people in the world, including Bezos, pay little to no income tax has sparked ongoing discussions about the inequities of the tax system.