Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja Bags $139 Million Salary in 2024: Report

Tesla’s Indian-origin Chief Financial Officer, Vaibhav Taneja, made headlines in 2024 by earning a staggering $139 million (around Rs 1,157 crore).

This massive compensation package, largely consisting of stock options and equity awards following his 2023 promotion, has positioned him above several of the most prominent tech industry leaders in terms of earnings.

Base Salary and Stock Options Boost Compensation

While Mr Taneja’s base salary was $400,000 (Rs 3.33 crore), the bulk of his income came from stock options and equity grants.

His overall earnings exceeded those of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who earned $79.1 million (Rs 658 crore), and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, whose compensation stood at $10.73 million (Rs 89 crore).

The surge in Tesla’s stock price played a major role in boosting Mr Taneja’s total compensation. At the time of his stock award, shares were valued around $250 (Rs 20,800), which rose to about $342 (Rs 28,400) by May 19, 2025.

This increase occurred despite challenges like declining EV deliveries and profits, reflecting the strong influence of stock performance on Tesla’s executive compensation model.

A Record-Breaking CFO Payout

With a total payout of $139 million, Vaibhav Taneja now ranks among the highest-paid CFOs in history.

His earnings surpassed the previous record of $86 million (Rs 715 crore), set by the CFO of Nikola in 2020. Nikola later filed for bankruptcy in 2024, but its CFO’s pay had set a high benchmark—until now.

Who Is Vaibhav Taneja?

Vaibhav Taneja is a Chartered Accountant who holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Delhi, according to his LinkedIn profile.

His professional journey began at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where he worked from 1999 to 2016 across offices in India and the United States.

In March 2016, Mr Taneja joined SolarCity Corporation, a solar energy firm. He initially served as Vice President and later as Corporate Controller.

The same year, SolarCity was acquired by Tesla, where Mr Taneja successfully led the integration of both companies’ accounting teams.

He officially joined Tesla in 2017 as Assistant Corporate Controller and was promoted to Corporate Controller in 2018. By 2019, he became Chief Accounting Officer.

In 2021, he took on the role of Director of Tesla India Motors and Energy Private Limited, Tesla’s Indian subsidiary. His elevation to Chief Financial Officer came in August 2023.

Salary Driven by Stock Performance

Mr Taneja’s exceptional earnings stemmed mainly from equity and stock options received after his promotion. Tesla’s stock price, which hovered around $250 at the time of his award, had climbed to approximately $342 by mid-2025.

While his base salary was $400,000, the Wall Street Journal reported that his total $139 million compensation could place him among the highest-paid finance chiefs in decades.

Taneja Outpaces Nadella and Pichai

In comparison, Satya Nadella’s total compensation in 2024 was $79.106 million, and Sundar Pichai’s stood at $10.73 million, according to Alphabet’s 2025 Proxy Statement.

Mr Taneja’s massive $139 million package significantly outstripped both, highlighting the scale of Tesla’s performance-based executive rewards.

Elon Musk’s Compensation Under Legal Scrutiny

While Mr Taneja’s earnings have been substantial, Tesla CEO Elon Musk continues to challenge a Delaware court ruling that struck down his $56 billion compensation package, one of the largest in corporate history.

Musk has defended his package, claiming it played a vital role in Tesla’s impressive growth.

A Key Figure in Tesla’s Global Strategy

Mr Taneja also serves as a director at Tesla India Motors and Energy Private Limited, playing a pivotal role in Tesla’s financial strategy and international expansion.

With over two decades of experience in finance and accounting, his leadership continues to be integral to Tesla’s operations worldwide.