Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Earned Over $18 Million In 2015: Here’s the Breakdown.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has reportedly banked over $18 million for the 2015 fiscal year ending June 30, according to the company's annual proxy statement which was released yesterday October 19.

Nadella is said to have earned 120% of his targeted annual cash reward - a $4.3 million bonus, and this is apart from his $1.2 million salary for the year and the $12.8 million he owns in stocks.

Microsoft disclosed in a statement that "consistent progress was made in building future growth opportunities," hence CEO Nadella's ability to earn as much as he did.

"Mr. Nadella provided strong, consistent vision and execution on our mobile-first and cloud-first strategy, continued to effectively guide the transformation of the Company's culture and he effectively represented the Company with customers, partners, investors and employees," according to the proxy statement.  

Microsoft was able to calculate Nadellas's earnings against his performance and core priorities and operational performance at the software company.

But that is not all.

"Mr. Nadella established and articulated the company's three broad ambitions to focus the company's offerings, and consolidated the operating systems and devices groups into the Windows and Devices Group. Under his leadership, Windows 10 was successfully launched and the executive compensation program became significantly more performance-based," the company said.

The Microsoft boss gross a base salary of $919,000 in the 2014 fiscal year, and a $3.6 million bonus, apart from a stock award of $80 million even though he could only collect part of these stocks at that time. Last year, he got a cash bonus that was 141% of his targeted award.

Most top executives at Microsoft grossed over 100% of their eligible bonuses and this was reflected in their compensation packages for the fiscal year; these are also included in the proxy statement released on October 19. It is hoped that the staffs will continue to perform well given their incentives and commitment to the job.