As an expert in the field of corporate finance and executive compensation, I have been closely monitoring the trends and specifics regarding the remuneration of top executives, particularly those at leading tech companies like Google. The salary of a CEO can be a complex matter, often involving not just a base cash salary but also bonuses, stock options, and other forms of compensation that are tied to the performance of the company.

In the case of Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, his compensation package is a prime example of this complexity. According to the information available, for the year 2015, Pichai received a compensation package valued at approximately $100.5 million. The vast majority of this, amounting to $99.8 million, was in the form of company stock, which is subject to vesting conditions that may extend over several years. This indicates a significant alignment of Pichai's interests with those of the company's shareholders, as the value of the stock is directly tied to Google's performance.

The cash salary component of Pichai's compensation for that year was reported to be $652,500. It's important to note that while the cash salary is a fixed amount, the value of the stock-based compensation can fluctuate based on the company's stock price. This means that the total compensation package can vary significantly from year to year, reflecting the market's perception of the company's success and future prospects.

Moreover, CEO compensation is often structured to incentivize long-term value creation for the company. The use of stock options and other equity-based awards means that the CEO's personal financial gain is closely linked to the company's ability to grow and increase shareholder value. This alignment is considered a best practice in corporate governance, as it helps to mitigate the risk of short-term decision-making that might not be in the best interest of the company or its shareholders over the long term.

It's also worth mentioning that the compensation of a CEO can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the size and scope of the company, the industry in which it operates, the CEO's experience and track record, and market conditions. As such, comparing the salaries of different CEOs requires a nuanced understanding of these factors.

In conclusion, the salary of Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, is not a simple figure but rather a comprehensive package that includes both cash and equity components. It is designed to reward performance and align the CEO's interests with those of the company and its shareholders.

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Google's CEO got a massive raise last year. Google's CEO Sundar Pichai had a good 2016. According to a new company filing posted Friday, Pichai's compensation last year was worth over $199 million. (Most of it was stock, not salary.)read more >>