When Disney confirmed that Josh D’Amaro would become the company’s next CEO, most fans focused on what that meant for the parks, movies, and overall direction of the company. D’Amaro has long been seen as the “parks guy,” the executive who understands why fans care so deeply about Disney’s details. But once the excitement settled, another question quickly took over the conversation.
Just how much is Disney paying him?
As it turns out, the answer is significantly more than many fans expected—and the structure of the deal says a lot about what Disney expects from him.
The Base Salary Sounds Big—Until You See the Rest
Disney’s incoming CEO Josh D’Amaro will begin with a base salary of $2.5 million per year, paid weekly. That alone is a number most people can’t even imagine, but in Disney terms, base salary is almost misleading.
It’s the smallest piece of the puzzle.
Disney’s executive compensation model leans heavily on performance-based rewards, meaning D’Amaro’s real earnings depend on how well the company does under his leadership.
Bonuses That Can Triple the Salary
D’Amaro is eligible for an annual incentive bonus worth 250% of his base salary. In practical terms, that means he could earn an additional $6.25 million in a single year if Disney hits its targets.
That bonus structure makes one thing very clear: Disney isn’t paying for a placeholder CEO. The company expects growth, stability, and measurable improvement across its biggest divisions, from theme parks to streaming.
Stock Awards Are Where the Pay Gets Massive
The biggest component of D’Amaro’s compensation comes from long-term stock incentives. For each fiscal year he serves as CEO, he will receive $26.25 million in stock awards.
On top of that, Disney approved a one-time incentive payout valued at just over $9.7 million, designed to lock in his commitment during the transition and early years of his tenure.
When everything is added together, D’Amaro’s annual compensation can climb into territory usually reserved for the most powerful corporate executives in the world.
Why Disney Is Willing to Pay This Much
Disney isn’t making this offer casually. The company is navigating a tricky period—park expansions are expensive, streaming profitability remains a challenge, and fans are divided over the company’s creative direction.
By tying D’Amaro’s pay so closely to stock performance and incentives, Disney is making its expectations crystal clear. The company believes he can steady the ship and push it forward at the same time.
For fans, the number may be surprising. For Disney, it’s a calculated bet on leadership during one of the most important eras in the company’s history.
