Dara Khosrowshahi is the former Expedia Group chief executive and current chairman of Expedia Group, and serves as a senior advisor at JetBlue, while having previously been the chief operating officer of Expedia and held senior operating roles at IAC/InterActiveCorp. This profile focuses on his compensation structure, how his salary and bonuses compare with peers, and the role of equity awards in long-term value. Because public companies disclose executive pay in filings, his cash and total compensation can be tracked over time using SEC reports and proxy statements for accuracy.
Compensation Structure at a Glance
Executive compensation for large-cap technology and travel firms typically combines a base salary, an annual short-term cash bonus tied to performance metrics, and long-term equity awards that vest over multiple years. Base salary is set by the board’s compensation committee, bonuses reward year-end financial and operational targets, and equity grants link executive wealth to shareholder returns over time. Understanding each piece is necessary to interpret stated salary and total pay accurately.
Base Salary Versus Total Cash Compensation
Base salary is the fixed cash amount earned regardless of performance, while total cash compensation often includes both salary and annual bonus. For many public-company executives, the base is a small fraction of total cash pay, with bonuses making up a larger, though variable, share. Equity awards, which are not cash in the near term but can be significant when vested, are reported separately from cash earnings in most disclosures.
Defining Key Compensation Terms
- Base salary: Fixed annual cash payment, set by the board’s compensation committee.
- Annual bonus: Target cash award tied to company performance; can range from zero to multiple times base salary depending on results.
- Equity awards: Shares or stock options granted as part of long-term incentive plans, typically vesting over three to four years.
- Total compensation: The combination of salary, bonus, and the estimated cash value of equity awards realized in a given year.
- SEC proxy filing: The official regulatory document where executive pay, including each component, is disclosed in detail.
Dara Khosrowshahi’s Career Context
Khosrowshahi served as chief operating officer of Expedia from 2005 to 2012, then as Expedia Group CEO from 2012 to 2017, before becoming chief executive officer of Uber from 2017 to 2025. His current roles include chairman of Expedia Group and senior advisor at JetBlue, with continued engagement in technology and travel sectors. These roles influence how compensation committees structure pay, balancing base, cash incentives, and equity to attract and retain leadership.
Compensation Trends at Expedia and Uber
At both Expedia Group and Uber, executive pay packages emphasized equity to align leadership with long-term value creation. During his tenures, base salary represented a modest portion of total cash compensation, with bonuses tied to revenue, profitability, and operating efficiency. Equity awards were significant, particularly at Uber during its period of public market valuation shifts, and at Expedia as the company sought to reward sustained growth. Changes in company performance, market conditions, and board governance affected each component over time.
Notable Compensation Milestones
Public proxy filings show notable events, such as changes in base salary following role transitions, one-time special bonuses tied to strategic milestones, and multi-year equity grant patterns tied to shareholder approval cycles. Major corporate events, including spinoffs, leadership changes, and market volatility, often trigger updates to compensation structures or one-time awards designed to retain executive focus during transformation periods.
Compensation Snapshot
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | Fixed annual amount, typically reported in proxy statements for each year | SEC Proxy Filing (DEF 14A) |
| Annual Bonus | Target percentage of salary or cash plan award, varies by year and performance | Proxy Statement and Earnings Releases |
| Equity Awards | Shares or stock options granted, with vesting schedules and grant dates disclosed in filings | Proxy Statement and SEC Equity Compensation Notes |
| Total Compensation (Cash + Equity) | Sum of salary, bonus, and estimated equity value at grant or median fair market value | Aggregated from Proxy and Company Reports |
| Tenure at Company | Period serving as executive for a specific firm, affecting compensation band and equity grants | Corporate Records and Regulatory Filings |
How to Interpret Reported Salary Figures
Reported salary figures can refer to base salary alone, salary plus bonus, or total cash and equity combined. Media summaries often highlight a single number, which can misrepresent the full package. To compare fairly, use total compensation when available, and verify details from primary sources such as SEC filings. Compensation committees explain rationale in proxy statements, linking pay to corporate strategy, risk management, and long-term shareholder value.
Key Takeaways
- Base salary is only one component; bonuses and equity are often larger parts of executive pay.
- Total compensation reflects both guaranteed cash and the estimated value of equity that vests over years.
- Proxy statements provide line-item transparency and are the authoritative source for verification.
- Compensation design aims to attract leadership, reward performance, and retain focus on sustainable growth.
- Changes in role, company performance, and regulatory environment can shift pay mixes over time.
For ongoing tracking, consult the latest proxy filings for Expedia Group and Uber, which disclose base salary, bonus policy, equity grants, and aggregate compensation. These documents provide the most accurate and up-to-date information on Dara Khosrowshahi’s salary and total pay, enabling informed comparisons across companies and years.