What does it take to go from washing delivery trucks to leading one of America’s biggest retail giants? The story of Brian Cornell, the man behind the red bullseye, is more than just a tale of corporate success; it’s a masterclass in resilience and leadership. And yes, it also comes with a jaw-dropping number.
Brian Cornell runs Target stores. He makes millions of dollars every year. His net worth is about $90 million. That’s enough money to buy hundreds of houses! But how did he get so rich?
Every time you shop at Target, you help make Brian richer. He’s the boss of over 1,800 stores across America. The Brian Cornell Target CEO’s net worth continues to grow because Target generates billions in sales. His salary changes annually in line with the company’s performance.
In this blog, we take a closer look at how Brian Cornell built his wealth and what his story can quietly reveal about leadership, business growth, and the value of persistence.
Who is Brian Cornell?
Brian Cornell has led Target as CEO since 2014. He’s 65 and lives in Minnesota. Before joining Target, he worked in senior roles at several major companies, including PepsiCo.
How Much Money Does Brian Make?
Brian Cornell’s net worth is estimated between $80 and $100 million. Most of this comes from owning Target stock and earning a high salary as a top executive for many years. This makes him one of the wealthiest retail executives in the United States.
Brian’s yearly pay fluctuates significantly. Here’s what he earned recently:
In 2020, he earned $77.5 million. Since then, his earnings have dropped. In 2022, he received the amount of $19.2 million. His salary declined a bit in the year 2023 to 20.4 million dollars. By 2024, the amount had decreased further to $9.9 million.
His earnings have decreased over the years, but he still earns millions as the CEO of Target.
| 2024 | $9.9 million | 51.5% drop from 2023 |
| 2023 | $20.4 million | 6.3% increase from 2022 |
| 2022 | $19.2 million | Significant drop from 2021 (exact 2021 figure unknown) |
| 2021 | Not disclosed | Peak year due to stock awards (exact amount not stated) |
| 2020 | $77.5 million | Highest reported pay year |
Target CEO Salary: What’s in the Paycheck?
Brian Cornell’s total pay as Target’s CEO includes more than just his basic salary. It also covers bonuses, stock awards, and other forms of compensation.
|
Component |
Amount (USD) |
|
Base Salary |
$1.4 million |
| Bonus & Incentives |
$2.3 million |
| Stock Awards (Equity) |
$16.1 million |
| Other Compensation | $596,000 |
|
Total Compensation |
$20.4 million |
From Regular Guy to Millionaire CEO
Brian Cornell was not born with a silver spoon. He struggled to make it to the top. His life is a lesson on how an individual can become rich over time.
Brian was born and brought up in New York. He attended UCLA college and completed a degree in business.
Career Journey
Before becoming the target ceo, he worked at several companies:
- Started at smaller companies in the 1980s
- Worked at Safeway (grocery stores)
- Joined PepsiCo and became a top executive
- Ran Sam’s Club (part of Walmart)
- Finally joined Target in 2014
Each job taught him new skills. He learned about managing people, selling products, and making profits. These skills helped him become successful at Target.
Target’s Success Under Brian’s Leadership
Target became profitable under Brian’s leadership. When he started as CEO, Target was struggling. Now it’s one of America’s most successful retailers.
What Changed at Target?
- Better online shopping website
- Faster store pickup and delivery
- More trendy products and brands
- Improved customer service
- Store renovations and updates
Target’s Financial Growth Under Cornell
Let’s look at some numbers that show how Target has grown under Cornell’s leadership:
- In 2024, Target made $106 billion in total sales.
- Out of that, the company kept $2.4 billion as profit.
- People bought goods worth $74.7 billion through its platform.
- And used items, or “re-commerce,” made up a big chunk.
- In the first quarter alone, used goods generated $7.4 billion.
- That’s about 40% of all sales during that time.
Target’s Financial Success
Since Brian became CEO, Target’s sales have grown significantly:
- 2014: $72.6 billion in sales
- 2024: Over $106 billion in sales
This growth directly affects the compensation of a Target CEO, as their pay is tied to the company’s performance.
How CEO Pay Really Works
Understanding the worth of the CEO of Target requires understanding how executive compensation works. It’s not like a regular job where you get the same paycheck every month.
Stock-Based Pay
Most of Brian’s wealth comes from Target stock. When Target’s stock price increases, his net worth also rises. When it goes down, he loses money on paper. Brian C Cornell owns 353,848 shares of Target Corp (TGT) as of May 28, 2025, with a value of $37 million.
Performance Bonuses Brian gets extra money when Target hits specific goals:
- Sales targets
- Profit margins
- Customer satisfaction scores
- Stock price improvements
Why CEO Pay Changes So Much. The target CEO salary varies because:
- Company performance affects bonuses
- Stock prices go up and down
- Economic conditions impact retail
- Board decisions on compensation
Comparing Brian to Other CEOs
How much does the CEO of Target make compared to other retail leaders? According to recent CEO compensation data, Brian’s pay is competitive but not the highest in the retail industry.
Retail CEO Comparisons (2024)
- Walmart CEO: $24.1 million
- Target CEO: $20.4 million
- Costco CEO: $12.2 million
The Future of Brian’s Wealth
The worth of the CEO of Target will continue to fluctuate. Several factors affect his future net worth:
Stock Performance
Target’s stock price is the most significant factor affecting its performance. If Target continues to grow, Brian’s wealth will likely grow as well. If the company struggles, his net worth could drop.
Retirement Plans
Brian might retire in the next few years. When he does, his compensation will stop, but he’ll keep his stock and savings.
Market Conditions
The retail industry faces challenges:
- Online shopping competition
- Economic ups and downs
- Changing customer habits
- Supply chain issues
Lessons from Brian’s Success
The Brian Cornell target CEO Net Worth Story teaches us several important lessons:
Experience Builds Wealth
He worked at various companies for over 30 years before becoming the CEO of Target. Each job taught him valuable skills.
Patience is Key
Brian didn’t get rich overnight. He built his wealth slowly over many years of hard work.
The Reality of Executive Wealth
Understanding how much a Target CEO makes helps us see how big businesses operate. CEOs like Brian earn millions because they’re responsible for huge companies with thousands of employees.
Why CEO Pay Is So High
- They make decisions affecting billions of dollars
- They’re responsible for thousands of jobs
- Good CEOs can make companies much more valuable
- Bad CEOs can destroy companies quickly
According to recent studies on executive compensation, the average CEO makes about 344 times what typical workers earn.
Target’s Impact on Brian’s Wealth
The target CEO’s net worth is directly tied to Target’s success. Every time Target does well, Brian benefits. Here’s how:
-
Store Performance
Target has over 1,800 stores. When they’re profitable, Brian’s bonuses increase.
-
Online Growth
Target’s website and app generate billions in sales. This digital success boosts the company’s value.
-
Brand Partnerships
Target works with popular brands and designers. Partnerships help Target bring in more customers. More customers mean more money.
-
Customer Loyalty
Happy shoppers keep coming back. That loyalty helps Target maintain its steady profits.
How the Company Benefits Its People
The target CEO’s salary is enormous compared to regular wages. Brian got rich by making Target successful. Success isn’t just about money; it also helps people.
1. Job Creation
Target employs over 400,000 people. Under Brian’s leadership, those jobs are safe. And as the company grows, even more jobs are created.
2. Economic Impact
The success of Target is beneficial to the economy. The enterprise pays the taxes, helps its suppliers, and donates to communities.
3. Investment Returns
Many regular people own Target stock through retirement accounts. When Target performs well, these investments also grow in value.
4. Target’s Attention to Innovation and Sustainability
Target also plans to have all its offices and data centers run on renewable energy by 2025. It aims to achieve the net-zero greenhouse gas emission by 2045.
It is also deploying game-changing AI-based technology. They assist sellers in enhancing their performance and simplifying the process of shopping.
All of this shows Target is thinking ahead for the planet and its people.
Conclusion
Brian Cornell’s $90 million net worth reflects strong leadership that boosts the company, supports employees, and benefits investors.
His success demonstrates that when a CEO leads effectively, everyone benefits, not just one person.
The Brian Cornell target ceo net worth story teaches us that building wealth takes time, education, and hard work, and sheer passion takes you ahead.
Next time you walk into a Target store, remember its boss was once just another young graduate. His net worth will continue to change as Target grows and takes on new opportunities.
