On April 1, 1976, tech pioneers Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs, and Ron Wayne founded Apple, sparking a revolution in personal computing. Nearly five decades later, Wozniak—familiarly known as “The Woz”—still holds a unique position within the company, even though he left full-time operations almost nine years after Apple’s founding. Surprisingly, despite his continued employee status, Wozniak receives a modest $50 per week in salary, a far cry from what one might expect for a co-founder of one of the world’s most valuable companies.
In an appearance on Guy Kawasaki’s Remarkable People podcast, Wozniak revealed the details of his paycheck from Apple. After all the deductions are accounted for, he is left with just $50 each week, amounting to roughly $2,600 a year. While the figure may seem shockingly low for someone of Wozniak’s stature, the payment is largely symbolic. Wozniak remains the only person who has continuously received a paycheck from Apple since the company was established.
Though Wozniak no longer contributes to product development or day-to-day operations, his continued connection to Apple is more about legacy than labor. “No one is going to fire me, and I have always had strong feelings for Apple,” Wozniak shared. However, he admits that his transparency and honesty prevent him from being directly involved in the company’s operations. “I’m too open and honest, and I don’t want to change that.”
The Woz’s Criticisms of Apple
Despite his ongoing loyalty to Apple, Wozniak hasn’t shied away from criticizing the company over the years. In 2017, he famously stated that Apple had grown too large to deliver the “next big thing.” He has also voiced his disapproval of various product features, including the iPhone X’s Face ID, the removal of the headphone jack, and even the first iteration of the Apple Watch. Additionally, Wozniak has expressed concerns about Apple’s tax practices, suggesting that the company could take a more ethical stance in this regard.
Yet, Wozniak’s criticisms come from a place of deep-rooted affection for the company he helped create. His vision of a different Apple doesn’t mean he is disconnected from its success—far from it.
A Modest Salary, But a Wealthy Legacy
While $50 a week might seem like a trivial income, Wozniak is far from financially reliant on Apple’s weekly paycheck. His personal fortune is estimated to be close to $100 million, thanks to his Apple shares and investments. The small salary he receives today is more of a nod to his ongoing relationship with the company than a representation of his financial standing.
Steve Wozniak’s enduring connection to Apple, through both his symbolic paycheck and his outspoken views on its future, speaks to the complexity of his role in the tech giant’s history. Though no longer active in Apple’s innovations, The Woz remains a living testament to the company’s origins and its extraordinary journey from a garage startup to a global powerhouse.