Peter Orszag has built an unusual career across economics, government, academia, and Wall Street. He is now the CEO and Chairman of Lazard, where his compensation has attracted considerable attention. His fixed salary is only one part of the picture, however, because executive compensation also includes bonuses and long-term incentive awards.
For readers searching for Peter Orszag salary in 2026, the clearest publicly documented figure is his $900,000 annual base salary. Lazard’s latest proxy also reports $15 million in awarded compensation for 2025, showing how significantly performance-based compensation can increase a CEO’s overall earnings.
Peter Orszag Profile
Peter Richard Orszag was born on December 16, 1968, in Boston, Massachusetts. He became an economist before moving into senior government positions and eventually financial services. His career includes leadership of the Congressional Budget Office, service as Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and senior positions at Citigroup and Lazard.
Profile Bio
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Peter Richard Orszag |
| Age | 57 years (2026) |
| Date of Birth | December 16, 1968 |
| Birthplace | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Economist & Financial Executive |
| Current Role | CEO & Chairman of Lazard |
| Lazard CEO Since | October 2023 |
| Base Salary | $900,000 |
| 2025 Awarded Compensation | $15 million |
| Wife | Bianna Golodryga |
| Education | Princeton University & London School of Economics |
| Height | Not reliably publicly documented |
| Net Worth | Not publicly verified |
Peter Orszag Salary
Peter Orszag’s publicly documented base salary is $900,000 per year. His Lazard employment agreement provides for an annual base salary of not less than that amount, while also making him eligible for annual bonuses and participation in executive equity incentive plans.
That means the $900,000 figure should not be confused with his complete earnings. For a senior executive, annual incentives and long-term awards can represent a much larger portion of compensation. Orszag’s recent Lazard compensation illustrates that distinction particularly clearly.
Peter Orszag Compensation
For 2025, Lazard reported that Orszag received $900,000 in base salary, along with a $3.9 million annual cash incentive and a $10.2 million long-term incentive award. Together, those awards amounted to $15 million in awarded compensation.
Lazard also stated that approximately 94% of his awarded compensation was performance-based. This structure means that his overall compensation is influenced substantially by incentive arrangements rather than simply by his fixed annual salary.
Peter Orszag 2026 Pay
His $900,000 base salary remains the clearest fixed compensation figure associated with his Lazard employment. His actual earnings for the full 2026 year, however, cannot be determined simply by adding salary and assuming a particular bonus.
Executive bonuses and long-term incentives depend on compensation decisions and applicable performance arrangements. Therefore, when discussing Peter Orszag salary in 2026, it is more accurate to identify $900,000 as his base salary and treat additional compensation separately.
Who Is Peter Orszag?
Peter Orszag is an American economist and financial executive who has worked at the intersection of economic policy and financial markets. His professional path began with economics and public policy rather than traditional investment banking.
His government career eventually brought him to senior positions in Washington, while his later private-sector work took him into corporate finance. Today, his leadership at Lazard places him among the most senior figures in the global financial advisory industry.
Early Life
Orszag was born in Boston and grew up in Massachusetts. His family background had a strong academic influence, particularly through his father’s career in mathematics. That environment helped shape an early interest in economics and analytical subjects.
He later attended Phillips Exeter Academy before studying economics at Princeton University. His academic record became an important foundation for a career that would eventually combine economic research, government policy, and financial leadership.
Education
Peter Orszag graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University with a degree in economics. He subsequently continued his studies at the London School of Economics, where he earned graduate qualifications and a Ph.D. in economics.
His education provided a strong theoretical foundation for the work that followed. Before becoming a corporate executive, Orszag spent years working with economic research and public policy, giving him experience that extended well beyond traditional financial services.
Government Career
Orszag became Director of the Congressional Budget Office in 2007, a position that placed him at the center of federal budget and economic analysis. The CBO provides Congress with independent analysis of budgetary and economic issues.
He later joined President Barack Obama’s administration as Director of the Office of Management and Budget in 2009. His work during this period included major economic and fiscal policy issues following the financial crisis.
Career at Lazard
Orszag joined Lazard in 2016 after working in senior positions at Citigroup. At Lazard, he initially served as a managing director and vice chairman of investment banking before taking on increasingly senior responsibilities.
He later became Global Co-Head of Healthcare, Head of North American Mergers & Acquisitions, and CEO of Lazard’s Financial Advisory business. These positions placed him increasingly close to the firm’s overall leadership.
Lazard CEO
Peter Orszag became CEO of Lazard on October 1, 2023. His appointment followed years of leadership within the firm and marked a transition from running its Financial Advisory business to overseeing the broader company.
He later became Chairman of Lazard, giving him both executive and board leadership responsibilities. Lazard’s official biography currently identifies him as both CEO and Chairman.
Peter Orszag Net Worth
There is no authoritative public figure confirming Peter Orszag’s exact net worth in 2026. Websites that publish specific net-worth estimates generally rely on publicly available compensation information, stock holdings, or assumptions about private assets.
His disclosed compensation demonstrates that he has earned substantial amounts during his financial career, but compensation alone cannot establish personal net worth. Investments, property, taxes, liabilities, savings, and other private financial information would also need to be considered.
Peter Orszag Wife
Peter Orszag is married to Bianna Golodryga, a journalist and television news personality associated with CNN. Golodryga has developed a substantial career covering politics, economics, business, and international affairs.
The couple’s professional backgrounds overlap in several areas, particularly economics, politics, and global affairs. Despite their public careers, they generally keep many details of their family life away from the spotlight.
Peter Orszag Family
Public biographies report that Peter Orszag has five children, although detailed information about his children’s private lives is limited. That privacy is particularly important because most of his children are not public figures themselves.
Orszag’s family background also includes a strong academic connection. His father, Steven Orszag, was a prominent mathematician. Peter’s own career similarly developed around economics, research, public policy, and analytical work.
Peter Orszag Age
Peter Orszag was born on December 16, 1968, making him 57 years old in 2026. His age places his career in a period of more than three decades of professional experience.
During those years, he has worked in academia, government, economic policy, banking, and financial advisory services. His current leadership position at Lazard represents the latest stage of that long professional journey.
Peter Orszag Height
Peter Orszag’s exact height is not reliably documented by Lazard or another authoritative primary source. Some online profile websites provide measurements, but those figures are not consistently verified.
For that reason, an exact height should not be presented as established fact. The most reliable biographical information concerns his education, professional career, government positions, and current role at Lazard.
Peter Orszag Appearance
Orszag is frequently photographed in formal business clothing because of his work in government and financial services. His professional appearance is generally conservative and suited to corporate and public-policy settings.
Online discussions have occasionally focused on his hair and whether he wears a hairpiece. However, there is no credible public evidence confirming that he wears a wig or toupee. Photographs alone cannot establish such a claim, so speculation should not be presented as fact.
Peter Orszag Social Media
Orszag’s public online presence is primarily professional rather than celebrity-focused. His activities are regularly covered through Lazard, financial publications, conferences, interviews, and economic commentary.
In 2026, Lazard has continued to feature his appearances at major financial and economic events. These appearances provide a clearer picture of his current public activities than unofficial social-media profiles or fan pages.
Peter Orszag’s 2025 Compensation Breakdown
The following figures provide a straightforward view of his most recently disclosed compensation:
| Compensation | 2025 amount |
| Base salary | $900,000 |
| Annual cash incentive | $3.9 million |
| Long-term incentive | $10.2 million |
| Awarded total compensation | $15 million |
The figures above come from Lazard’s proxy disclosure. The company also explained that the majority of Orszag’s awarded compensation was performance-based, rather than fixed salary.
Salary vs. Total Compensation
The difference between salary and total compensation is important when researching Peter Orszag’s earnings. His $900,000 salary represents his fixed annual base pay under the employment arrangement.
The $15 million awarded compensation figure includes additional incentives. Therefore, saying that Orszag “earns $15 million in salary” would be misleading. The more accurate description is that he has a $900,000 base salary and received $15 million in total awarded compensation for 2025.
Career Highlights
Orszag’s professional history includes several major milestones:
- Director of the Congressional Budget Office.
- Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
- Senior executive at Citigroup.
- Managing Director and Vice Chairman at Lazard.
- Global Co-Head of Healthcare at Lazard.
- Head of North American Mergers & Acquisitions.
- CEO of Lazard Financial Advisory.
- CEO of Lazard since October 2023.
- Chairman of Lazard since 2025.
Together, these roles show how his career developed from economics and public policy into senior financial leadership.
Peter Orszag in 2026
In 2026, Orszag remains active as Lazard’s CEO and Chairman. His responsibilities include helping guide the firm’s strategic direction while representing the company at major economic and financial events.
Lazard’s 2026 activities have also included Orszag’s participation in conferences and media appearances covering economic growth, financial markets, geopolitical developments, inflation, tariffs, and other issues relevant to the firm’s clients.
Peter Orszag and Economic Policy
Economic policy remains an important part of Orszag’s professional identity. His experience at the Congressional Budget Office and Office of Management and Budget gave him direct exposure to federal spending, economic forecasting, and public finance.
That background continues to distinguish him from executives whose careers have been spent entirely inside private-sector finance. His work combines policy knowledge with financial-market experience.
Interesting Facts
One of the most interesting aspects of Orszag’s career is its unusual range. He has worked inside the federal government, advised businesses in financial services, written about economic issues, and eventually become CEO of a major financial advisory company.
Another notable point is his long academic connection. Even after moving into corporate leadership, Orszag has maintained relationships with research institutions and organizations focused on economics, public policy, healthcare, and education.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Peter Richard Orszag
- Born: December 16, 1968
- Age: 57 in 2026
- Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Economist and financial executive
- Current role: CEO and Chairman of Lazard
- Base salary: $900,000
- 2025 awarded compensation: $15 million
- Wife: Bianna Golodryga
- Children: Five publicly reported
- Education: Princeton University and London School of Economics
- Former CBO Director: Yes
- Former OMB Director: Yes
- Exact net worth: Not publicly verified
- Exact height: Not reliably documented
FAQs
What is Peter Orszag’s salary in 2026?
Peter Orszag’s publicly documented base salary at Lazard is $900,000 per year. His employment agreement also makes him eligible for annual bonuses and equity incentives, so his total compensation can be considerably higher than his base salary.
How much did Peter Orszag earn in 2025?
Lazard’s compensation disclosures show that Orszag received $15 million in awarded total compensation for 2025. This included his $900,000 salary plus annual cash and long-term incentive awards.
Who is Peter Orszag’s wife?
Peter Orszag is married to Bianna Golodryga, a CNN journalist and television news personality. Lazard’s official biography confirms their marriage.
What is Peter Orszag’s net worth?
Peter Orszag’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. Although various websites publish estimates, there is no authoritative disclosure establishing his complete personal wealth.
How old is Peter Orszag?
Peter Orszag is 57 years old in 2026. Lazard’s 2026 annual report lists him as 57 and identifies him as the company’s CEO and Chairman.
Conclusion
Peter Orszag’s career stretches from economics and academic research to some of the most influential financial and government positions in the United States. His experience includes directing the Congressional Budget Office, leading the Office of Management and Budget, working at Citigroup, and eventually becoming CEO and Chairman of Lazard.
For anyone researching Peter Orszag salary in 2026, the key figure is his $900,000 annual base salary. His overall compensation can be much higher because of bonuses and long-term incentives. In 2025, Lazard awarded him $15 million in total compensation, including $3.9 million in annual cash incentives and $10.2 million in long-term incentives.
His exact net worth and height remain unverified publicly, while his family maintains a relatively private profile. What is clear from reliable sources is that Orszag has built a distinctive career combining economic policy, government service, and global financial leadership.
