The paper presents the analysis of stress in steel and concrete in CFST composite elements subjected to push-out tests. Two analytical models of stress distribution are presented. The bond at the interface between steel and concrete in the initial phase of the push-out test is provided by the adhesion. Until the force reach a certain value, the slip between both materials does not occur or it is negligibly small, what ensures full composite action of the specimen. In the first analytical model the full bond between both materials was assumed. This model allows to estimate value of the force for which the local loss of adhesion in given cross section begins. In the second model it was assumed that the bond stress distribution is constant along the shear transfer length of the specimen. Based on that the formulas for triangle distribution of stress in steel and concrete for the maximum push-out force were derived and compared with the experimental results. Both models can be used to better understand the mechanisms of interaction between steel and concrete in composite steel-concrete columns.