Top 10 Highest Paid CEOs In America

Source of Wealth: Chief Executive Nationality:

The chief executives of America’s 500 biggest companies got a collective pay raise of 12% last year(2010) earning total compensation of $4.5 billion. That’s an average $9 million apiece. Exercised stock options account for the main component of pay, 30%. The average stock gain was $2.7 million.

In total these 500 executives earned $4.5 billion in 2010, which averages out to $9 million apiece. Value realized from exercised stock options was the main component of total pay, accounting for 30% again this year.

#1 Stephen J Hemsley

Salary and bonus: $3.3 million

Stock gains: $ $98.6 million

One-year total compensation: $102.0 million

Stephen J Hemsley has been CEO of UnitedHealth Group (UNH) for 4 years. Mr. Hemsley has been with the company for 14 years. The 58 year old executive ranks 1 within Health Care Equipment & Services

#2 Edward A Mueller

Salary and bonus: $5.2 million

Stock Gains: $0.0

One-year total compensation: $65.8 million

Edward A Mueller has been CEO of Qwest Communications (Q) for 4 years. Mr. Mueller has been with the company for 4 years. The 64 year old executive ranks 1 within Telecommunications Services

#3 Robert A Iger

Salary and bonus: $15.5 million

Stock Gains: $21.2 million

One-year total compensation: $53.3 million

Robert A Iger has been CEO of Walt Disney (DIS) for 6 years. Mr. Iger has been with the company for 37 years. The 60 year old executive ranks 1 within Media

#4 George Paz

Salary and bonus: $3.1 million

Stock Gains: $35.0 million

One-year total compensation: $51.5 million

#5 Lew Frankfort

Salary and bonus: $3.6 million

Stock Gains: $44.8 million

One-year total compensation: $49.5 million

#6 Ralph Lauren

Salary and bonus: $20.8 million

Stock Gains: $15.9 million

One-year total compensation: $43.0 million

#7 John C Martin

Salary and bonus: $3.7 million

Stock Gains: $35.8 million

One-year total compensation: $42.7 million

#8 James T Hackett

Salary and bonus: $4.5 million

Stock Gains: $17.2 million

One-year total compensation: $38.9 million

#9 John T Chambers

Salary and bonus: $5.0 million

Stock Gains: $31.6 million

One-year total compensation: $37.9 million

#10 Ivan G Seidenberg

Salary and bonus: $6.0 million

Stock Gains: $0.0

One-year total compensation: $36.7 million