2011 CEO Pay Strategies Report for S&P 500 Companies

After pay declines in 2008 and 2009, CEOs saw their total compensation rise 28.2% from 2009 to 2010, to a median of $9 million. A few other findings:

• Bonuses were the component of compensation that saw the most growth in 2010, with a 43.3% rise. The median bonus was $2.15 million. 85.1% of CEOs received an annual bonus payout in 2010, compared to 73.6% in 2009.
• Options are still the most common equity vehicle, but performance shares and restricted stock are on the rise.
• Both stock-based awards and bonus payouts became a larger part of the pay mix, at 38.2% and 27.2%, respectively, of total 2010 pay.

For more information, including data on pay by industry and internal pay equity, request the complete 2011 S&P 500 CEO Pay Strategies report.