Money | CEOs In 2010, Average CEO Pay Was... ...$9.6M, a 12% increase from 2009 By Evann Gastaldo Posted Apr 10, 2011 10:14 AM CDT Copied Brian Roberts, Comcast CEO, left, talks with Philippe Dauman, Viacom CEO, at a media summit in Sun Valley, Idaho, July 8, 2010. Dauman was the highest-paid CEO in 2010, making $84.5 million in 9 months. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) Once again, it’s a good time to be a CEO in America. After shrinking during 2008 and 2009, executive pay is back on the rise, with many chief execs at major corporations making as much or more than they were before the recession hit. Last year, the median pay for CEOs at 200 major companies was a whopping $9.6 million, the New York Times reports. That’s a 12% increase from 2009. Profits are also up at American businesses—a full 29.2% in the fourth quarter, marking the fastest growth in more than 60 years. But there’s no trickle-down yet, as many of those CEOs are still not hiring. Click to see how much some CEOs are making—including one who scored a 1500% raise. Read These Next Melinda French Gates reacts to her ex showing up in new Epstein files. Sarah Ferguson said she cut off Epstein. Not quite, emails show. Turning Point reveals lineup for its alternative halftime show. Trump signs bill to end the latest government shutdown. Report an error