In 2010, Average CEO Pay Was...

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. (More CEOs stories.)