For the most part, CEOs had a pretty good pay year in 2010. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that CEO bonuses at 50 major companies rose 30.5%, according to a study conducted by consulting firm Hay Group. That figure is the largest gain in at least three years. The study, which surveyed companies with at least $4 billion in annual revenue, found that the 50 company heads received a total of $126.1 million in bonuses, up from 2009's $83 million. Top execs are paid a combination of salaries, long-term equity and bonuses. These bonuses are tied with corporate performance, so as industries begin their recovery and companies see profits, bonuses are starting to climb again. Big winners this year include the heads of Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:SBUX)--Howard Schultz received his biggest bonus ever--Jabil Circuit Inc. (NYSE:JBL), Clorox Co. (NYSE:CLX) and Walt Disney Co.'s (NYSE:DIS) Robert A. Iger, who earned $13.5 million in 2010. Monsanto Co.'s (NYSE:MON) and Whirlpool Corp's (NYSE:WHR) chiefs, on the other hand, saw their bonuses shrink due to company underperformance. The lofty paychecks are not, however, granted without oversight. Under a new financial-overhaul law that became effective this year, businesses with market value exceeding $75 million must let their investors approve of exec bonuses at annual meetings. Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE:JEC) and Beazer Homes USA Inc. (NYSE:BZH) are among companies with bonus amounts shot down by investors.
