CEOs significantly outpace the average American's pay rate, particularly when examining those leading the top 350 U.S. companies, who earned $15.6 million on average in 2016, according to a CNBC report.
The average CEO pay is 271 times the annual average pay of the typical American worker, which is around $58,000, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Here are five findings on CEO pay from the report.
1. CEOs made 286 times the salary of a typical worker in 2015 and 299 times more in 2014. In 1978, CEO earnings were approximately 30 times the average employee's salary.
2. American workers have seen an 11.2 percent increase in compensation since 1978 (adjusted for inflation). During that time, CEOs have seen a 937 percent increase in earnings.
3. When compared to employees considered to be "very high" wage earners, CEO pay is still high. The average CEO of a large company earns 5.33 times the annual earnings of those in the top one percent.
4. Although some company boards argue CEO pay is based on experience and the role's requirements, the study found CEOs receive more money because they have the power to set pay.
5. However, economists struggle determine how much a CEO should be paid. The role of a CEO is difficult to fill and has a significant impact on the economy and the company's employees, said Nicholas Bloom, PhD, economics professor at Stanford (Calif.) University Graduate School of Business. As a result, companies use these salaries to attract the best possible leaders.