CIO Compensation: Tech Execs Who Make Millions

By Kim S. Nash

Salary and benefits for superstar chief information officers range from home security systems to fat cash bonuses. Joe Smialowski, formerly of Freddie Mac, took home the biggest bonus on our list last year: $1,350,000. Close on his heels was Robert Golden of Prudential Financial, with his $1.3 million bonus. It's no surprise that financial services firms dominate the list, but other industries made a strong showing, including retail and manufacturing.

Our ranks are based on proxy statements filed by the Fortune 1000. Click on to see how the other half lives.

No. 1: Barbara Desoer, Bank of America's $10.5 Million Woman

Aside from making a boatload of money last year, Barbara Desoer, global technology and operations executive for Bank of America, is notable as one of nine women on the list of highest-paid CIOs — the highest number of XX chromosomes since we started this research in 2001. Desoer got promoted in May, beating out a man for the job of president of consumer mortgage operations as of July 1, when the bank completed its acquisition of Countrywide Financial.

The nine women in this year's ranks »

Next: The $7 Million Man »
Photo of bank from Wikipedia.