[quote=SDEngineer]You could use this argument against every position in every company, public or private, and wind up proving that virtually everyone is overpaid.[/quote]

Sorry, I don’t follow the logic of this argument. What I think you’re saying is that if you use the two criteria that I outlined:

1) Does this person bring enough added value to the organization to justify their pay.

2) Can this job be filled by an equally capable person for less pay and retirement.

everyone at every company is over paid.

Can you support that view with something? Or if I’ve misunderstood your argument, please clarify for me.

My personal experience at virtually every company I’ve worked at (or run) is that in the private sector you have to ask that question continually, or your company will not be competitive and will fail. (Hmmmm… maybe that explains why a lot of companies are failing lately)

While I’m not sure how you would prove the point that top managers are overcompensated, my experience is that most people running large organizations got there (and are making the 250k-350k salaries you mention or even more) not because no one else wanted or could do the job, but because they were good at working the politics and self promoting. Often the best in our companies do not receive the recognition or the pay they deserve while the manipulative do. Just my experience though.