I'm an expert in corporate finance and compensation, and I've been closely following the trends in executive pay for several years. When it comes to the CEO of a company as large and influential as Walmart, the topic of compensation is always of great interest.

The CEO of Walmart, like many other top executives, receives compensation in a variety of forms. This can include base salary, bonuses, stock options, and other forms of deferred compensation. The total compensation package can be quite complex and is often subject to change based on the company's performance and various other factors.

According to the information you provided, it seems that in 2010, Walmart's CEO, Michael Duke, had a total compensation package that was valued at approximately $35 million. If we were to convert that annual salary into an hourly wage, as Ed Smith did, it would indeed work out to an impressive figure. However, it's important to note that this calculation is a simplification and doesn't take into account the various components of the compensation package.

The base salary for a CEO is just one part of the equation. Bonuses, which can be tied to the company's performance, can significantly increase the total compensation. Stock options and other forms of equity compensation can also be quite substantial, especially if the company's stock price performs well.

Moreover, executive compensation is not static. It can vary from year to year based on a variety of factors, including changes in the company's financial performance, changes in the CEO's role or responsibilities, and broader market trends in executive pay.

It's also worth noting that the compensation of a CEO can be a contentious issue. Critics argue that high executive pay can contribute to income inequality and may not always be justified by the CEO's performance. On the other hand, proponents of high executive pay argue that it is necessary to attract and retain top talent and that it can be an effective way to align the interests of the CEO with those of the company's shareholders.

In conclusion, while the specific figures for the CEO of Walmart's compensation can vary, it's clear that the role comes with significant financial rewards. Understanding the full picture of executive compensation requires looking beyond just the base salary and considering the entire compensation package, including bonuses, stock options, and other forms of compensation.

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By Ed Smith's math, the CEO of Walmart earns more in an hour than his employees will earn in a year. Smith, an alderman in Chicago, presented posters at a city council meeting showing that Walmart CEO Michael Duke's $35 million salary, when converted to an hourly wage, worked out to $16,826.92.Jul 2, 2010read more >>