Though Outnumbered, Female CEOs Earn More Than Male Chiefs

Article here. Excerpt:

'Women in command of America's biggest businesses are reaping rich rewards.

In an unusual reversal of the gender pay gap, female chief executives at some of the largest U.S. companies repeatedly outearn their male counterparts. Last year, 21 female CEOs received a median compensation package of $13.8 million, compared with the $11.6 million median for 382 male chiefs, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of S&P 500 leaders who held the job a full year.

Women in the corner office at the biggest American firms made more money than men in six of the past seven years, though the gap has narrowed since 2014. The trend reflects strong performances by S&P 500 businesses run by women -- and the fact that superstar women tend to land such top jobs, according to executive-pay and leadership experts.

"Boards don't want to shortchange their female CEO in today's environment, when pay equality is such an issue," said Robin Ferracone, head of Farient Advisors LLC, which advises board compensation committees. So, they "err on the side of being generous."'