A NEW ASSOCIATED PRESS calculation shows just how high compensation for America’s top chief executives has skyrocketed, leaving them with paychecks that dwarf those of their subordinates and even pro athletes and movie stars.

CEOs of companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 that filed proxy information in the first half of this year received a combined $4.16 billion in 2006, according to AP’s formula. Half of the executives earned more than $8.3 million-and some earned far, far more.