The highest-paid executives in America had a 58.8% increase in their average annual cash bonus and were paid 38.21% more total cash compensation, according to Economic Research Institute and CareerJournal.com. The figures are based on year-to-date reporting for 2006 as compared to compensation levels reported year-to-date in 2005 for the same period. The average annual cash bonus was $3,773,715, compared to third period year 2005 cash bonus levels of $2,375,615. The August 2006 Index indicates that while base salaries decreased slightly, bonuses were up sharply resulting in an average total cash compensation per executive of $5,049,623. The previous yearly high of $3,683,131 total cash compensation was set in 2001 prior to 9/11.