The median salary for the largest charities has broken the £100,000 mark, with organisations employing over 1,000 staff now paying chief executives a median salary of £103,000, according to Acevo.

Acevo’s 2007 pay survey also found that, across the board, those earning less than £50,000 a year had dropped from 53% in 2006 to 35% this year.

Acevo’s chief executive Stephen Bubb said: “These figures are good news for the sector. Increasing salary levels are a good indicator that the professionalism and quality of our leadership is being recognised.”

However, overall in the sector, the salary median for women has decreased by 2.8% while that of men has risen by 3.9%, the survey found. Only women in the top two bands of turnover (£15-£25 million and £25-£100 million) were found on average to be paid more than their male counterparts.

Bubb added: “We mustn’t become complacent; the story says we still have a way to go. The growing gender gap in chief executive salaries is a worrying trend which the sector needs to address.”

The full survey entitled The View From Here - Pay Survey 07/08 can be purchased for £75. visit the publications section at www.acevo.org.uk