Corporate execs earn $10,000,000 to $100,000,000+ to run big companies. Even first year associates (fresh law graduates frequently with no professional experience) starting salary is $160,000/year and rises steadily over the years. U.S. Senators and Congressmen are paid $174,000/year. You get what you pay for.

BTW. I am not at all advocating that Congress should get pay increases, not at all. I am pointing out that the smartest generally go where the money is. Congress is not getting our best people.