In fact, many former CxO's now can't find work, because quite simply they should have never had a CxO position in the first place this is most of the startup/internet industry from 95 on. In larger corps, they also had booms, but are locking down spending to more tranditional ways..
I still don't think you are going to see "equity" as some people want, but the 50% a year increases are over. That doesn't mean a company will not pay big bucks to bring in a competent and proven Exec if they desperately need it... but the free pass is over.
I hope so. I also hope the obfuscatory conglomerate-then divest cycle ends. So many CEOs screw things up, then get rewards for "un-screwing." Nice work if you can get it. I could never believe some of the P/Es people were buying either. parsy.