Figures obtained by the Financial Times via a freedom of information request show the regulator has 241 members of staff on more than £100,000 a year – up from just 81 in March 2006.

The enforcement department saw the number of employees earning more than £100,000 jump to 35 from 10 four years ago – reflecting the regulator’s crackdown on breaches of its rules.

The regulator also awarded bonuses to 2785 members of staff – almost 85% of its workforce – with the largest payout being 35% of salary.

In the enforcement division, 194 people were granted a bonus of up to 15% of salary and 343 earned between 0% and 35% of their salary.

“The FSA needs to attract and retain high-quality people so needs to offer attractive packages, especially when competing with the private sector for specialist talent,” FSA spokesperson Kirsty Clay said.

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Hector Sants, the FSA’s chief executive, was paid £742,000 in 2009/10, up from £623,000 in the previous year. He gave his £130,000 bonus to charity.