The ODA’s 228 permanent staff also enjoyed an average bonus of £13,700 on top of their wages.

The figures show that 228 staff pulled in salaries of £15.25m plus “performance related pay” of £3.14m for the year 2009/10.

The average pay figures do not include wages paid to board members including chief executive David Higgins who earns £438,000 and construction director Howard Shiplee who received £377,000.

The report also shows that construction delivery partner CLM was paid £140m by the ODA during the 12 months which included a performance bonus of £47m.

One contractor told the Enquirer: “These figures are way above what people are earning in the normal construction market.

“It’s like the Olympics is operating in its own little world.”