How much should companies pay their best people?

Most of us agree that there are people in every field who exceed others, thanks to their talents and abilities. However, when it comes to the question of money, public opinion strongly opposes the fact that some people have much higher salaries than others. It's especially evident when we compare the incomes of people of similar age with similar experience in similar roles. But is it realistic for companies to attract and retain the best people in the field without offering extra money for their talent?