Chief Executive Salary
Chief Executives earn a median $213,990 a year nationally. Management Occupations
U.S. median
$213,990
$102.88 per hour
Range
$75,700 – $239,200+
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
204,350
across the U.S.
▲3.7%
Pay trend: The median for chief executives in the U.S. rose from $206,420 (May 2024) to $213,990 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 1.3%.
What chief executives do
Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.2% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 19,100
- Self-employed
- 27%
Employment of chief executives is projected to grow 3.2% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 19,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Chief Executive take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$159,231
per year · effective tax rate 25.6%
$13,269Monthly
$6,635Twice a month
$6,124Every 2 weeks
$76.55Hourly
- Federal income tax$40,092
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$3,229
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$159,231
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,700 | $36.39 | $62,085 |
| 25th percentile | $129,540 | $62.28 | $99,807 |
| Median (50th) | $213,990 | $102.88 | $159,231 |
| 75th percentile | $356,200+ | $171.25 | $250,386 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $507,730+ | $244.10 | $345,320 |
Best cities for chief executives (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas, TX | $239,200+ | $227,744 | $220,918 | 2,580 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $239,200+ | $226,413 | $218,556 | 3,610 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $239,200+ | $201,659 | $196,637 | 4,120 |
| 4 | Atlanta, GA | $239,200+ | $186,336 | $186,228 | 2,350 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $239,200+ | $198,593 | $176,428 | 7,180 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $239,200+ | $181,719 | $157,179 | 5,190 |
| 7 | San Diego, CA | $238,440 | $154,548 | $138,128 | 2,710 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $209,980 | $142,627 | $136,066 | 4,500 |
| 9 | Los Angeles, CA | $234,290 | $152,263 | $134,075 | 10,800 |
| 10 | Sacramento, CA | $169,770 | $113,538 | $106,438 | 3,680 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $138,900 | $102,940 | $99,636 | 3,140 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Chicago, IL — $239,200+
- Dallas, TX — $239,200+
- New York, NY — $239,200+
- Philadelphia, PA — $239,200+
- San Francisco, CA — $239,200+
- Atlanta, GA — $239,200+
- San Diego, CA — $238,440
- Los Angeles, CA — $234,290
- Minneapolis, MN — $209,980
- Sacramento, CA — $169,770
- Phoenix, AZ — $138,900
Chief Executive salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $239,200+ | — | $209,737 | $179,550 – $239,200+ | 910 |
| Washington | $239,200+ | — | $240,118 | $160,110 – $239,200+ | 3,170 |
| Illinois | $239,200+ | — | $218,889 | $133,170 – $239,200+ | 4,620 |
| North Carolina | $239,200+ | — | $212,098 | $114,210 – $239,200+ | 1,930 |
| Virginia | $239,200+ | — | $204,852 | $130,000 – $239,200+ | 4,870 |
| New Jersey | $239,200+ | — | $204,132 | $173,560 – $239,200+ | 2,430 |
| Connecticut | $239,200+ | — | $196,041 | $156,680 – $239,200+ | 1,660 |
| Hawaii | $239,200+ | — | $182,598 | $100,030 – $239,200+ | 470 |
| South Dakota | $239,200+ | — | $203,211 | $175,590 – $239,200+ | 510 |
| New York | $239,200+ | — | $173,912 | $140,410 – $239,200+ | 8,430 |
| Texas | $239,200+ | — | $188,336 | $121,130 – $239,200+ | 8,780 |
| Michigan | $239,200+ | — | $176,222 | $104,010 – $239,200+ | 4,950 |
| Indiana | $239,200+ | — | $178,457 | $97,340 – $239,200+ | 1,820 |
| Maryland | $239,200+ | — | $169,976 | $139,990 – $239,200+ | 3,180 |
| Rhode Island | $235,360 | +11.1% | $163,591 | $113,970 – $239,200+ | 460 |
| Pennsylvania | $232,560 | +5.5% | $164,593 | $118,810 – $239,200+ | 8,850 |
| California | $218,600 | −0.9% | $143,626 | $85,790 – $239,200+ | 34,700 |
| Nebraska | $214,680 | +4.2% | $150,850 | $107,200 – $239,200+ | 2,510 |
| Colorado | $213,370 | +9.5% | $150,094 | $88,400 – $239,200+ | — |
| Iowa | $211,190 | +18.3% | $149,795 | $86,090 – $239,200+ | 3,050 |
| Wisconsin | $208,350 | −0.4% | $145,415 | $103,560 – $239,200+ | — |
| Georgia | $208,180 | +3.2% | $144,770 | $57,290 – $239,200+ | 4,080 |
| Delaware | $199,990 | +5.0% | $137,061 | $119,990 – $239,200+ | 390 |
| Tennessee | $198,830 | +14.4% | $148,055 | $64,520 – $239,200+ | 4,700 |
| Minnesota | $195,670 | +0.8% | $133,172 | $92,540 – $239,200+ | 6,740 |
| Montana | $182,340 | −6.2% | $126,954 | $73,970 – $239,200+ | 670 |
| Kentucky | $179,530 | +22.4% | $127,809 | $72,800 – $239,200+ | 2,070 |
| Idaho | $177,210 | +2.4% | $124,105 | $103,360 – $239,200+ | 2,920 |
| Ohio | $176,440 | −15.4% | $127,793 | $79,390 – $239,200+ | 4,470 |
| Vermont | $175,070 | +5.3% | $121,408 | $108,300 – $239,200+ | 360 |
| Missouri | $172,320 | +8.4% | $121,885 | $75,040 – $239,200+ | 2,550 |
| Utah | $171,880 | +4.8% | $121,977 | $72,480 – $239,200+ | 3,140 |
| South Carolina | $168,840 | −7.1% | $117,695 | $49,760 – $239,200+ | 1,740 |
| New Hampshire | $168,590 | +21.4% | $126,497 | $103,990 – $239,200+ | — |
| Alaska | $166,710 | −1.2% | $125,212 | $75,870 – $239,200+ | 640 |
| Alabama | $166,420 | +1.2% | $116,958 | $101,670 – $239,200+ | 810 |
| North Dakota | $164,560 | −3.9% | $121,793 | $104,590 – $239,200+ | 380 |
| Oklahoma | $163,790 | +10.0% | $116,391 | $68,630 – $239,200+ | 2,390 |
| Kansas | $158,100 | +2.2% | $111,305 | $51,120 – $239,200+ | 1,960 |
| West Virginia | $151,950 | −16.5% | $108,735 | $72,160 – $239,200+ | 1,700 |
| Nevada | $149,770 | — | $113,634 | $58,670 – $239,200+ | 1,370 |
| Wyoming | $147,940 | +5.7% | $112,383 | $34,690 – $239,200+ | 60 |
| Mississippi | $139,250 | +11.1% | $101,605 | $101,930 – $239,200+ | 310 |
| Maine | $138,770 | +15.5% | $97,689 | $73,680 – $239,200+ | 1,580 |
| New Mexico | $123,500 | −17.0% | $90,958 | $43,710 – $239,200+ | 100 |
| Arkansas | $119,990 | −1.0% | $88,776 | $49,830 – $239,200+ | 3,550 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Manager | $105,770 | Bachelor's degree | +5.0% |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree | +15.8% |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $171,270 | Bachelor's degree | +5.5% |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $167,220 | Bachelor's degree | +8.2% |
| Marketing Manager | $166,790 | Bachelor's degree | +6.9% |
| Financial Manager | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree | +9.7% |
| Human Resources Manager | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree | +5.5% |
| Compensation and Benefits Manager | $149,230 | Bachelor's degree | +1.1% |
| Sales Manager | $148,270 | Bachelor's degree | +4.5% |
| Purchasing Manager | $148,080 | Bachelor's degree | +4.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chief executive make?
The national median salary for chief executives is $213,990 a year ($102.88 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $75,700 and the top 10% earn over $239,200+. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays chief executives the most?
Oregon has the highest median pay at $239,200+. After taxes and local prices, Dallas, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many chief executives are there in the U.S.?
About 204,350 people work as chief executives nationwide.