Chief Executive Salary in Charlotte, NC
Chief Executives in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $329,030 a year — 54% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $220,744 take-home, or $18,395 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chief executive salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$78,295
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$5,932
- North Carolina income tax$12,620
- Take-home pay$220,744
Marginal rate: 35% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Chief Executive pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $114,100 | $54.86 | $85,055 | $7,088 |
| 25th percentile | $185,400 | $89.13 | $131,154 | $10,929 |
| Median (50th) | $329,030+ | $158.19 | $220,744 | $18,395 |
| 75th percentile | $446,380+ | $214.61 | $289,582 | $24,132 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $599,990+ | $288.46 | $379,690 | $31,641 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $329,030 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chief executive's $220,744 take-home pay has the buying power of $226,758 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chief Executive jobs are less concentrated in Charlotte, NC than nationally (location quotient 0.41), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for chief executives, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #3 of 55 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $239,200+ | $259,032 | $233,083 |
| 2 | Bridgeport, CT | $239,200+ | $247,855 | $231,935 |
| 3 | Charlotte, NC | $239,200+ | $220,744 | $226,758 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $239,200+ | $227,744 | $220,918 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $239,200+ | $226,413 | $218,556 |
| 6 | Richmond, VA | $239,200+ | $213,626 | $218,302 |
| 7 | Des Moines, IA | $239,200+ | $199,056 | $217,070 |
| 8 | Portland, OR | $239,200+ | $227,767 | $216,055 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 55 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chief executive make in Charlotte, NC?
The median chief executive salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $329,030 a year, or about $158.19 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $185,400 and $239,200+.
What is a chief executive’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $329,030 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $220,744 a year ($18,395 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $12,620 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a chief executive?
Pay here is 54% above the national median of $213,990. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $226,758 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #3 of 55 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chief executive afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 8% of a median chief executive’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlotte, NC
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $176,840
- Natural Sciences Manager — $173,160
- Financial Manager — $172,760
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $169,960
- Marketing Manager — $166,200
- Sales Manager — $162,000
- Human Resources Manager — $158,930
- Managers, All Other — $156,020
- Purchasing Manager — $144,270
- Industrial Production Manager — $128,640
- Training and Development Manager — $127,110
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers — $118,100