Chief Executive Salary in Indianapolis, IN
Chief Executives in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median $256,320 a year — 20% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $179,799 take-home, or $14,983 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chief executive salary in Indianapolis, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$53,326
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$4,224
- Indiana income tax$7,532
- Take-home pay$179,799
Marginal rate: 32% federal + 2.95% state
Chief Executive pay by experience in Indianapolis, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,840 | $47.04 | $74,804 | $6,234 |
| 25th percentile | $117,000 | $56.25 | $87,718 | $7,310 |
| Median (50th) | $256,320+ | $123.23 | $179,799 | $14,983 |
| 75th percentile | $388,650+ | $186.85 | $259,280 | $21,607 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $511,000+ | $245.67 | $332,323 | $27,694 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $256,320 buys in Indianapolis, IN
Prices in Indianapolis, IN are 4.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chief executive's $179,799 take-home pay has the buying power of $187,886 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 Indianapolis, IN than nationally (location quotient 0.60), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for chief executives, adjusted for cost of living
Indianapolis, IN ranks #15 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 |
| 15 | Indianapolis, IN | $256,320 | $179,799 | $187,886 |
*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 Indianapolis, IN?
The median chief executive salary in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $256,320 a year, or about $123.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $117,000 and $239,200+.
What is a chief executive’s take-home pay in Indianapolis, IN?
On the median $256,320 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $179,799 a year ($14,983 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $7,532 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Indianapolis, IN a good place to work as a chief executive?
Pay here is 20% above the national median of $213,990. Local prices are 4.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $187,886 would in a typical U.S. city. Indianapolis, IN ranks #15 of 55 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chief executive afford rent in Indianapolis, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Indianapolis, IN is $1,242 a month ($1,454 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 Indianapolis, IN
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $159,640
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $155,230
- Financial Manager — $146,620
- Marketing Manager — $137,980
- Sales Manager — $137,410
- Human Resources Manager — $135,770
- Industrial Production Manager — $124,030
- Administrative Services Manager — $123,520
- General and Operations Manager — $120,480
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers — $111,390
- Construction Manager — $109,930
- Facilities Manager — $109,160