Chief Executive Salary in Philadelphia, PA
Chief Executives in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn a median $292,770 a year — 37% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $201,659 take-home, or $16,805 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chief executive salary in Philadelphia, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$65,604
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$5,080
- Pennsylvania income tax$8,988
- Take-home pay$201,659
Marginal rate: 35% federal + 3.07% state
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro spans Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Chief Executive pay by experience in Philadelphia, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $124,800 | $60.00 | $92,735 | $7,728 |
| 25th percentile | $181,280 | $87.15 | $129,606 | $10,800 |
| Median (50th) | $292,770+ | $140.75 | $201,659 | $16,805 |
| 75th percentile | $450,160+ | $216.42 | $295,432 | $24,619 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $546,180+ | $262.59 | $352,641 | $29,387 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $292,770 buys in Philadelphia, PA
Prices in Philadelphia, PA are 2.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chief executive's $201,659 take-home pay has the buying power of $196,637 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 about as common in Philadelphia, PA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.08).
Best-paying cities for chief executives, adjusted for cost of living
Philadelphia, PA ranks #14 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 |
| 14 | Philadelphia, PA | $292,770 | $201,659 | $196,637 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 55 metros →
Chief Executive salaries elsewhere in Pennsylvania
- Pittsburgh, PA — $216,060
- Harrisburg, PA — $209,140
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chief executive make in Philadelphia, PA?
The median chief executive salary in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area is $292,770 a year, or about $140.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $181,280 and $239,200+.
What is a chief executive’s take-home pay in Philadelphia, PA?
On the median $292,770 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $201,659 a year ($16,805 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $8,988 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Philadelphia, PA a good place to work as a chief executive?
Pay here is 37% above the national median of $213,990. Local prices are 2.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $196,637 would in a typical U.S. city. Philadelphia, PA ranks #14 of 55 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chief executive afford rent in Philadelphia, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Philadelphia, PA is $1,520 a month ($1,810 for two bedrooms) — 9% of a median chief executive’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $173,470
- Natural Sciences Manager — $172,900
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $171,140
- Financial Manager — $166,920
- Marketing Manager — $166,310
- Sales Manager — $156,500
- Purchasing Manager — $155,500
- Human Resources Manager — $154,490
- Advertising and Promotions Manager — $146,510
- Managers, All Other — $140,750
- Training and Development Manager — $135,450
- Public Relations Manager — $129,280