As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a CAO in Virginia is $436,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $210.
However, a CAO's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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CAO Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $467,600 | $38,967 | $8,992 | $225 |
| Average | $436,300 | $36,358 | $8,390 | $210 |
| 25th Percentile | $391,700 | $32,642 | $7,533 | $188 |
Confidential - Richmond, VA
Tennessee Society of Association Executives - Arlington, VA
New England Society of Association Executives - Arlington, VA
KENTUCKY SOCIETY OF ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES INC - Arlington, VA
A CAO's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a CAO's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Residency Program Administrator | 2-4 years | $54,832 |
| GME Director | 4+ years | $133,315 |
| Top GME and DIO Executive | 4+ years | $271,152 |
| CAO | 4+ years | $436,279 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract CAOs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
CAO salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $463,385. While startup companies pay approximate $394,675.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $394,675 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $416,674 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $448,255 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $463,385 |
For CAO roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, CAO positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view CAO as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $523,560 | $252.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a CAO's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $467,600 | $38,967 | $8,992 | $225 |
| Average | $436,300 | $36,358 | $8,390 | $210 |
| 25th Percentile | $391,700 | $32,642 | $7,533 | $188 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current CAO job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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