What are the main factors that influence a CFO's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A CFO's salary?

A CFO's salary grows with experience: a Finance Policy and Operations Senior Manager (5+ years)earns $168,019, a Finance Policy and Operations Director (5+ years)earns $203,624, a VP of Finance Policy and Operations (5+ years)earns $250,349, an SVP of Finance Policy and Operations (5+ years)earns $297,124, a CFO (5+ years)earns $438,708,

What are the highest paying states for a CFO?

CFO salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for CFO roles are District of Columbia $485,800, California $483,900, Massachusetts $477,500. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of CFO roles make?

Salaries for CFO level roles vary by specialization: CFO assistant: $457,595; Chief Financial Officer: $438,708; CFO - Physician Practice: $365,100; Chief Financial Officer - Physician Practice: $365,018; Hospital CFO: $160,067.

How do different companies affect a CFO's salary?

Company size, industry, and compensation structure create significant salary variations for CFO roles. Large, established industry leaders like C R Bard Inc ($128,509) and Henry Schein Canada ($124,697) offer base salaries 35-40% above the national average. In contrast, smaller firms or startups may offer closer to $82,041.

CFO Salary in the United States

How much does a CFO make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a CFO in the United States is $438,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $211.

However, a CFO's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $538,716
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $392,100 to $491,100
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $349,582

10% $349,582

50% (Median) $438,800

90% $538,716

CFO Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$491,100	$40,925	$9,444	$236
Average	$438,800	$36,567	$8,438	$211
25th Percentile	$392,100	$32,675	$7,540	$189

Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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Key Factors That Influence CFO Salaries

A CFO'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects CFO Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CFO'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:

Finance Policy and Operations Senior Manager (5+ years): $168,019
Finance Policy and Operations Director (5+ years): $203,624
VP of Finance Policy and Operations (5+ years): $250,349
SVP of Finance Policy and Operations (5+ years): $297,124
CFO (5+ years): $438,708

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Finance Policy and Operations Senior Manager	5+ years	$168,019
Finance Policy and Operations Director	5+ years	$203,624
VP of Finance Policy and Operations	5+ years	$250,349
SVP of Finance Policy and Operations	5+ years	$297,124
CFO	5+ years	$438,708

View as Graph

How Do CFO Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 CFOs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $485,800.
California: $483,900.
Massachusetts: $477,500.

District of Columbia $485,800 California $483,900 Massachusetts $477,500 Washington $475,700 New Jersey $475,600 Alaska $475,000 Connecticut $468,900 New York $466,400

Hawaii $458,600 Rhode Island $454,900 Maryland $452,400 Minnesota $449,000 Colorado $447,700 Illinois $447,200 Oregon $445,600 Delaware $444,300

New Hampshire $443,600 Virginia $441,800 Pennsylvania $436,800 Nevada $434,200 North Dakota $433,400 Michigan $432,100 Wisconsin $431,600 Vermont $430,600

Texas $428,000 Maine $427,800 Arizona $427,500 Ohio $427,200 Georgia $423,200 Indiana $421,200 Wyoming $420,800 Utah $420,200

Iowa $419,900 Kansas $417,800 Louisiana $417,200 North Carolina $417,000 Missouri $416,900 Florida $415,200 Montana $414,200 Nebraska $413,400

Kentucky $412,900 South Carolina $411,100 Tennessee $410,000 Idaho $409,600 New Mexico $406,400 Oklahoma $405,700 Alabama $403,100 South Dakota $398,700

Arkansas $396,400 West Virginia $395,100 Mississippi $391,300

Top Paying Cities for CFOs

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:

San Jose: $553,400
San Francisco: $547,300
Oakland: $535,800

San Jose, CA $553,400

San Francisco, CA $547,300

Oakland, CA $535,800

New York, NY $505,200

Paramus, NJ $499,000

Queens Village, NY $499,000

Passaic, NJ $498,600

Bergenfield, NJ $498,600

Stamford, CT $497,600

Huntington, NY $497,400

Newark, NJ $494,200

Bridgeport, CT $493,200

Vallejo, CA $492,400

New Brunswick, NJ $492,200

Petaluma, CA $491,900

Middlesex, NJ $491,100

Somerset, NJ $490,800

Santa Cruz, CA $490,200

Boston, MA $487,500

Monterey, CA $486,000

Seattle, WA $485,000

Santa Rosa, CA $484,900

Los Angeles, CA $484,800

Juneau, AK $483,600

Washington, DC $483,200

Orange, CA $481,600

Santa Ana, CA $480,400

Long Beach, CA $480,000

Anaheim, CA $479,900

Anchorage, AK $479,700

Santa Maria, CA $478,400

Everett, WA $478,300

Danbury, CT $476,700

Bremerton, WA $476,100

Tacoma, WA $474,600

New Suffolk, NY $474,500

Sacramento, CA $474,400

Santa Barbara, CA $473,900

Trenton, NJ $473,500

San Diego, CA $473,500

Brockton, MA $473,000

Fairbanks, AK $471,900

Lompoc, CA $470,800

Lowell, MA $470,400

Ventura, CA $470,300

Nashua, NH $470,300

Stockton, CA $470,200

Modesto, CA $467,000

Poughkeepsie, NY $466,000

Kennewick, WA $465,200

Olympia, WA $465,200

New Haven, CT $465,000

Lawrence, MA $463,500

Hartford, CT $463,000

Riverside, CA $462,900

New Bedford, MA $462,500

Richland, WA $462,500

Bakersfield, CA $461,900

Atlantic City, NJ $461,700

San Bernardino, CA $461,700

New Britain, CT $461,700

New London, CT $461,500

Norwich, CT $461,400

Portsmouth, NH $461,300

Boulder, CO $460,300

Portland, OR $459,700

Worcester, MA $459,700

Minneapolis, MN $458,300

Philadelphia, PA $457,700

Honolulu, HI $456,300

Saint Paul, MN $456,100

Vineland, NJ $456,000

Providence, RI $454,700

Chicago, IL $453,400

Bellingham, WA $452,900

Springfield, MA $452,500

Baltimore, MD $452,400

Chico, CA $451,300

Pittsfield, MA $450,100

Manchester, NH $449,300

Spokane, WA $447,400

Denver, CO $447,300

Albany, NY $445,300

Troy, NY $445,100

Nassau, NY $444,600

Schenectady, NY $444,200

Wilmington, DE $443,800

Burlington, VT $443,200

Salem, OR $443,000

Portland, ME $441,700

Yakima, WA $441,200

Rochester, MN $439,900

Reno, NV $439,600

Fresno, CA $439,600

Milwaukee, WI $439,200

Detroit, MI $438,800

Ann Arbor, MI $438,700

Allentown, PA $438,700

Colorado Springs, CO $437,900

Syracuse, NY $437,700

Carson City, NV $437,700

Houston, TX $437,100

Eugene, OR $436,900

Gary, IN $436,300

Springfield, OR $436,000

Bismarck, ND $435,900

Galveston, TX $435,600

Medford, OR $434,900

Fort Collins, CO $434,800

Concord, NH $434,500

Austin, TX $434,400

Mesa, AZ $433,500

Reading, PA $433,400

Phoenix, AZ $433,400

Dallas, TX $433,300

Saint Cloud, MN $432,900

Madison, WI $432,300

Utica, NY $431,100

Rochester, NY $430,400

Des Moines, IA $430,300

Raleigh, NC $430,300

Atlanta, GA $429,600

Battle Creek, MI $429,500

Salt Lake City, UT $429,400

Lancaster, PA $428,700

Harrisburg, PA $428,100

Kansas City, MO $427,700

Champaign, IL $427,600

Kansas City, KS $427,600

Fort Worth, TX $427,500

Columbus, OH $427,500

Boca Raton, FL $427,400

Pittsburgh, PA $427,200

Richmond, VA $427,000

Indianapolis, IN $426,900

Cleveland, OH $426,900

Las Vegas, NV $426,300

Cincinnati, OH $426,300

Petersburg, VA $425,700

Huntsville, AL $425,000

Lansing, MI $424,700

Lebanon, PA $424,700

Pueblo, CO $424,600

Appleton, WI $424,500

Buffalo, NY $424,300

Dayton, OH $424,200

Racine, WI $424,100

Charlotte, NC $424,100

Saint Louis, MO $423,900

York, PA $423,700

Elkhart, IN $423,700

Gastonia, NC $423,600

Billings, MT $423,500

Beaumont, TX $423,400

Lorain, OH $423,300

Benton Harbor, MI $423,200

Toledo, OH $423,100

Binghamton, NY $422,900

Rock Hill, SC $422,800

Rockford, IL $422,600

Springfield, IL $422,400

Elyria, OH $422,400

Fargo, ND $422,400

Flagstaff, AZ $422,100

Fort Lauderdale, FL $421,800

Duluth, MN $421,600

Miami, FL $421,600

Cheyenne, WY $421,300

Grand Forks, ND $421,300

Bangor, ME $420,300

Cedar Rapids, IA $419,800

Durham, NC $419,600

Louisville, KY $419,600

Grand Rapids, MI $419,500

Hialeah, FL $419,500

Casper, WY $418,800

Scranton, PA $418,300

New Orleans, LA $418,200

Virginia Beach, VA $418,100

Akron, OH $417,900

Peoria, IL $417,300

Sarasota, FL $417,300

Nashville, TN $417,000

Omaha, NE $417,000

Green Bay, WI $417,000

Baton Rouge, LA $416,700

Charleston, SC $416,600

Jamestown, NY $416,400

Davenport, IA $416,400

Tucson, AZ $416,200

Saint Petersburg, FL $415,900

Tampa, FL $415,900

Evansville, IN $415,600

Port Arthur, TX $415,600

Bradenton, FL $415,400

Santa Fe, NM $414,600

Orlando, FL $413,800

Clearwater, FL $413,700

La Crosse, WI $412,800

Canton, OH $412,800

Albuquerque, NM $412,500

Newport News, VA $412,500

High Point, NC $412,300

Ogden, UT $412,200

Corpus Christi, TX $411,800

Norfolk, VA $411,600

Laramie, WY $411,600

Rock Island, IL $411,300

Saginaw, MI $411,200

Jacksonville, FL $411,200

Salisbury, NC $411,100

Boise, ID $411,000

Moline, IL $410,800

Fort Myers, FL $410,600

Memphis, TN $410,500

Tulsa, OK $410,300

Waterloo, IA $410,100

Spartanburg, SC $409,600

Lincoln, NE $409,400

Fort Wayne, IN $409,300

Provo, UT $409,300

Cedar Falls, IA $408,800

San Antonio, TX $408,600

Greensboro, NC $408,400

South Bend, IN $408,400

Savannah, GA $407,900

Birmingham, AL $407,700

Muskegon, MI $407,700

Winston Salem, NC $407,400

Lake Charles, LA $406,400

Anderson, IN $406,300

Lexington, KY $406,200

Augusta, GA $406,000

Greenville, SC $406,000

Lima, OH $405,700

Wichita, KS $405,600

Tuscaloosa, AL $405,600

Springfield, OH $405,200

Columbia, SC $405,200

Asheville, NC $404,500

Bloomington, IN $404,100

Knoxville, TN $402,600

Shreveport, LA $402,500

Wilmington, NC $402,000

Roanoke, VA $402,000

Topeka, KS $401,200

Frankfort, KY $401,100

Oklahoma City, OK $400,800

Chillicothe, OH $400,600

Longview, TX $400,600

Melbourne, FL $400,500

Sioux Falls, SD $399,800

Mobile, AL $399,800

Terre Haute, IN $399,600

Altoona, PA $399,400

Amarillo, TX $399,100

Killeen, TX $398,900

Fayetteville, AR $398,600

Chattanooga, TN $398,400

Sioux City, IA $398,000

Idaho Falls, ID $398,000

Lynchburg, VA $397,600

Gainesville, FL $397,000

Portsmouth, OH $396,800

Little Rock, AR $396,700

Lafayette, LA $396,600

Youngstown, OH $396,600

Daytona Beach, FL $396,300

Clarksville, TN $396,200

Pensacola, FL $396,200

Temple, TX $396,200

Hopkinsville, KY $394,900

Erie, PA $394,800

Florence, SC $394,600

Charleston, WV $393,900

Great Falls, MT $393,700

Macon, GA $393,100

Fayetteville, NC $393,000

Tallahassee, FL $393,000

Waco, TX $392,900

Helena, MT $392,600

Pine Bluff, AR $392,400

Vincennes, IN $391,900

Lubbock, TX $391,700

Alamogordo, NM $391,400

Twin Falls, ID $391,000

Rapid City, SD $390,900

Greenville, MS $390,100

Jackson, MS $390,100

Huntington, WV $390,100

Parkersburg, WV $389,600

Montgomery, AL $389,500

Wichita Falls, TX $389,100

Springfield, MO $389,100

Biloxi, MS $388,900

Monroe, LA $388,400

Johnstown, PA $388,100

Sumter, SC $388,000

Columbus, GA $387,900

Pascagoula, MS $387,100

Abilene, TX $387,100

Kingsport, TN $385,900

Albany, GA $385,900

Gulfport, MS $385,800

Alexandria, LA $384,400

Fort Smith, AR $383,300

El Paso, TX $382,100

Las Cruces, NM $380,100

Harlingen, TX $379,000

Pocatello, ID $378,900

Florence, AL $378,300

Brownsville, TX $378,300

Mcallen, TX $377,300

Dothan, AL $376,700

Columbus, MS $374,100

Altus, OK $372,100

Lawton, OK $371,200

Pierre, SD $369,700

What Skills Can Increase a CFO's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

Analysis (Mentioned in 5.52% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
General Ledger (Mentioned in 2.51% Job Postings): Creating and keeping track of business transactions and activities to monitor financial operations.
Accounting Software (Mentioned in 1.27% Job Postings): Accounting software makes it easier for business owners to manage financial procedures, performing financial tasks correctly and quickly.

Skills	Demand Percentage
Analysis	5.52%
General Ledger	2.51%
Accounting Software	1.27%

See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a CFO's salary.

Analytical Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.

Skill	Salary	Salary % Increase
Analytical Skills	$509,008	16%
Insight	$500,232	14%
Integrity	$495,844	13%

Get Latest Data

CFO Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

CFO salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $490,377. While startup companies pay approximate $414,809.

CFO Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$414,809
Growth Stage	51~500	$438,702
Established	501~5000	$473,522
Enterprise	5000+	$490,377

CFO Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CFO roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, CFO positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CFO as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CFO

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking	$614,320	$295.0	40%
Financial Services	$570,440	$274.0	30%
Internet	$548,500	$264.0	25%
Biotechnology	$526,560	$253.0	20%

How Education impacts a CFO's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many CFOs enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a CFO with a Bachelor's Degree is between $399,797 and $462,818).

CFO Salaries by Degree Level

$482,300
$470,500
$458,700
$447,000
$435,200
$423,400
$411,600
$399,800

Typical Education for CFO
Degree Level	% of user with this level of education
No Diploma	0.3%
High School	1.7%
Associates	1.6%
Bachelors	44.5%
Masters	50.0%
Doctorate	1.9%

View as Graph

CFO Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CFO'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.

$392,100

Average $438,800/year

$491,100

$32,675

Average $36,567/month

$40,925

$7,540

Average $8,438/week

$9,444

$189

Average $211/hour

$236

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$491,100	$40,925	$9,444	$236
Average	$438,800	$36,567	$8,438	$211
25th Percentile	$392,100	$32,675	$7,540	$189

Salary Trends for CFO

Salaries for a CFO can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $275,432 in 2023 to around $268,706 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of CFO salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of CFO Over Time

$???
$275,432
$273,356
$268,706
$???
$???

2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027

Year	Average Annual Salary
2022	View More
2023	$275,432
2024	$273,356
2025	$268,706
2026	View More
2027	View More

Most common benefits for CFO

Social Security
401 (k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for CFO

Here are companies hiring for CFO and their salaries, click below for more details.

C $128,509/per year

C R Bard Inc Biotechnology the United States

H $124,697/per year

Henry Schein Canada Biotechnology the United States

N $123,899/per year

Nordex Inc Biotechnology the United States

N $120,416/per year

Nipro Corp Biotechnology the United States

E $115,870/per year

Enovis Biotechnology the United States

A $114,553/per year

Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy Biotechnology the United States

M $112,110/per year

MiniMed Inc Biotechnology the United States

L $111,500/per year

Labcorp Drug Development Biotechnology the United States

L $110,229/per year

Life Technologies Corp Biotechnology the United States

Z $106,224/per year

Zimmer Biomet Biotechnology the United States

P $103,077/per year

Promontory Therapeutics Biotechnology the United States

S $102,181/per year

Steris PLC Biotechnology the United States

G $97,274/per year

Gavin Conferences Pty Ltd Biotechnology the United States

E $94,764/per year

Endeavor BioMedicines Biotechnology the United States

R $94,402/per year

Replay Holdings LLC Biotechnology the United States

P $94,235/per year

Pleno Inc Biotechnology the United States

S $93,666/per year

Simulaids Inc Biotechnology the United States

N $88,880/per year

NOIRLab/CAS Biotechnology the United States

O $86,468/per year

Onward Technology Biotechnology the United States

L $84,895/per year

LED Medical Diagnostics Inc Biotechnology the United States

E $84,682/per year

Eyeco Ltd Biotechnology the United States

P $84,523/per year

Paerosol Biotechnology the United States

I $83,525/per year

IONIQ Sciences Inc Biotechnology the United States

S $82,815/per year

Stateside PPE Biotechnology the United States

D $82,041/per year

Digi Bio Biotechnology the United States

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FAQ about CFO

1. What industry pays the highest salary for CFO?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for CFO roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. Can CFO make millions?

While some CFOs can earn millions, the typical salary range for CFOs is between $350,200 and $584,800. The median salary is approximately $456,800. High-profile CFOs may exceed these figures significantly, but the majority earn within this range.

3. How much does a CFO make for a $50 million company?

CFO salaries for a company with $50 million in revenue typically range from $350,200 to $584,800. The minimum salary is approximately $350,200, while the mid-range salary is around $456,800, and the maximum can reach up to $584,800, reflecting the increased responsibilities and expectations at this level.

4. Who gets paid more CEO or CFO?

Salaries for each position can vary based on factors like industry and experience. The average salary for a CFO ranges from $350,200 to $584,800, with a midpoint of $456,800. In comparison, the average salary for a CEO is around $128,843, indicating that CFOs generally earn more than CEOs.

5. Do CFOs make good money?

CFOs generally earn substantial salaries. The minimum salary is $350,200, with a mid-range salary of $456,800 and a maximum of $584,800. When bonuses are factored in, total compensation can be significantly higher, reflecting the critical role they play in an organization. Additional benefits often include 401(k) plans and matches.

6. Who is the youngest CFO?

Nolan Watson became the CFO of Silver Wheaton at age 26. Within a year, he was named the company's chief financial officer, making him the youngest-ever CFO of a New York Stock Exchange-listed company. CFO salaries typically range from $350,200 to $584,800, with a mid-salary of $456,800. This reflects the high level of responsibility and expertise required for the role.

7. Is CFO a stressful job?

As a C-Suite executive, the CFO holds significant responsibility, often leading to stress. With a salary range from $350,200 to $584,800, the role comes with high expectations and challenges. Today's CFO faces a broader and more unpredictable landscape than in the past, contributing to increased anxiety in the position.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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