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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Financial Executive in California is $483,680 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $233.
However, a Chief Financial Executive's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Chief Financial Executive Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $541,400 | $45,117 | $10,412 | $260 |
| Average | $483,680 | $40,307 | $9,302 | $233 |
| 25th Percentile | $432,040 | $36,003 | $8,308 | $208 |
Confidential - Los Angeles, CA
Aperto Property Management, Inc. - Irvine, CA
Confidential - Bakersfield, CA
Confidential - San Francisco, CA
A Chief Financial Executive'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 Chief Financial Executive'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Finance Policy and Operations Senior Manager | 5+ years | $185,311 |
| Finance Policy and Operations Director | 5+ years | $224,560 |
| VP of Finance Policy and Operations | 5+ years | $276,089 |
| SVP of Finance Policy and Operations | 5+ years | $327,653 |
| Chief Financial Executive | 5+ years | $483,675 |
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 Chief Financial Executives. 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:
Chief Financial Executive salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $541,452. While startup companies pay approximate $458,056.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $458,056 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $484,448 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $522,868 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $541,452 |
For Chief Financial Executive 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, Chief Financial Executive positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chief Financial Executive as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $677,152 | $326.0 | 40% |
| Financial Services | $628,784 | $302.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $604,600 | $291.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $580,416 | $279.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Chief Financial Executive'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 | $541,400 | $45,117 | $10,412 | $260 |
| Average | $483,680 | $40,307 | $9,302 | $233 |
| 25th Percentile | $432,040 | $36,003 | $8,308 | $208 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chief Financial Executive job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Confidential
Chula Vista, CA
Confidential | Chula Vista, CA
Chief Financial Officer (CFO). About the Company. Growth-oriented consumer products company in distribution, retail, and e-commerce. Industry. Consumer Goo... more
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Los Angeles, CA
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Fresno, CA
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Chief Financial Officer (CFO). About the Company. Organization seeking strategic financial leadership, compliance oversight, and grant accounting support. ... more
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Los Angeles, CA
Confidential | Los Angeles, CA
Chief Financial Officer (CFO). About the Company. Large cancer research & treatment center. Industry. Hospital & Health Care. Type. Non Profit. Founded. 18... more
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Confidential
Los Angeles, CA
Confidential | Los Angeles, CA
Chief Financial Officer (CFO). About the Company. Connects investors and allocators through invite-only special events. Industry. Financial Services. Type.... more
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Confidential
San Francisco, CA
Confidential | San Francisco, CA
Chief Financial Officer (CFO). About the Company. Online retailer of natural healthy cleaning products that are environmentally-friendly. Industry. Interne... more
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