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Chief Academic Officer Salary in the United States

How much does a Chief Academic Officer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Academic Officer in the United States is $209,178 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $101.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $314,495
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $188,288 to $264,305
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $169,269
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Chief Academic Officer Salaries

A Chief Academic Officer'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 Chief Academic Officer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chief Academic Officer'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:

  • Associate Chief Academic Officer (0-0 years): $140,498
  • Chief Academic Officer (0-0 years): $209,178
  • University Vice President (0-0 years): $252,267
  • University President (0-0 years): $306,976
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Associate Chief Academic Officer0-0 years$140,498
Chief Academic Officer0-0 years$209,178
University Vice President0-0 years$252,267
University President0-0 years$306,976
View as Graph

How Do Chief Academic Officer 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 Chief Academic Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $231,602.
  • California: $230,723.
  • Massachusetts: $227,648.

Top Paying Cities for Chief Academic Officers

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: $263,836
  • San Francisco: $260,947
  • Oakland: $255,448

What Skills Can Increase a Chief Academic Officer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 14.53% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Chemistry (Mentioned in 2.98% Job Postings): Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the composition, structure, and properties of substances of which matter is composed.
  • Health Sciences (Mentioned in 1.52% Job Postings): Health science is the application of science to health including the study of medicine, nutrition, and other health-related topics.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 14.53%
Chemistry 2.98%
Health Sciences 1.52%
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 Chief Academic Officer's salary.

  • Mechanical Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Cybersecurity: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Entrepreneurship: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Mechanical Engineering $244,738
17%
Cybersecurity $228,004
9%
Entrepreneurship $225,912
8%
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Chief Academic Officer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chief Academic Officer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $222,019. While startup companies pay approximate $189,070.

Chief Academic Officer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $189,070
Growth Stage 51~500 $199,634
Established 501~5000 $214,710
Enterprise 5000+ $222,019

Chief Academic Officer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chief Academic Officer 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, Chief Academic Officer positions in EDU, Government & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Chief Academic Officer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Chief Academic Officer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$251,014$121.020%

How Education impacts a Chief Academic Officer's Salary?

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

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Chief Academic Officer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $0 and $0.

Chief Academic Officer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chief Academic Officer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 9.3%
High School 25.6%
Associates 65.1%
Bachelors 9.3%
Masters 25.6%
Doctorate 65.1%
View as Graph

Chief Academic Officer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chief Academic Officer'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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$188,288
Average $209,178/year
$264,305
$15,691
Average $17,432/month
$22,025
$3,621
Average $4,023/week
$5,083
$91
Average $101/hour
$127
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $264,305 $22,025 $5,083 $127
Average $209,178 $17,432 $4,023 $101
25th Percentile $188,288 $15,691 $3,621 $91

Chief Academic Officer Salary Growth & Career Path

Chief Academic Officer

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Chief Academic Officer, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
University Vice President $252,267 21%
Provost $170,033 -19%

Most common benefits for Chief Academic Officer

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

Common company salaries for Chief Academic Officer

Here are companies hiring for Chief Academic Officer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Chief Academic Officer

1. Where can a Chief Academic Officer earn the most?

A Chief Academic Officer's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Chief Academic Officer earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chief Academic Officer is $263,836.

2. What is the highest pay for Chief Academic Officer?

The highest pay for Chief Academic Officer is $314,495.

3. What is the lowest pay for Chief Academic Officer?

The lowest pay for Chief Academic Officer is $169,269.

4. What are the responsibilities of Chief Academic Officer?

Responsible for shaping and implementing the institution's academic vision and priorities. Develops, directs, and oversees the academic program of a university/college. Leads policy development in student learning, academic programs, teaching, research, and related student success areas. Requires an advanced degree. Typically reports to college president. Manages a departmental function within a broader corporate function. Develops major goals to support broad functional objectives. Approves policies developed within various sub-functions and departments. Typically requires 8+ years of managerial experience. Comprehensive knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Chief Academic Officer?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Chief Academic Officer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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