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Chief Executive Officer Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Executive Officer in the United States is $730,190 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $351.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $900,166
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $649,053 to $819,162
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $575,182
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Chief Executive Officer Salaries

A Chief Executive 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 Executive Officer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chief Executive 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $680,539
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $687,805
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $697,493
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $712,025
  • Expert (over 8 years): $730,190
Levels Salary
Entry Level Chief Executive Officer$680,539
Intermediate Level Chief Executive Officer$687,805
Senior Level Chief Executive Officer$697,493
Specialist Level Chief Executive Officer$712,025
Expert Level Chief Executive Officer$730,190
View as Graph

How Do Chief Executive 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 Executive Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $808,466.
  • California: $805,400.
  • Massachusetts: $794,666.

Top Paying Cities for Chief Executive 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: $920,989
  • San Francisco: $910,905
  • Oakland: $891,708

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 16.74% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Patient Care (Mentioned in 1.2% Job Postings): Patient care refers to the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of physical and mental well-being through services offered by health professionals.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 16.74%
Patient Care 1.2%
PowerPoint 1%
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 Executive Officer's salary.

  • Business Administration: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Change Management: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Business Administration $832,417
14%
Change Management $825,115
13%
Innovation $810,511
11%
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Chief Executive Officer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chief Executive Officer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $816,018. While startup companies pay approximate $690,268.

Chief Executive Officer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $690,268
Growth Stage 51~500 $730,027
Established 501~5000 $787,969
Enterprise 5000+ $816,018

Chief Executive Officer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chief Executive Officer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Chief Executive Officer positions in Telecom or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chief Executive Officer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Chief Executive Officer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$1,095,285$527.050%

How Education impacts a Chief Executive Officer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chief Executive 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 Executive Officer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $792,149 and $917,171.

Chief Executive Officer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chief Executive Officer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 6.8%
Associates 4.6%
Bachelors 36.9%
Masters 40.3%
Doctorate 10.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Chief Executive 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
$649,053
Average $730,190/year
$819,162
$54,088
Average $60,849/month
$68,264
$12,482
Average $14,042/week
$15,753
$312
Average $351/hour
$394
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $819,162 $68,264 $15,753 $394
Average $730,190 $60,849 $14,042 $351
25th Percentile $649,053 $54,088 $12,482 $312

Most common benefits for Chief Executive Officer

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

Common company salaries for Chief Executive Officer

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

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FAQ about Chief Executive Officer

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

A Chief Executive 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 Executive Officer earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chief Executive Officer is $920,989.

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

The highest pay for Chief Executive Officer is $900,166.

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

The lowest pay for Chief Executive Officer is $575,182.

4. What are the responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer?

Responsible for an organization's short and long-term profitability and growth. Defines and executes the company's vision, mission, and long-term goals. Organizes leadership and staff to meet strategic goals. Collaborates with C-suite executives to provide strategic guidance and technical oversight to drive business efficiencies and competitive advantages. Ensures appropriate governance and controls to mitigate risks and protect the organization. Prepares and presents summary reports and technical presentations to represent the organization to investors, board members, and government agencies. May require an advanced degree. Typically reports to board of directors. Top level management. Aligns the company's long-term vision with actionable plans. Responsible for building relationships with key stakeholders, including the board of directors, investors, partners, and regulators. Provides overall vision, direction, and leadership for an organization. Develops organizational strategic initiatives and guides business operations. Defines key metrics and sets KPIs for organization. Typically requires extensive leadership experience in senior management or executive roles. Has extensive industry and/or operational knowledge. Past leadership of a company or business unit, including overall P&L responsibility.

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Chief Executive Officer roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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