Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Chief of Staff Salary in the United States

How much does a Chief of Staff make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief of Staff in the United States is $224,056 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $108.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $277,432
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $192,191 to $251,995
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $163,180
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Chief of Staff Salaries

A Chief of Staff'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 of Staff Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chief of Staff'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): $204,557
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $207,410
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $209,788
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $213,593
  • Expert (over 8 years): $218,349
Levels Salary
Entry Level Chief of Staff$204,557
Intermediate Level Chief of Staff$207,410
Senior Level Chief of Staff$209,788
Specialist Level Chief of Staff$213,593
Expert Level Chief of Staff$218,349
View as Graph

How Do Chief of Staff 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 of Stafves. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $248,075.
  • California: $247,134.
  • Massachusetts: $243,840.

Top Paying Cities for Chief of Stafves

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: $282,602
  • San Francisco: $279,508
  • Oakland: $273,617

What Skills Can Increase a Chief of Staff's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 13.52% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Business Operations (Mentioned in 1.07% Job Postings): The outcome of business operations is the harvesting of value from assets owned by a business. Assets can be either physical or intangible. An example of value derived from a physical asset, like a building, is rent. An example of value derived from an intangible asset, like an idea, is a royalty. The effort involved in "harvesting" this value is what constitutes business operations cycles.
  • Client Service (Mentioned in 1.02% Job Postings): Client services are the processes and interactions organizations and members of their staff have with their clients.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 13.52%
Business Operations 1.07%
Client Service 1.02%
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 of Staff's salary.

  • VMware: Can increase your salary by up to 31%.
  • Cadence: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Client Service: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
VMware $293,513
31%
Cadence $246,462
10%
Client Service $246,462
10%
Get Latest Data

Chief of Staff Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chief of Staff salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $250,392. While startup companies pay approximate $211,806.

Chief of Staff Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $211,806
Growth Stage 51~500 $224,006
Established 501~5000 $241,785
Enterprise 5000+ $250,392

Chief of Staff Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chief of Staff roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Chief of Staff positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chief of Staff as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chief of Staff

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$280,070$135.025%
Healthcare$268,867$129.020%
Internet$268,867$129.020%
Software & Networking$268,867$129.020%
Energy & Utilities$257,664$124.015%

How Education impacts a Chief of Staff's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chief of Staff 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 of Staff with a Bachelor's Degree is between $252,098 and $283,212.

Chief of Staff Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chief of Staff
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 7.3%
Associates 4.7%
Bachelors 40.1%
Masters 40.5%
Doctorate 6.5%
View as Graph

Chief of Staff Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chief of Staff'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
$192,191
Average $224,056/year
$251,995
$16,016
Average $18,671/month
$21,000
$3,696
Average $4,309/week
$4,846
$92
Average $108/hour
$121
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $251,995 $21,000 $4,846 $121
Average $224,056 $18,671 $4,309 $108
25th Percentile $192,191 $16,016 $3,696 $92

Chief of Staff Salary Growth & Career Path

Chief of Staff

Next Role

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Chief of Staff, 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
Chair and CEO $1,090,472 387%
Chief Executive Officer $730,190 226%

Most common benefits for Chief of Staff

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

Common company salaries for Chief of Staff

Here are companies hiring for Chief of Staff and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Chief of Staff Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chief of Staff job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Chief of Staff

1. Where can a Chief of Staff earn the most?

A Chief of Staff'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 of Staff earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chief of Staff is $282,602.

2. What is the highest pay for Chief of Staff?

The highest pay for Chief of Staff is $277,432.

3. What is the lowest pay for Chief of Staff?

The lowest pay for Chief of Staff is $163,180.

4. What are the responsibilities of Chief of Staff?

Plans and directs all administrative, financial, and operational activities for the organization's President, CEO, or other executive. Organizes and prioritizes critical issues and required information for the executive to facilitate efficient decision making. Acts as a point of contact or gatekeeper between top management and other stakeholders. Provides oversight and guidance to projects of high importance. May act as an advisor to the chief executive. May be responsible for the management of executive support staff. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Manages a business unit, division, or corporate function with major organizational impact. Establishes/implements overall direction and strategic initiatives for the given major function or line of business. Typically requires 10+ years of progressive leadership experience. Has extensive knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Chief of Staff?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Chief of Staff roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst