Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Executive in Virginia is $208,262 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $100.
However, a Chief Executive's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
Smart Recruiting
Chief Executive Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $231,025 | $19,252 | $4,443 | $111 |
| Average | $208,262 | $17,355 | $4,005 | $100 |
| 25th Percentile | $193,391 | $16,116 | $3,719 | $93 |
Confidential - Fredericksburg, VA
Confidential - Falls Church, VA
Confidential - Alexandria, VA
Confidential - Charlottesville, VA
A Chief 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 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Budgeting... Level Chief Executive | $116,711 |
| Budget Ma... Level Chief Executive | $131,301 |
| Budget Se... Level Chief Executive | $172,005 |
| Chief Exe... Level Chief Executive | $203,519 |
| VP of Bud... Level Chief Executive | $243,390 |
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 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:
For Chief Executive roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Chief Executive positions in Insurance or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chief Executive as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $291,566 | $140.0 | 40% |
| Biotechnology | $270,740 | $130.0 | 30% |
| Business Services | $260,327 | $125.0 | 25% |
| Chemicals | $249,914 | $120.0 | 20% |
| Construction | $239,501 | $115.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Chief 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 | $231,025 | $19,252 | $4,443 | $111 |
| Average | $208,262 | $17,355 | $4,005 | $100 |
| 25th Percentile | $193,391 | $16,116 | $3,719 | $93 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chief Executive job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Confidential
Alexandria, VA
Confidential | Alexandria, VA
President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO). About the Company. Nationally recognized association for HVAC contractors. Industry. Non-Profit Organization Man... more
7 Days Ago
Warren Whitney
Fredericksburg, VA
Warren Whitney | Fredericksburg, VA
Job Description. Job Description. THE OPPORTUNITY. The George Washington Foundation seeks a dynamic and visionary. President & Chief Executive Office. r to... more
6 Days Ago
USO
Arlington, VA
USO | Arlington, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Why join our team. With a mission that spans the globe, the USO provides a rewarding and fulfilling work environment. Our... more
3 Days Ago
Confidential
Alexandria, VA
Confidential | Alexandria, VA
President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO). About the Company. Nationally recognized association for HVAC contractors. Industry. Non-Profit Organization Man... more
21 Days Ago
Calyx Senior Living
FUQUAY-VARINA, NC
Calyx Senior Living | FUQUAY-VARINA, NC
At Calyx Living, we blend luxuries with amenities to exceed expectations for senior living. Our design offers contemporary and spacious living areas of ind... more
8 Days Ago
Cory Executive Recruiting
HOUSTON, TX
Cory Executive Recruiting | HOUSTON, TX
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY: Senior Business Development Executive LOCATION: Remote with travel CORY is hiring a Senior Business Development Executive for a natio... more
5 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
