The average salary for a chief executive in the United States is $258,900, but the range typically falls between $130,840 and >$239,200. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $124.47, with a range between $62.9 and >$115.00.
There are approximately 211,230 people employed as a chief executive in the United States. With California, Florida, New York employing the highest number of chief executives.The state with the best pay for a chief executive is California, with an average annual salary of $281,030, while Washington has the lowest average annual salary of $324,900.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| 25th Percentile | $130,840 | $62.9 |
| Median | $206,680 | $99.37 |
| 75th Percentile | >$239,200 | >$115.00 |
| 90th Percentile | >$239,200 | >$115.00 |
The salary of a chief executive can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a chief executive in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for chief executives are California, Hawaii, Idaho, New York, Georgia while the worst states are Washington, Virginia, Texas, South Dakota, Rhode Island.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $65,700 | $221,030 | >$239,200 |
| Alaska | $66,180 | $194,980 | >$239,200 |
| Arkansas | $43,110 | $167,490 | >$239,200 |
| California | $87,390 | $281,030 | >$239,200 |
| Colorado | $88,760 | $259,550 | >$239,200 |
| Connecticut | $95,780 | $345,170 | >$239,200 |
| Delaware | $48,240 | $256,230 | >$239,200 |
| District of Columbia | $120,740 | $307,770 | >$239,200 |
| Florida | $72,020 | $248,690 | >$239,200 |
| Georgia | $60,080 | $273,720 | >$239,200 |
| Hawaii | $113,260 | $281,110 | >$239,200 |
| Idaho | $83,970 | $246,020 | >$239,200 |
| Illinois | $74,400 | $281,460 | >$239,200 |
| Indiana | $100,660 | $281,730 | >$239,200 |
| Iowa | $49,980 | $180,940 | >$239,200 |
| Kansas | $34,780 | $183,490 | >$239,200 |
| Kentucky | $86,710 | $220,200 | >$239,200 |
| Louisiana | $66,390 | $216,900 | >$239,200 |
| Maine | $59,710 | $156,260 | >$239,200 |
| Maryland | $120,000 | $293,990 | >$239,200 |
| Michigan | $97,940 | $296,290 | >$239,200 |
| Minnesota | $82,620 | $246,170 | >$239,200 |
| Mississippi | $98,470 | $155,400 | $238,010 |
| Missouri | $30,500 | $181,870 | >$239,200 |
| Montana | $81,440 | $208,270 | >$239,200 |
| Nebraska | $93,280 | $234,830 | >$239,200 |
| Nevada | $48,630 | $251,370 | >$239,200 |
| New Hampshire | $65,680 | $188,920 | >$239,200 |
| New Jersey | $136,700 | $449,370 | >$239,200 |
| New York | $107,600 | $324,150 | >$239,200 |
| North Carolina | $115,130 | $337,320 | >$239,200 |
| Ohio | $70,730 | $232,120 | >$239,200 |
| Oklahoma | $49,980 | $158,230 | >$239,200 |
| Oregon | $146,140 | $371,290 | >$239,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $103,080 | $236,750 | >$239,200 |
| Rhode Island | $144,050 | $307,480 | >$239,200 |
| South Carolina | $83,770 | $220,650 | >$239,200 |
| South Dakota | $167,850 | $350,100 | >$239,200 |
| Tennessee | $31,410 | $222,920 | >$239,200 |
| Texas | $102,230 | $298,140 | >$239,200 |
| Utah | $51,140 | $196,200 | >$239,200 |
| Vermont | $94,120 | $195,690 | >$239,200 |
| Virginia | $124,990 | $305,720 | >$239,200 |
| Washington | $161,120 | $324,900 | >$239,200 |
| West Virginia | $88,650 | $214,270 | >$239,200 |
| Wisconsin | $86,020 | $260,260 | >$239,200 |
| Wyoming | $34,680 | $145,320 | $219,760 |
Even between cities, the salary of a chief executive can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for chief executives is Midland, MI with an average salary of $485,540.The city with the lowest average salary for chief executives is Eastern and Southern Colorado nonmetropolitan area, CO with an average salary of $106,670.
Areas with highest average salaries for chief executives
Areas with lowest average salaries for chief executives
The number of chief executives in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of chief executives has increased by 8,870. On average, the number of chief executives has been increasing by 1.1% each year. The salary of chief executives has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of chief executives has increased by $61,060. On average, the salary of chief executives has been increasing by 7.7% each year.
Chief Executives are part of the management occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for chief executives compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all management occupations jobs here.
$122,010 per year
$84,080 per year
$76,790 per year
$172,290 per year
$69,580 per year
$133,620 per year
