Chief Executive Salary in 2026
How Much Do Chief Executives Make?
Chief Executives earn a median annual salary of $206,420 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $73,710 at the 10th percentile to $239,200 at the 90th percentile — a range of $165,490. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $239,200.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $73,710 |
| 25th percentile | $126,080 |
| Median (50th) | $206,420 |
| 75th percentile | $239,200 |
| 90th percentile | $239,200 |
Chief Executive Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $239,200 |
| Illinois | $239,200 |
| Maryland | $239,200 |
| Massachusetts | $239,200 |
| Nevada | $239,200 |
| New Jersey | $239,200 |
| North Carolina | $239,200 |
| Oregon | $239,200 |
| South Dakota | $239,200 |
| Virginia | $239,200 |
| Washington | $239,200 |
| Connecticut | $239,200 |
| Hawaii | $231,500 |
| California | $220,600 |
| Pennsylvania | $220,510 |
| New York | $219,320 |
| Michigan | $219,230 |
| Rhode Island | $211,810 |
| Wisconsin | $209,090 |
| Ohio | $208,590 |
| Nebraska | $206,080 |
| Indiana | $205,780 |
| Georgia | $201,750 |
| Colorado | $194,810 |
| Montana | $194,460 |
| Minnesota | $194,160 |
| Delaware | $190,460 |
| West Virginia | $181,930 |
| South Carolina | $181,830 |
| Iowa | $178,530 |
| Tennessee | $173,870 |
| Idaho | $173,070 |
| North Dakota | $171,310 |
| Alaska | $168,680 |
| Vermont | $166,190 |
| Alabama | $164,400 |
| Utah | $163,980 |
| Missouri | $158,930 |
| Kansas | $154,700 |
| Arizona | $150,590 |
| Oklahoma | $148,870 |
| New Mexico | $148,790 |
| Kentucky | $146,630 |
| Wyoming | $140,000 |
| New Hampshire | $138,910 |
| Mississippi | $125,340 |
| Louisiana | $121,490 |
| Arkansas | $121,220 |
| Maine | $120,160 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Chief Executives
Chief Executive Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$73,710 – $126,080 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$206,420 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$239,200 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $239,200+ |
How to Earn More as a Chief Executive
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Chief Executives in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX earn $239,200 — $32,780 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($239,200) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Chief Executive Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Chief Executivethis career | $206,420 |
| Chief Sustainability Officer | $206,420 |
| General and Operations Manager | $102,950 |
| Sales Manager | $138,060 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $108,390 |
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SOC: 11-1011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.