How much does a chief executive make?
The median chief executive in the United States earns $213,990 per year, about $102.88 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all chief executives earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 11-1011.
Chief executive salary range
Pay for chief executives spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $75,700 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $507,730. The average (mean) wage of $269,630 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $75,700 | $36.39 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $129,540 | $62.28 | |
| Median (50th) | $213,990 | $102.88 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $356,200 | $171.25 | |
| 90th percentile | $507,730 | $244.10 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for chief executives (SOC 11-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Chief executive salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Chief executives earn the most in Oregon at $341,630 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $119,990. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $341,630 | 910 |
| Washington | $339,810 | 3,170 |
| Illinois | $331,920 | 4,620 |
| North Carolina | $314,290 | 1,930 |
| Virginia | $310,740 | 4,870 |
| New Jersey | $310,440 | 2,430 |
| Connecticut | $295,120 | 1,660 |
| Hawaii | $281,640 | 470 |
| South Dakota | $280,900 | 510 |
| New York | $257,980 | 8,430 |
| Texas | $257,850 | 8,780 |
| Michigan | $255,560 | 4,950 |
| Indiana | $254,180 | 1,820 |
| Maryland | $248,660 | 3,180 |
| Rhode Island | $235,360 | 460 |
| Pennsylvania | $232,560 | 8,850 |
| California | $218,600 | 34,700 |
| Nebraska | $214,680 | 2,510 |
| Colorado | $213,370 | N/A |
| Iowa | $211,190 | 3,050 |
| Wisconsin | $208,350 | N/A |
| Georgia | $208,180 | 4,080 |
| Delaware | $199,990 | 390 |
| Tennessee | $198,830 | 4,700 |
| Minnesota | $195,670 | 6,740 |
| Montana | $182,340 | 670 |
| Kentucky | $179,530 | 2,070 |
| Idaho | $177,210 | 2,920 |
| Ohio | $176,440 | 4,470 |
| Vermont | $175,070 | 360 |
| Missouri | $172,320 | 2,550 |
| Utah | $171,880 | 3,140 |
| South Carolina | $168,840 | 1,740 |
| New Hampshire | $168,590 | N/A |
| Alaska | $166,710 | 640 |
| Alabama | $166,420 | 810 |
| North Dakota | $164,560 | 380 |
| Oklahoma | $163,790 | 2,390 |
| Kansas | $158,100 | 1,960 |
| West Virginia | $151,950 | 1,700 |
| Nevada | $149,770 | 1,370 |
| Wyoming | $147,940 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $139,250 | 310 |
| Maine | $138,770 | 1,580 |
| New Mexico | $123,500 | 100 |
| Arkansas | $119,990 | 3,550 |
State median wages for chief executives (SOC 11-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for chief executives
The BLS projects employment of chief executives to grow 3.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 291,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 300,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 19,100 openings a year for chief executives. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a chief executive
The typical entry-level education for chief executives is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a chief executive earns
Company size, industry, and metro area drive most of the pay gap. Executives and managers at large firms in major markets sit near the top of the range, while smaller organizations and rural areas pay lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Oregon, $341,630) and the lowest (Arkansas, $119,990) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 204,350 people work as chief executives in the United States. At $213,990 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Chief executive salary FAQ
How much does a chief executive make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a chief executive is $102.88. The middle half of chief executives earn between $62.28 and $171.25 per hour.
What is the highest chief executive salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of chief executives earn more than $507,730 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a chief executive make a year?
The median annual salary for a chief executive is $213,990. The average (mean) wage of $269,630 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a chief executive a well paid job?
At $213,990 a year, a chief executive earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 204,350 people work as chief executives in the United States.
Which state pays chief executives the most?
Oregon has the highest median salary for chief executives at $341,630 a year. Washington ($339,810) and Illinois ($331,920) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a chief executive a good career?
Employment of chief executives is projected to grow 3.2% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 19,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a chief executive?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for chief executives as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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