Chief Executives Salary
Management Occupations · 204K employed in the U.S.
Median annual
$213,990
Median hourly
$103
Average annual
$269,630
Typical range
$75,700–$507,730
Pay distribution
10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.
What this role pays
The median annual salary for Chief Executives is $213,990 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $103 an hour at a full-time schedule.
Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers..
Most earn between $75,700 and $507,730 a year. There are roughly 204K people employed as chief executives in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.
Salary calculator
Convert your pay and see where it lands for Chief Executives.
- Hourly
- $102.88
- Daily
- $823
- Weekly
- $4,115
- Bi-weekly
- $8,230
- Monthly
- $17,833
- Annual
- $213,990
$213,990 a year is around the 50th percentile for Chief Executivess. The median is $213,990.
Highest-paying states
Median annual wage by state.
- 1Oregon$341,630
- 2Washington$339,810
- 3Illinois$331,920
- 4North Carolina$314,290
- 5Virginia$310,740
- 6New Jersey$310,440
- 7Connecticut$295,120
- 8Hawaii$281,640
- 9South Dakota$280,900
- 10New York$257,980
- 11Texas$257,850
- 12Michigan$255,560
Top-paying metro areas
Median annual wage by metro area.
- 1Medford, OR$615,500
- 2Midland, MI$587,950
- 3Midland, TX$389,330
- 4Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT$388,060
- 5Durham-Chapel Hill, NC$381,330
- 6Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$375,810
- 7Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$370,000
- 8Greensboro-High Point, NC$354,310
- 9Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$344,960
- 10Evansville, IN$339,330
- 11Springfield, IL$338,570
- 12Ann Arbor, MI$335,900
Related job titles
Employers advertise Chief Executives roles under these titles.
- Aeronautics Commission Director
- Agency Owner
- Agricultural Services Director
- Arts and Humanities Council Director
- Bank President
- Bureau Chief
- Business Development Officer (BD Officer)
- Business Enterprise Officer
- Business Executive
- CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
- Chief Diversity Officer (CDO)
- Chief Environmental Commitment Officer (CECO)
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Chief Green Officer (CGO)
- Chief Information Officer (CIO)
- Chief Innovation Officer (CINO)
Related occupations
- General and Operations Managers$105,770
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$83,050
- Public Relations Managers$146,910
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$82,220
- Social and Community Service Managers$80,390
- Financial Managers$166,570
- Managers, All Other$141,900
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$104,590
What a Chief Executives does
- Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
- Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.
- Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.
- Prepare or present reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, government statutes or rulings, or other items affecting businesses or program services.
- Interpret and explain policies, rules, regulations, or laws to organizations, government or corporate officials, or individuals.
- Review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes.
- Negotiate or approve contracts or agreements with suppliers, distributors, federal or state agencies, or other organizational entities.
- Establish departmental responsibilities and coordinate functions among departments and sites.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chief Executives make?
- The median annual wage for Chief Executives is $213,990 ($103 per hour). Pay ranges from about $75,700 at the 10th percentile to $507,730 at the 90th percentile.
- What is the average salary for a Chief Executives?
- The average (mean) annual salary is $269,630, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
- Which state pays Chief Executivess the most?
- Oregon has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $341,630.
- Is Chief Executives a growing occupation?
- BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 204K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
- What does a Chief Executives do?
- Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.; Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.; Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs..