Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Chief Executive is an executive leadership role that sets direction and owns outcomes for its area in the Management job family, focused on Executive work. Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Chief Executives do
Typical education: Master's Degree
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.
Direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, or to increase productivity.
Prepare or present reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, government statutes or rulings, or other items affecting businesses or program services.
Top skills:Judgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingSystems EvaluationSpeakingManagement of Personnel Resources
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Chief Executive pay by experience level
Entry level$78,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$134,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$221,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$368,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$525,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+4.3%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
22,200
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Chief Executive salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
40,180 workers
$272,000
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
22,130 workers
$162,500
Educational Services
17,330 workers
$241,000
Management of Companies and Enterprises
15,470 workers
$428,000
Management of Companies and Enterprises
15,470 workers
$428,000
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
14,730 workers
$168,500
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
13,090 workers
$219,500
Elementary and Secondary Schools
11,750 workers
$209,000
Educational Services, Local Government Owned
10,890 workers
$204,500
Computer Systems Design and Related Services
9,310 workers
$286,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Chief Executive pays 94% above the average across 58 roles in the Management job family (family average $144,000).
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Chief Executive make?
The average base salary for a Chief Executive in the United States is $279,000 per year, or about $134.13 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $134,000 and $368,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Management roles?
The Management job family averages $144,000 across 58 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
