Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary
$276,500 / year
≈ $23,050 per month · $132.93 per hour
Low $167,500Average $276,500High $363,500
Figures reflect WePayFairly survey data aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. Range estimated at −20% / +25% around the aged average. State figures use estimated geographic differentials. Actual pay varies with experience, location, industry, and organization size.
Total cash compensation
Base salary plus target annual bonus. Target bonus opportunity scales with role level, so a higher base carries a higher target percentage.
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
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About this role
Vice President Legal Tax Section is a senior executive role that sets strategy and owns results across the function, focused on Legal Tax in the Legal job family. The title carries Section-level responsibility, indicating a section scope within a department.
The Legal function covers advising the business on contracts, regulation, governance, disputes, and risk.
Typical experience: 15 to 22 years at the Vice President level, per widely used corporate career-level norms (Radford, Mercer, and SHRM career-level frameworks). Actual expectations vary by function, industry, and company size.
Lead a function across the enterprise or an entire business unit
Set functional vision, strategy, and multi-year roadmap
Serve on the executive leadership team
Own functional P&L and enterprise-wide outcomes for the area
Interface with the board, executive committee, and external partners
Build and lead a team of Directors and their organizations
Manage tax planning, compliance, and provision
Handle tax controversy and audit defense
Advise on transactions and structural tax matters
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Exempt · Executive exemption
Managerial roles at this level typically qualify for the Executive exemption because they customarily direct the work of two or more full-time employees and have authority over hiring, firing, or promotion decisions. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
Career ladder and pay outlook
Median base pay at each level of the Legal Tax ladder. Titles vary by company; levels compare role scope.
Projection assumes market wages keep rising about 3.5% a year, consistent with recent wage growth measured by the BLS Employment Cost Index. It reflects market movement for the title, not individual raises or promotions, which vary.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a Vice President Legal Tax Section make?
The median market pay for a Vice President Legal Tax Section in the United States is about $276,500 per year in 2026, based on WePayFairly's market model.
What is the salary range for a Vice President Legal Tax Section?
A typical market range for a Vice President Legal Tax Section runs from about $235,000 to $318,000, with pay varying by company size, industry, and location.
How this role compares
Vice President Legal Tax Section pays 44% above the average across 1,680 roles in the Legal job family (family average $191,500).
Need Vice President Legal Tax Section pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
