How Much Does a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Make? (2025)
Chief executive officers (CEOs) are responsible for defining and executing an organization's vision, mission, and long-term goals, driving corporate profit growth, and ensuring robust corporate governance. They oversee executive pay practices, align company performance with strategic objectives, and collaborate with compensation committees to set key performance indicators (KPIs). CEOs wield significant executive power in the corporate world, leading publicly traded companies and large companies while building relationships with stakeholders.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects steady to strong job growth in top executives including CEOs from 2024 to 2034. According to Salary.com, chief executive officers in the United States earn an average salary of $811,100 per year, or $390 per hour, as of September 1, 2025. This median pay package includes base salary, equity compensation, stock awards, cash compensation, deferred compensation, and other benefits, with total compensation often significantly higher for top executives.
Continue reading this guide to learn about CEO salary expectations, top-paying cities and common questions about the role.
What is the Chief Executive Officer's Salary?
As of September 1, 2025, the average chief executive officer salary in the United States is $811,100 per year or $390 per hour. The salary range for chief executive officers is between $627,124 and $1,028,127, with most earnings falling between $714,800 and $924,700 per year. The median compensation, including bonuses, is $1,413,800, reflecting the role of stock options and equity compensation in CEO pay.
2025 Average Salary for Chief Executive Officers: $811,100 per year ($390 per hour)
CEOs report an average monthly salary of $67,592, while the average weekly pay is $15,598. The total compensation package, including bonuses and other benefits, averages $1,679,388 annually, driven by performance-based incentives tied to company performance.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $302 | $12,060 | $52,260 | $627,124 |
| 25th Percentile | $344 | $13,746 | $59,567 | $714,800 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $390 | $15,598 | $67,592 | $811,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $445 | $17,783 | $77,058 | $924,700 |
| 90th Percentile | $494 | $19,772 | $85,677 | $1,028,127 |
Aside from the base salary, CEOs receive substantial additional earnings. The average total compensation in the United States is $1,679,388 per year, with bonuses averaging $602,700 (35.9% of total compensation). Other components include Social Security ($30,953), 401k/403b ($10,500), disability ($28,276), healthcare ($8,352), pension ($13,500), and time off ($174,006).
Chief Executive Officer Average Salaries State by State
CEO salaries differ across U.S. states due to factors such as cost of living, local economies, and the presence of listed companies. The CEO pay ratio-the gap between CEO compensation and the average workers' pay-varies by state, influenced by capita income growth and market forces.
The table below shows the states with the highest average pay for CEOs: the District of Columbia ($898,000), California ($894,600), and Massachusetts ($882,700). These states host many large companies, where stock awards and corporate profits drive higher pay.
On the other hand, states with the lowest average salaries include Mississippi ($723,300), West Virginia ($730,400), and Arkansas ($732,700), where lower revenue and economic growth result in comparatively lower CEO pay.
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $878,000 |
| Alabama | $745,100 |
| Arkansas | $732,700 |
| Arizona | $790,300 |
| California | $894,600 |
| Colorado | $827,500 |
| Connecticut | $866,800 |
| District of Columbia | $898,000 |
| Delaware | $821,400 |
| Florida | $767,400 |
| Georgia | $782,300 |
| Hawaii | $847,700 |
| Iowa | $776,200 |
| Idaho | $757,100 |
| Illinois | $826,700 |
| Indiana | $778,600 |
| Kansas | $772,300 |
| Kentucky | $763,200 |
| Louisiana | $771,200 |
| Massachusetts | $882,700 |
| Maryland | $836,300 |
| Maine | $790,800 |
| Michigan | $798,800 |
| Minnesota | $830,000 |
| Missouri | $770,600 |
| Mississippi | $723,300 |
| Montana | $765,700 |
| North Carolina | $770,800 |
| North Dakota | $801,200 |
| Nebraska | $764,100 |
| New Hampshire | $820,000 |
| New Jersey | $879,100 |
| New Mexico | $751,200 |
| Nevada | $802,700 |
| New York | $862,300 |
| Ohio | $789,800 |
| Oklahoma | $749,900 |
| Oregon | $823,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $807,400 |
| Rhode Island | $840,900 |
| South Carolina | $760,000 |
| South Dakota | $737,100 |
| Tennessee | $758,000 |
| Texas | $791,100 |
| Utah | $776,700 |
| Virginia | $816,800 |
| Vermont | $796,100 |
| Washington | $879,500 |
| Wisconsin | $797,900 |
| West Virginia | $730,400 |
| Wyoming | $777,800 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Chief Executive Officers?
CEO salaries vary by city, influenced by the cost of living, local demand for top executives, and the concentration of public companies. Cities with strong corporate governance and high-revenue industries, such as technology, offer higher pay to attract executives skilled in financial planning and performance security.
For example, cities in California, such as San Jose ($1,023,000) and San Francisco ($1,012,900), offer the highest average salaries for chief executive officers, driven by the presence of publicly traded companies. New York, NY ($940,000) and Boston, MA ($904,600) also rank among the top-paying cities.
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $1,023,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | $1,012,900 |
| New York, NY | $940,000 |
| Boston, MA | $904,600 |
How Does Experience Affect Chief Executive Officer Salaries?
CEO salary growth is closely tied to experience, as seasoned executives bring expertise in driving corporate profits and stock market performance. According to Salary.com, entry-level CEOs earn about $731,982 per year, while those with over 8 years of experience average $810,800 per year. The highest-paid CEOs often benefit from golden parachutes and substantial equity compensation.
| Level | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry Level CEO | $731,982 |
| Intermediate Level CEO | $743,516 |
| Senior Level CEO | $758,896 |
| Specialist Level CEO | $781,964 |
| Expert Level CEO | $810,800 |
To command higher pay, CEOs must excel in driving revenue, managing executive pay practices, and aligning with compensation committees' expectations. Salary.com reports that most CEOs need an advanced degree and 5-8 years of experience to enter top-tier roles.
Chief Executive Officer Advancements
- Build a strong track record: CEOs who boost company performance and corporate profits can negotiate higher compensation packages, as reflected in proxy statements.
- Leadership roles: Leading larger companies or taking on additional responsibilities, such as chairing the board, can increase total compensation.
- Specialization: Expertise in areas like financial planning, corporate governance, or security solutions (e.g., mitigating risks from online attacks, as seen with Cloudflare Ray ID found in performance security) enhances a CEO's value.
- Education: While 1.4% of CEOs have no diploma, most hold a bachelor's degree (36.9%), master's degree or MBA (40.3%), or doctorate (10%), which can lead to higher-paying roles.
Chief Executive Officer Skills
CEOs with specialized skills can increase their pay, particularly in areas critical to company performance. Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report shows that skills like Business Development (+8.67%) and Operational Risk (+8.51%) significantly raise salaries, reflecting their importance in navigating market forces.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Business Development | 10.00% | +8.67% |
| Operational Risk | 10.00% | +8.51% |
| Corporate Communications | 10.00% | +8.37% |
| Business Strategy | 10.00% | +8.31% |
| Strategic Management | 10.00% | +8.09% |
| Supply Chain Management | 10.00% | +8.06% |
What are the FAQs About Chief Executive Officer Salaries?
Here are some common questions about Chief Executive Officer salaries:
How much do chief executive officers make?
As of September 1, 2025, chief executive officers in the United States earn an average of about $811,100 per year, or $390 per hour, with most earning between $714,800 and $924,700. The median pay package, including bonuses, is $1,413,800.
Are CEOs still in demand?
Yes, CEOs are in steady to strong job growth, particularly in publicly traded companies and large companies, where their leadership drives corporate profits and stock market growth.
Is being a CEO a good career?
Yes, being a CEO is a rewarding career, with an average salary of $811,100 and total compensation averaging $1,679,388, including stock awards and other benefits. The role offers significant executive power in the corporate world.
What degree do you need to be a CEO?
Most CEOs hold a bachelor's degree (36.9%), master's degree or MBA (40.3%), or doctorate (10%), though 1.4% have no diploma. Extensive leadership experience is typically required.
What is the CEO pay ratio?
The CEO pay ratio, comparing CEO compensation to the median pay of other employees, varies widely. In large companies, the gap is significant due to stock options and deferred compensation.
Are there concerns about excess pay?
Yes, concerns about excess pay arise when CEO compensation outpaces the average workers' salaries, as seen in proxy statements. Compensation committees are tasked with ensuring executive pay aligns with company performance.
