Chief executives are responsible for overseeing the overall operations and strategic direction of a company, making critical decisions to drive success and growth.
This article will explore the best states for chief executives, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.
- 1. New Jersey ($414,350)
- 2. South Dakota ($334,240)
- 3. New York ($324,370)
- 4. North Carolina ($322,120)
- 5. Texas ($314,060)
- 6. Michigan ($312,710)
- 7. District of Columbia ($306,130)
- 8. Washington ($305,760)
- 9. Hawaii ($298,640)
- 10. Virginia ($292,600)
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- The highest-paid chief executives are in New Jersey, where they earn an average of $414,350 per year.
- The lowest-paid chief executives are in Wyoming, where they earn an average of $-1 per year.
- The U.S. average salary for chief executives is $216,302 per year.
1. New Jersey ($414,350)

Chief Executives in New Jersey earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
chief executives in New Jersey is
$414,350, which is +92% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $414,350 |
10th Percentile | $110,760 |
25th Percentile | $157,270 |
75th Percentile | $-3 |
90th Percentile | $-3 |
2. South Dakota ($334,240)

Chief Executives in South Dakota earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
chief executives in South Dakota is
$334,240, which is +55% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $334,240 |
10th Percentile | $155,330 |
25th Percentile | $190,090 |
75th Percentile | $-3 |
90th Percentile | $-3 |
3. New York ($324,370)

Chief Executives in New York earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
chief executives in New York is
$324,370, which is +50% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $324,370 |
10th Percentile | $104,560 |
25th Percentile | $158,290 |
75th Percentile | $-3 |
90th Percentile | $-3 |
4. North Carolina ($322,120)

Chief Executives in North Carolina earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
chief executives in North Carolina is
$322,120, which is +49% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $322,120 |
10th Percentile | $120,650 |
25th Percentile | $172,460 |
75th Percentile | $-3 |
90th Percentile | $-3 |
5. Texas ($314,060)

Chief Executives in Texas earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
chief executives in Texas is
$314,060, which is +45% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $314,060 |
10th Percentile | $104,330 |
25th Percentile | $161,250 |
75th Percentile | $-3 |
90th Percentile | $-3 |
6. Michigan ($312,710)

Chief Executives in Michigan earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
chief executives in Michigan is
$312,710, which is +45% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $312,710 |
10th Percentile | $104,330 |
25th Percentile | $159,050 |
75th Percentile | $-3 |
90th Percentile | $-3 |
7. District of Columbia ($306,130)

Chief Executives in District of Columbia earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
chief executives in District of Columbia is
$306,130, which is +42% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $306,130 |
10th Percentile | $100,320 |
25th Percentile | $158,500 |
75th Percentile | $-3 |
90th Percentile | $-3 |
8. Washington ($305,760)

Chief Executives in Washington earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
chief executives in Washington is
$305,760, which is +41% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $305,760 |
10th Percentile | $134,070 |
25th Percentile | $177,360 |
75th Percentile | $-3 |
90th Percentile | $-3 |
9. Hawaii ($298,640)

Chief Executives in Hawaii earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
chief executives in Hawaii is
$298,640, which is +38% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $298,640 |
10th Percentile | $132,700 |
25th Percentile | $168,730 |
75th Percentile | $-3 |
90th Percentile | $-3 |
10. Virginia ($292,600)

Chief Executives in Virginia earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
chief executives in Virginia is
$292,600, which is +35% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $292,600 |
10th Percentile | $102,360 |
25th Percentile | $165,840 |
75th Percentile | $-3 |
90th Percentile | $-3 |
Conclusion
The highest-paid chief executives are in New Jersey, where they earn an average of $414,350 per year. The lowest-paid chief executives are in Wyoming, where they earn an average of $-1 per year. The U.S. average salary for chief executives is $216,302 per year and there are 180,098 jobs in the field.