Chief Executives Salary by State
The national median pay for chief executives is $213,990 a year. By state, it ranges from $119,990 in Arkansas to $341,630 in Oregon.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $75,700
- 25th percentile
- $129,540
- Median
- $213,990
- 75th percentile
- $356,200
- Top 10%
- $507,730
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 204,350 jobs.
Median pay in 46 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $341,630 | +60% | $179,550 | $772,840 | 910 |
| 2 | Washington | $339,810 | +59% | $160,110 | $607,100 | 3,170 |
| 3 | Illinois | $331,920 | +55% | $133,170 | $589,720 | 4,620 |
| 4 | North Carolina | $314,290 | +47% | $114,210 | $624,990 | 1,930 |
| 5 | Virginia | $310,740 | +45% | $130,000 | $604,090 | 4,870 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $310,440 | +45% | $173,560 | $666,030 | 2,430 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $295,120 | +38% | $156,680 | $680,080 | 1,660 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $281,640 | +32% | $100,030 | $493,870 | 470 |
| 9 | South Dakota | $280,900 | +31% | $175,590 | $546,760 | 510 |
| 10 | New York | $257,980 | +21% | $140,410 | $657,630 | 8,430 |
| 11 | Texas | $257,850 | +20% | $121,130 | $558,550 | 8,780 |
| 12 | Michigan | $255,560 | +19% | $104,010 | $547,090 | 4,950 |
| 13 | Indiana | $254,180 | +19% | $97,340 | $494,080 | 1,820 |
| 14 | Maryland | $248,660 | +16% | $139,990 | $486,860 | 3,180 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $235,360 | +10% | $113,970 | $561,080 | 460 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $232,560 | +9% | $118,810 | $528,200 | 8,850 |
| 17 | California | $218,600 | +2% | $85,790 | $486,830 | 34,700 |
| 18 | Nebraska | $214,680 | 0% | $107,200 | $515,360 | 2,510 |
| 19 | Colorado | $213,370 | 0% | $88,400 | $402,230 | Not published |
| 20 | Iowa | $211,190 | −1% | $86,090 | $365,320 | 3,050 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $208,350 | −3% | $103,560 | $426,290 | Not published |
| 22 | Georgia | $208,180 | −3% | $57,290 | $517,910 | 4,080 |
| 23 | Delaware | $199,990 | −7% | $119,990 | $523,940 | 390 |
| 24 | Tennessee | $198,830 | −7% | $64,520 | $474,740 | 4,700 |
| 25 | Minnesota | $195,670 | −9% | $92,540 | $449,270 | 6,740 |
| 26 | Montana | $182,340 | −15% | $73,970 | $432,240 | 670 |
| 27 | Kentucky | $179,530 | −16% | $72,800 | $466,660 | 2,070 |
| 28 | Idaho | $177,210 | −17% | $103,360 | $403,230 | 2,920 |
| 29 | Ohio | $176,440 | −18% | $79,390 | $484,820 | 4,470 |
| 30 | Vermont | $175,070 | −18% | $108,300 | $428,080 | 360 |
| 31 | Missouri | $172,320 | −19% | $75,040 | $416,060 | 2,550 |
| 32 | Utah | $171,880 | −20% | $72,480 | $424,690 | 3,140 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $168,840 | −21% | $49,760 | $393,490 | 1,740 |
| 34 | New Hampshire | $168,590 | −21% | $103,990 | $397,850 | Not published |
| 35 | Alaska | $166,710 | −22% | $75,870 | $428,990 | 640 |
| 36 | Alabama | $166,420 | −22% | $101,670 | $317,400 | 810 |
| 37 | North Dakota | $164,560 | −23% | $104,590 | $464,030 | 380 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $163,790 | −23% | $68,630 | $387,310 | 2,390 |
| 39 | Kansas | $158,100 | −26% | $51,120 | $453,350 | 1,960 |
| 40 | West Virginia | $151,950 | −29% | $72,160 | $403,020 | 1,700 |
| 41 | Nevada | $149,770 | −30% | $58,670 | $517,310 | 1,370 |
| 42 | Wyoming | $147,940 | −31% | $34,690 | $276,940 | 60 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $139,250 | −35% | $101,930 | $304,040 | 310 |
| 44 | Maine | $138,770 | −35% | $73,680 | $401,950 | 1,580 |
| 45 | New Mexico | $123,500 | −42% | $43,710 | $302,440 | 100 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $119,990 | −44% | $49,830 | $330,480 | 3,550 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Chief Executives salary questions
Which state pays chief executives the most?
Oregon, with a median of $341,630 a year (+60% vs. the national median of $213,990). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays chief executives the least?
Arkansas, with a median of $119,990 a year (−44% vs. national).
Where do most chief executives work?
California has the most jobs, about 34,700, with a median of $218,600.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.