Chief Executives Salary in California
Chief Executives in California earn a median annual wage of $218,600 —2.2% above the national median of $213,990. That ranks CA #17 of 46 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.45× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for chief executives
All 46 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $341,630 | $164.25 | 910 | 0.35 |
| 2 | Washington | $339,810 | $163.37 | 3,170 | 0.68 |
| 3 | Illinois | $331,920 | $159.58 | 4,620 | 0.58 |
| 4 | North Carolina | $314,290 | $151.10 | 1,930 | 0.30 |
| 5 | Virginia | $310,740 | $149.40 | 4,870 | 0.90 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $310,440 | $149.25 | 2,430 | 0.43 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $295,120 | $141.89 | 1,660 | 0.74 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $281,640 | $135.41 | 470 | 0.57 |
| 9 | South Dakota | $280,900 | $135.05 | 510 | 0.84 |
| 10 | New York | $257,980 | $124.03 | 8,430 | 0.66 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $124,390 | $105,770 |
| Financial Managers | $180,770 | $166,570 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $218,290 | $175,140 |
| Sales Managers | $134,910 | $148,270 |
| Managers, All Other | $174,560 | $141,900 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $141,480 | $123,860 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do chief executives make in California?
The median annual wage for chief executives in California is $218,600, or $105.10 per hour. That is 2.2% above the national median of $213,990.
What is the entry-level chief executives salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $85,790 per year ($41.25/hour). The 25th percentile is $133,610.
How many people work as chief executives in California?
About 34,700 people work in this occupation in California, or 1.9 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for chief executives?
California ranks #17 of 46 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.45x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays chief executives the most?
Oregon has the highest median wage at $341,630 per year, followed by Washington ($339,810) and Illinois ($331,920).