Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Salary Breakdown — Gross vs. Take-Home
National median: $258,560/year. After federal taxes (single filer), that's $188,363/year take-home — 27.1% effective rate.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Salary After Federal Tax by Experience Level
Take-home calculated for single filer, federal taxes only (no state income tax baseline).
| Level | Gross Salary | Take-Home / Year | Monthly | Eff. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $120,000 | $92,773 | $7,731 | 22.7% |
| 25th Percentile | $150,000 | $113,278 | $9,440 | 24.5% |
| MedianBLS Median | $258,560 | $188,363 | $15,697 | 27.1% |
| 75th Percentile | $500,000 | $339,835 | $28,320 | 32.0% |
| 90th Percentile | $1,500,000 | $949,162 | $79,097 | 36.7% |
| Senior Level | $800,000 | $524,612 | $43,718 | 34.4% |
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Take-Home Pay by State
Salary figures adjusted for state cost of living and local market rates. Single filer.
| State | Est. Salary | Take-Home / Year | Monthly | Eff. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $340,653 | $220,556 | $18,380 | 35.3% |
| California | $317,382 | $196,509 | $16,376 | 38.1% |
| Texas | $279,891 | $201,936 | $16,828 | 27.9% |
| Illinois | $282,477 | $189,574 | $15,798 | 32.9% |
| Florida | $286,355 | $205,986 | $17,165 | 28.1% |
About This Career
CEOs set organizational strategy and are accountable for financial performance, reporting to boards of directors. At S&P 500 companies, median CEO total compensation exceeded $15 million in 2024, largely through stock awards — a figure that dwarfs what most small and mid-size company CEOs earn.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Chief Executive Officer (CEO) salary in the US?+
The national median Chief Executive Officer (CEO) salary is $258,560 per year (BLS data). The middle 50% of earners fall between $150,000 and $500,000, while the top 10% earn over $1,500,000.
How much does a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) take home after taxes?+
A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) earning the median $258,560 takes home approximately $188,363 after federal taxes (single filer, assuming no state income tax). Add state taxes to get a more precise figure for your location.
Where do Chief Executive Officer (CEO)s earn the most?+
The highest-paying states for Chief Executive Officer (CEO)s are New York, California, Texas. Top cities include New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, where salaries can exceed $500,000 for experienced professionals.