$Who Earns What

How much does a ceo make?

US Chief Executives

Answer: A typical ceo in the United States makes $213,990 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Yearly pay of a typical person doing this job in the US
$213,990

Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 204,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).

Lower earner
$75,700
10th from the bottom of 100
Typical person
$213,990
Right in the middle (median)
Higher earner
$507,730
10th from the top of 100

If 100 people had this job

Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-right

Hover over a person to see their yearly pay

53 of 100
more than half

CEO pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)

CEO pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$75,700$213,990$507,730about 204,000
States where ceos earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Oregon$341,630about 910
Washington$339,810about 3,000
Illinois$331,920about 5,000
North Carolina$314,290about 2,000
Virginia$310,740about 5,000

Why does pay differ?

In the U.S., CEO pay can vary with an organization’s size and industry, the location, and the leader’s experience. Corporate jobs may add performance bonuses or stock options, while nonprofit and government jobs often offer fewer extras.

What if you lived in a different state?

Pay varies a lot by state in the US
Whole US$213,990
Oregon$341,630
Washington$339,810
Illinois$331,920
North Carolina$314,290
Virginia$310,740
Nevada$149,770
Maine$138,770
Arkansas$119,990

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

What does a ceo do?

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

What's a typical day like?

A CEO might check budgets and sales, then meet leaders and board members to solve problems and set priorities. They guide company goals, approve plans or contracts, and may travel to another office or conference.

How to get this job

In the U.S., most CEOs earn a bachelor’s degree in a field such as business or engineering, then build years of management experience in their industry. Some employers also ask for a related license or certification.

Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)

Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized.

Did you know?

In O*NET’s survey, 86% of U.S. chief executives said their typical workweek is longer than 40 hours.

Similar jobs

Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)

Sources and data

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY