Chief Executives Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$85,790
- 25th Percentile — Junior$133,610
- 50th Percentile — Median$218,600
- 75th Percentile — Senior$351,090
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$486,830
Half of Chief Executives in California earn more than $218,600. The top 10% make $486,830 or more, while entry-level workers start around $85,790.
Chief Executives in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 19th of 46 states for Chief Executives pay, at $272,920 per year (1.2% above the U.S. average of $269,630).
- 34,700 people work as Chief Executives in California — 17.0% of all U.S. Chief Executives jobs.
- Location quotient 1.45: Chief Executives jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $85,790; the top 10% earn over $486,830.
- Hourly equivalent: $131.21 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Oregon at $403,380.
- Among management jobs in California, Computer and Information Systems Managers pays the most ($238,440).
Chief Executives Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Chief Executives here earn $272,920 on average, placing the state 19th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $272,920 is roughly equivalent to $192,197 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Michigan ($298,740), Indiana ($284,910), Delaware ($277,630) are the closest alternatives for Chief Executives weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Management Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Computer and Information Systems Managers $238,440/yr California 12.6% vs this role
- Natural Sciences Managers $223,850/yr California 18.0% vs this role
- Architectural and Engineering Managers $213,110/yr California 21.9% vs this role
- Financial Managers $210,490/yr California 22.9% vs this role
- Marketing Managers $207,860/yr California 23.8% vs this role
- Public Relations Managers $185,180/yr California 32.1% vs this role
- Purchasing Managers $165,780/yr California 39.3% vs this role
- Sales Managers $160,260/yr California 41.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chief Executives salary in California?
The average Chief Executives salary in California is $272,920 per year (median $218,600), which is 1.2% above the national average of $269,630.
How does California rank for Chief Executives pay?
California ranks 19th out of 46 states. The highest-paying state is Oregon ($403,380/yr).
How much do entry-level Chief Executives make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chief Executives in California earn about $85,790 per year and the 25th percentile is $133,610.
How much do Chief Executives make per hour in California?
About $131.21 per hour, based on the $272,920 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chief Executives work in California?
BLS counts 34,700 Chief Executives jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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