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Chief Financial Officer Salary in 2026

Chief financial officers oversee all financial activities of an organization, including planning, budgeting, reporting, and risk management. They provide strategic financial leadership to the executive team.

Median Salary

$205,000

$17,083/mo

Entry Level

$141,000

starting pay

Senior Level

$297,000

experienced

Job Growth

+5%

10-yr outlook

Chief Financial Officer Overview

Chief financial officers oversee all financial activities of an organization, including planning, budgeting, reporting, and risk management. They provide strategic financial leadership to the executive team.

Education

MBA / CPA

Experience

10-15 years

Industry

Management

Total Jobs (US)

140K

5-Year Growth

+16%

Category

Management

Hourly Rate

$98.56/hr

Monthly Pay

$17,083

Chief Financial Officer Salary Calculator

Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Chief Financial Officer salary in your area.

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

Estimated Chief Financial Officer Salary

$244,000

$20,333/month · $9,385/biweekly · $117.31/hr

Chief Financial Officer Salary Range

Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Chief Financial Officer field.

25th Percentile$166,600
$167K
Median (50th)$205,000
$205K
75th Percentile$251,000
$251K
90th Percentile$377,500
$378K
Top Earners$458,000
$458K

Entry-level Chief Financial Officers earn around $141,000, while the top 10% earn $377,500 or more.

Top Paying States for Chief Financial Officers

StateEst. Median Salaryvs National
California$242,000+$37,000
New York$236,000+$31,000
Massachusetts$230,000+$25,000
Illinois$213,000+$8,000
Texas$201,000$-4,000

Top Paying Cities for Chief Financial Officers

CityEst. Median Salaryvs National
San Francisco$256,000+$51,000
New York$242,000+$37,000
Boston$230,000+$25,000
Chicago$215,000+$10,000
Dallas$205,000$0

Required Skills & Certifications

Key Skills

Financial StrategyP&L ManagementCapital MarketsRisk ManagementBoard Reporting

Certifications

CPACFAMBA

Chief Financial Officer Career Progression

Typical salary growth path for a Chief Financial Officer from entry level to expert.

Entry Level

$141,000

0-2 years

Mid Career

$219,000

3-7 years

Senior

$297,000

8-14 years

Lead / Expert

$458,000

15+ years

EntryExpert

Chief Financial Officer Salary FAQ

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