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.
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
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs 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
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs 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
Certifications
Chief Financial Officer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Chief Financial Officer from entry level to expert.
$141,000
0-2 years
$219,000
3-7 years
$297,000
8-14 years
$458,000
15+ years
Related Management Jobs
Chief Financial Officer Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Chief Financial Officer Salary
How we calculate Chief Financial Officer salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $205,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Chief Financial Officer in the Management sector.
- Entry-level ($141,000) and senior-level ($297,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +5% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 140K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 16% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Management sector wages.
- Education requirement: MBA / CPA, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $205,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Chief Financial Officer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Chief Financial Officer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Management
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Chief Financial Officer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Financial Strategy, P&L Management, Capital Markets), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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