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
$213,990
$17,833/mo
Entry Level
$147,200
starting pay
Senior Level
$310,000
experienced
Job Growth
+5%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Chief Executives (SOC 11-1011, the closest published occupation to Chief Financial Officer) at a national median of $213,990 per year (mean $269,630), or $102.88 per hour, with 204,350 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
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)
204K
5-Year Growth
+16%
Category
Management
Hourly Rate
$102.88/hr
Monthly Pay
$17,833
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
$255,000
$21,250/month · $9,808/biweekly · $122.60/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 $147,200, while the top 10% earn $394,050 or more.
Top Paying States for Chief Financial Officers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $253,000 | +$39,010 |
| New York | $246,000 | +$32,010 |
| Massachusetts | $240,000 | +$26,010 |
| Illinois | $223,000 | +$9,010 |
| Texas | $210,000 | $-3,990 |
Top Paying Cities for Chief Financial Officers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $267,000 | +$53,010 |
| New York | $253,000 | +$39,010 |
| Boston | $240,000 | +$26,010 |
| Chicago | $225,000 | +$11,010 |
| Dallas | $214,000 | +$10 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Chief Financial Officer Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Chief Financial Officer.
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.
$147,200
0-2 years
$229,000
3-7 years
$310,000
8-14 years
$478,100
15+ years
Related Management Jobs
Chief Financial Officer Salary FAQ
How much does a Chief Financial Officer make in 2026?
The median salary for a Chief Financial Officer in the United States is $213,990 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Chief Executives (SOC 11-1011); the mean is $269,630. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $147,200, senior professionals around $310,000, and top earners at $478,100 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Chief Financial Officer?
A Chief Financial Officer typically requires a MBA / CPA with 10-15 years of experience. Key skills include Financial Strategy, P&L Management, Capital Markets. Relevant certifications such as CPA or CFA can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Chief Financial Officers?
The job market for Chief Financial Officers is projected to grow by 5% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 204K Chief Financial Officer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 16%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Chief Financial Officers the most?
The highest-paying states for Chief Financial Officers include New York, California, Illinois. In New York, the median salary is approximately $246,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Chief Financial Officer salary?
To increase your Chief Financial Officer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Financial Strategy and P&L Management. Pursue certifications such as CPA. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 10-15 years of experience, you can progress from $147,200 to $310,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Chief Financial Officer Salary
How we calculate Chief Financial Officer salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Chief Executives (SOC 11-1011), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $213,990, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Chief Executives; BLS mean $269,630; BLS hourly median $102.88.
- Entry-level ($147,200) and senior-level ($310,000) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +5% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 204,350 Chief Executives jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 16% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Management sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: MBA / CPA, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $213,990; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
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 Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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