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Chief Medical Officer Salary in 2026

Lead clinical operations and medical strategy for healthcare organizations.

Median Salary

$350,000

$29,167/mo

Entry Level

$250,000

starting pay

Senior Level

$450,000

experienced

Job Growth

+6%

10-yr outlook

Chief Medical Officer Overview

Lead clinical operations and medical strategy for healthcare organizations.

Education

M.D. + MBA

Experience

15+ years

Industry

Healthcare

Total Jobs (US)

5K

5-Year Growth

+3%

Category

Healthcare

Hourly Rate

$168.27/hr

Monthly Pay

$29,167

Chief Medical Officer Salary Calculator

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

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

Estimated Chief Medical Officer Salary

$382,000

$31,833/month · $14,692/biweekly · $183.65/hr

Chief Medical Officer Salary Range

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

25th Percentile$290,000
$290K
Median (50th)$350,000
$350K
75th Percentile$400,000
$400K
90th Percentile$525,000
$525K
Top Earners$600,000
$600K

Entry-level Chief Medical Officers earn around $250,000, while the top 10% earn $525,000 or more.

Top Paying States for Chief Medical Officers

StateEst. Median Salaryvs National
California$413,000+$63,000
New York$402,000+$52,000
Massachusetts$392,000+$42,000
Illinois$364,000+$14,000
Texas$343,000$-7,000

Top Paying Cities for Chief Medical Officers

CityEst. Median Salaryvs National
San Francisco$438,000+$88,000
New York$413,000+$63,000
Boston$392,000+$42,000
Chicago$368,000+$18,000
Houston$347,000$-3,000

Required Skills & Certifications

Key Skills

Clinical LeadershipHealthcare StrategyQuality ImprovementRegulatory ComplianceBudget Management

Certifications

Board CertificationMBA

Chief Medical Officer Career Progression

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

Entry Level

$250,000

0-2 years

Mid Career

$350,000

3-7 years

Senior

$450,000

8-14 years

Lead / Expert

$600,000

15+ years

EntryExpert

Chief Medical Officer Salary FAQ

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