Mid-market ($50M-$1B revenue) CEO comp. Public-company CEO comp is a different universe (8-figure).
Pay scales steeply with tenure for CEO (Mid-Market)s. National figures, before regional adjustments.
| Experience | Median 2026 | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–1 yr) | $356,400 | $211,600 | $631,200 |
| Junior (2–4 yrs) | $443,000 | $263,000 | $784,500 |
| Mid-Level (5–9 yrs) | $509,200 | $302,400 | $901,800 |
| Senior (10–14 yrs) | $611,000 | $362,800 | $1,082,100 |
| Veteran (15+ yrs) | $692,500 | $411,200 | $1,226,400 |
Top 10 states by median CEO (Mid-Market) salary in 2026.
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $738,400 | $561,200 | $959,900 | +45% |
| New York | $712,900 | $541,800 | $926,800 | +40% |
| Washington DC | $712,900 | $541,800 | $926,800 | +40% |
| Washington | $662,000 | $503,100 | $860,600 | +30% |
| New Jersey | $641,600 | $487,600 | $834,100 | +26% |
| Massachusetts | $636,500 | $483,800 | $827,500 | +25% |
| Connecticut | $616,200 | $468,300 | $801,000 | +21% |
| Maryland | $611,100 | $464,400 | $794,400 | +20% |
| Colorado | $595,800 | $452,800 | $774,500 | +17% |
| Hawaii | $580,500 | $441,200 | $754,700 | +14% |
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $432,800 | $329,000 | $562,700 | -15% |
| North Dakota | $427,800 | $325,100 | $556,100 | -16% |
| Oklahoma | $427,800 | $325,100 | $556,100 | -16% |
| Wyoming | $427,800 | $325,100 | $556,100 | -16% |
| Alabama | $422,700 | $321,200 | $549,500 | -17% |
| Louisiana | $422,700 | $321,200 | $549,500 | -17% |
| Arkansas | $407,400 | $309,600 | $529,600 | -20% |
| South Dakota | $407,400 | $309,600 | $529,600 | -20% |
| Mississippi | $397,200 | $301,900 | $516,400 | -22% |
| West Virginia | $397,200 | $301,900 | $516,400 | -22% |
Metro-level pay frequently outpaces state averages — major metros concentrate higher wages.
Click any state for detailed breakdown by experience level and percentile.
The median is just a benchmark. Your exact market value also depends on your state, experience, and education. Use the free calculator for a personalized number.
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