C-suite finance role. At public companies, equity routinely doubles cash comp.
Pay scales steeply with tenure for Chief Financial Officers. National figures, before regional adjustments.
| Experience | Median 2026 | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–1 yr) | $268,400 | $164,900 | $434,900 |
| Junior (2–4 yrs) | $333,600 | $205,000 | $540,500 |
| Mid-Level (5–9 yrs) | $383,500 | $235,700 | $621,300 |
| Senior (10–14 yrs) | $460,200 | $282,800 | $745,500 |
| Veteran (15+ yrs) | $521,500 | $320,500 | $844,900 |
Top 10 states by median Chief Financial Officer salary in 2026.
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $575,200 | $437,200 | $747,800 | +50% |
| California | $544,600 | $413,900 | $707,900 | +42% |
| Washington DC | $536,900 | $408,000 | $698,000 | +40% |
| Massachusetts | $498,500 | $378,900 | $648,100 | +30% |
| Washington | $498,500 | $378,900 | $648,100 | +30% |
| New Jersey | $483,200 | $367,200 | $628,200 | +26% |
| Connecticut | $464,000 | $352,700 | $603,200 | +21% |
| Maryland | $460,200 | $349,800 | $598,300 | +20% |
| Colorado | $448,700 | $341,000 | $583,300 | +17% |
| Hawaii | $437,200 | $332,300 | $568,300 | +14% |
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $326,000 | $247,700 | $423,800 | -15% |
| North Dakota | $322,100 | $244,800 | $418,800 | -16% |
| Oklahoma | $322,100 | $244,800 | $418,800 | -16% |
| Wyoming | $322,100 | $244,800 | $418,800 | -16% |
| Alabama | $318,300 | $241,900 | $413,800 | -17% |
| Louisiana | $318,300 | $241,900 | $413,800 | -17% |
| Arkansas | $306,800 | $233,200 | $398,800 | -20% |
| South Dakota | $306,800 | $233,200 | $398,800 | -20% |
| Mississippi | $299,100 | $227,300 | $388,900 | -22% |
| West Virginia | $299,100 | $227,300 | $388,900 | -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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