Chief Executives vs Financial Managers: Salary Comparison

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024).

National Salary Overview

Chief Executives

Median Salary
$173,235
Average (Mean)
$223,504
Employed Nationwide
128,370
VS

Financial Managers

Median Salary
$138,788
Average (Mean)
$157,192
Employed Nationwide
787,360
Chief Executives earns $34,447 more (24.8%)

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $173,235 $138,788
Average (Mean) Salary $223,504 $157,192
Total Employment 128,370 787,360
States with Higher Pay 30 4

Salary by State: Chief Executives vs Financial Managers

Showing 34 states where both occupations have BLS data. Chief Executives pays more in 30 states; Financial Managers pays more in 4.

State Chief Executives Financial Managers Difference
Alabama $165,320
$134,080
+$31,240
Alaska $156,610
$127,000
+$29,610
Arkansas $126,010
$101,230
+$24,780
California $231,080
$169,780
+$61,300
Colorado $179,900
$168,410
+$11,490
Delaware $168,280
$174,880
$-6,600
District of Columbia $206,690
$172,060
+$34,630
Florida $197,060
$135,780
+$61,280
Georgia $212,560
$159,620
+$52,940
Hawaii $223,900
$123,010
+$100,890
Idaho $218,220
$109,000
+$109,220
Indiana $207,610
$125,280
+$82,330
Iowa $136,650
$126,230
+$10,420
Kansas $148,910
$134,770
+$14,140
Kentucky $171,990
$122,770
+$49,220
Louisiana $158,180
$109,280
+$48,900
Maine $119,410
$129,630
$-10,220
Minnesota $192,230
$151,000
+$41,230
Mississippi $122,740
$95,830
+$26,910
Missouri $141,550
$130,990
+$10,560
Montana $172,240
$120,270
+$51,970
Nebraska $194,080
$132,510
+$61,570
New Hampshire $129,010
$140,380
$-11,370
New York $212,960
$215,430
$-2,470
Ohio $175,930
$131,610
+$44,320
Oklahoma $128,230
$125,430
+$2,800
Pennsylvania $200,560
$137,770
+$62,790
South Carolina $186,800
$125,270
+$61,530
Tennessee $171,940
$129,970
+$41,970
Utah $161,140
$132,200
+$28,940
Vermont $157,370
$113,430
+$43,940
West Virginia $172,090
$96,630
+$75,460
Wisconsin $206,810
$133,430
+$73,380
Wyoming $135,940
$110,660
+$25,280

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Chief Executives or Financial Managers?
On average across all states, a Chief Executives earns more than a Financial Managers. The national median salary difference is $34,447 (24.8%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Chief Executives earn more than a Financial Managers?
A Chief Executives earns a higher median salary than a Financial Managers in 30 out of 34 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Financial Managers pays more in 4 states.
What is the median salary for a Chief Executives vs Financial Managers?
The national median salary for a Chief Executives is $173,235 per year, compared to $138,788 for a Financial Managers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Chief Executives or Financial Managers?
There are more people employed as Financial Managers. BLS reports approximately 128,370 Chief Executives positions and 787,360 Financial Managers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Chief Executives or Financial Managers?
Both Chief Executives and Financial Managers are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.

Compare After-Tax Take-Home Pay

See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.