National Salary Overview
VS
Chief Executives earns $61,877 more (41.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$212,618
$150,741
Average (Mean) Salary
$263,025
$168,791
Total Employment
145,980
841,710
States with Higher Pay
44
2
Salary by State: Chief Executives vs Financial Managers
Showing 46 states where both occupations have BLS data. Chief Executives pays more in 44 states; Financial Managers pays more in 2.
| State | Chief Executives | Financial Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $166,420 | $140,500 | +$25,920 | ||
| Alaska | $166,710 | $127,030 | +$39,680 | ||
| Arkansas | $119,990 | $116,570 | +$3,420 | ||
| California | $218,600 | $180,770 | +$37,830 | ||
| Colorado | $213,370 | $182,690 | +$30,680 | ||
| Connecticut | $295,120 | $174,830 | +$120,290 | ||
| Delaware | $199,990 | $181,580 | +$18,410 | ||
| Georgia | $208,180 | $166,790 | +$41,390 | ||
| Hawaii | $281,640 | $134,210 | +$147,430 | ||
| Idaho | $177,210 | $127,210 | +$50,000 | ||
| Illinois | $331,920 | $165,880 | +$166,040 | ||
| Indiana | $254,180 | $135,840 | +$118,340 | ||
| Iowa | $211,190 | $133,320 | +$77,870 | ||
| Kansas | $158,100 | $159,380 | $-1,280 | ||
| Kentucky | $179,530 | $130,650 | +$48,880 | ||
| Maine | $138,770 | $133,610 | +$5,160 | ||
| Maryland | $248,660 | $158,750 | +$89,910 | ||
| Michigan | $255,560 | $139,370 | +$116,190 | ||
| Minnesota | $195,670 | $163,410 | +$32,260 | ||
| Mississippi | $139,250 | $111,390 | +$27,860 | ||
| Missouri | $172,320 | $143,460 | +$28,860 | ||
| Montana | $182,340 | $131,060 | +$51,280 | ||
| Nebraska | $214,680 | $140,360 | +$74,320 | ||
| Nevada | $149,770 | $132,490 | +$17,280 | ||
| New Hampshire | $168,590 | $144,730 | +$23,860 | ||
| New Jersey | $310,440 | $199,110 | +$111,330 | ||
| New Mexico | $123,500 | $133,700 | $-10,200 | ||
| New York | $257,980 | $219,880 | +$38,100 | ||
| North Carolina | $314,290 | $166,780 | +$147,510 | ||
| North Dakota | $164,560 | $135,890 | +$28,670 | ||
| Ohio | $176,440 | $140,870 | +$35,570 | ||
| Oklahoma | $163,790 | $132,460 | +$31,330 | ||
| Oregon | $341,630 | $156,460 | +$185,170 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $232,560 | $145,610 | +$86,950 | ||
| Rhode Island | $235,360 | $166,940 | +$68,420 | ||
| South Carolina | $168,840 | $136,160 | +$32,680 | ||
| South Dakota | $280,900 | $159,700 | +$121,200 | ||
| Tennessee | $198,830 | $141,010 | +$57,820 | ||
| Texas | $257,850 | $164,860 | +$92,990 | ||
| Utah | $171,880 | $150,450 | +$21,430 | ||
| Vermont | $175,070 | $128,690 | +$46,380 | ||
| Virginia | $310,740 | $185,220 | +$125,520 | ||
| Washington | $339,810 | $174,840 | +$164,970 | ||
| West Virginia | $151,950 | $113,140 | +$38,810 | ||
| Wisconsin | $208,350 | $139,720 | +$68,630 | ||
| Wyoming | $147,940 | $124,910 | +$23,030 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Chief Executives vs Financial Managers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $61,877 (41.0%) based on 2025 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 44 out of 46 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Financial Managers pays more in 2 states.
What is the median salary for a Chief Executives vs Financial Managers?
The national median salary for a Chief Executives is $212,618 per year, compared to $150,741 for a Financial Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Chief Executives or Financial Managers?
There are more people employed as Financial Managers. BLS reports approximately 145,980 Chief Executives positions and 841,710 Financial Managers positions nationwide (2025).
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.
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