BLS national median · SOC 11-1011
$206,420
$99.24/hr · 2,080 hrs/yr
#7 · Management
Chief executives Salary
BLS OEWS May 2024 national median $206,420 ($99.24/hr on 2,080 hours). SOC 11-1011. Modeled 2026 take-home, training context, and career comparisons below.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Texas take-home at median
$153,655
25.6% effective
California take-home at median
$135,988
34.1% effective
Key takeaways — CEOs
- Chief executives ranks #7 of 92 on this hub with a $206,420 BLS May 2024 national median ($99.24/hr).
- Modeled Texas take-home at that median: $153,655 (25.6% effective employee levy rate). California: $135,988.
- One rank above: CRNAs at $223,210 (+$16,790).
- Bonuses, equity, overtime, and self-employment income are outside BLS OEWS cash-wage medians.
About Chief executives wages
The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes occupational employment and wage estimates (May 2024) by Standard Occupational Classification code. For Chief executives (SOC 11-1011), the national median annual wage is $206,420 — meaning half of workers in this occupation earn more and half earn less across the United States.
We convert that median to an hourly equivalent using 2,080 full-time hours per year, then apply our 2026 US paycheck model so you see modeled take-home, not just gross. That bridges BLS labor-market statistics with the same tax rules as our state calculators.
Use the compare tool to pit CEOs against another career, or open the paycheck calculator to model an offer above or below the published median.
Management · rank context
CEOs sits at rank #7 between CRNAs (#6, $223,210) and Dentists (#8, $179,210).
Training & licensing context
Management medians reflect people-leader roles with budget authority. Individual contributors in the same industry may sit below the manager SOC median.
Take-home at BLS median by state
Single filer, standard deduction, federal + state where applicable, employee payroll — gross equals the published BLS median.
| State | Take-home | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $153,655 | 25.6% |
| California | $135,988 | 34.1% |
| New York | $142,486 | 31.0% |
| Florida | $153,655 | 25.6% |
Myths vs facts
Myth: Every CEOs job pays the BLS median.
Fact: The median is a national midpoint. Entry roles, part-time schedules, and low-COL markets sit below; senior specialists in high-demand metros sit above.
Myth: Take-home at median is what you will net.
Fact: Our columns use a single-filer vignette at the BLS gross median. Marriage, dependents, 401(k), HSA, and local taxes change your actual paycheck.
Salary planning checklist
- Confirm the posting matches SOC 11-1011 (Chief executives)
- Compare Texas vs California take-home if relocation is on the table
- Read BLS percentile tables when published for this occupation
- Use metro paycheck examples when the employer names a city
- Model your exact gross in the US paycheck calculator
Common mistakes
- ✕Treating $206,420 as a universal offer for all experience levels
- ✕Ignoring licensing and training years when comparing to lower-medians with shorter paths
- ✕Skipping state tax when comparing two offers at similar gross medians
Compare CEOs to other careers
CEOs salary FAQs
BLS OEWS May 2024 lists a $206,420 national median (SOC 11-1011) — about $99.24/hr on a 2,080-hour year.
Modeled single-filer take-home at the BLS median: Texas $153,655, California $135,988, New York $142,486, Florida $153,655 (2026 rules).
#7 of 92 occupations on this hub by BLS national median wage.
Nurse anesthetists ranks #6 at $223,210 — $16,790 above CEOs.
Dentists ranks #8 at $179,210 — $27,210 below.
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