Salaries › Chief Executive (CEO) › California
Chief Executive (CEO) Salary in California (2026)
$105.10 per hour · take-home ≈ $146,315/year ($12,193/month) for a single filer
California ranks 17th of 47 states for Chief Executive (CEO) pay, with a median about 3% below the national average. Of the 34,700 Chief Executive (CEO) jobs BLS counts in California, the typical worker earns $218,600 a year — though pay ranges from $85,790 for newcomers to $486,830 at the top.
Chief Executive (CEO) pay range in California
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $85,790 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $133,610 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $218,600 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $351,090 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $486,830 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 34,700 Chief Executive (CEO) jobs in California (occupation code 11-1011, “Chief Executives”).
Gross vs. take-home in California
A median Chief Executive (CEO) salary of $218,600 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax, a single filer keeps about $146,315 — an effective tax rate of 33.1%.
| Gross (median) | $218,600 |
| Federal income tax | −$41,256 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$14,776 |
| California state income tax | −$16,253 |
| Take-home (annual) | $146,315 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $12,193 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free California paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chief Executive (CEO) make in California?
- The median Chief Executive (CEO) salary in California is $218,600 per year ($105.10 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $133,610 and $351,090.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chief Executive (CEO) in California?
- On the median salary of $218,600, a single filer in California takes home about $146,315 per year ($12,193 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 33.1%.
- How many Chief Executive (CEO) jobs are there in California?
- BLS counts 34,700 Chief Executive (CEO) jobs in California in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chief Executive (CEO)s
Other salaries in California
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified California state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for California.