North Carolina Median
$314,290
per year
Hourly Rate
$151.10
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+47% vs US median
US median $213,990
State Rank
#4 of 46
1,930 employed here
How much does a Chief Executive make in North Carolina?
Chief Executives in North Carolina take home a median of $314,290 annually — roughly $151.10 an hour — which runs 47% above the national median of $213,990.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $114,210 while the top 10% make $624,990 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $182,980 and $442,080 a year.
Chief Executive salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $114,210 | $54.91 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $182,980 | $87.97 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $314,290 | $151.10 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $442,080 | $212.54 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $624,990 | $300.48 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 4th out of 46 states and territories for Chief Executive pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chief Executive salary in other states
Oregon $341,630Washington $339,810Illinois $331,920Virginia $310,740New Jersey $310,440Connecticut $295,120Hawaii $281,640South Dakota $280,900New York $257,980Texas $257,850Michigan $255,560Indiana $254,180Maryland $248,660Rhode Island $235,360Pennsylvania $232,560California $218,600Nebraska $214,680Colorado $213,370Iowa $211,190Wisconsin $208,350Georgia $208,180Delaware $199,990Tennessee $198,830Minnesota $195,670Montana $182,340Kentucky $179,530Idaho $177,210Ohio $176,440Vermont $175,070Missouri $172,320Utah $171,880South Carolina $168,840New Hampshire $168,590Alaska $166,710Alabama $166,420North Dakota $164,560Oklahoma $163,790Kansas $158,100West Virginia $151,950Nevada $149,770Wyoming $147,940Mississippi $139,250Maine $138,770New Mexico $123,500Arkansas $119,990
Working as a Chief Executive in North Carolina
Nationally, about 204,000 people work as Chief Executives in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($314,290) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Chief Executive make in North Carolina?
The median Chief Executive salary in North Carolina is $314,290 per year, or about $151.10 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $114,210 at the entry level to $624,990 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Chief Executives about 47% more than the national median of $213,990. North Carolina ranks 4th out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Chief Executives?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $314,290 a year. About 1,930 Chief Executives are employed in North Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Chief Executive salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.