Chief Executive Salary in Washington (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Chief Executives in Washington, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$339,810
per year
Hourly Rate
$163.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+59% vs US median
US median $213,990
State Rank
#2 of 46
3,170 employed here

How much does a Chief Executive make in Washington?

A Chief Executive working in Washington earns a median salary of $339,810 per year, or about $163.37 per hour. That is 59% above the national median of $213,990 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $160,110 while the top 10% make $607,100 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $216,230 and $442,180 a year.

Chief Executive salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$160,110$76.98
25th percentile (early career)$216,230$103.96
50th percentile (median)$339,810$163.37
75th percentile (experienced)$442,180$212.59
90th percentile (top earners)$607,100$291.88

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 2nd out of 46 states and territories for Chief Executive pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Oregon$341,630
2Washington$339,810
3Illinois$331,920
4North Carolina$314,290
5Virginia$310,740

Working as a Chief Executive in Washington

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 Washington pay ($339,810) 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 Washington?
The median Chief Executive salary in Washington is $339,810 per year, or about $163.37 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $160,110 at the entry level to $607,100 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Chief Executives about 59% more than the national median of $213,990. Washington ranks 2nd out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Chief Executives?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $339,810 a year. About 3,170 Chief Executives are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.