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CEO Salary and Equity in 2024

How much do CEOs expect to make at US-based startups? The average expected salary for CEOs in a startup is 105k per year, with a range from 7k to 460k. The salary range for CEOs varies depending on factors such as location, industry, experience, skills, and startup stage.

105.0k

Average Salary

4 years

Average years of experience

Hiring data hero image

Salary

By quarter
The average CEO salary is $105,000, which is 3.5% higher than the average startup salary of $101,417. CEO salaries are based on exclusive Wellfound data. All data is updated on a weekly basis. Factors that may influence salary include: location, years of experience, title, size of company, skill-set, and industry.

Top of market

$256,833/yr

Range $187k - $460k

Average

$105,000/yr

Range $65k - $160k

Below Average

$65,083/yr

Range $7k - $92k


Top Locations

The highest average salary a CEO can get in Austin, that is $215,000. This pay is 104.8% higher than the average CEO salary in startups, which is $105,000. Salaries will vary based on your location. The top-paying markets in the US, on average, are currently: Austin (avg $215,000 per year), Boston (avg $215,000 per year), Denver (avg $115,000 per year). Remote jobs often pay based on the location you reside in.

Industries

The highest average salary a CEO can get in United States, that is $225,000. This pay is 58.6% higher than the average CEO salary, which is $141,900. The highest-paying industries in 2023 are: United States (avg $225,000 per year), Real Estate (avg $210,000 per year), Education Technology (avg $137,000 per year).

Years of experience

Below Average

Average

Top of Market

The highest average salary a CEO can get with 10+ years of experience, that is $80,000. This pay is 23.8% lower than the average CEO salary, which is $105,000. The salary range varies with years of experience and depends on other factors such as skill set, size of company, and industry.