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CFO Salary and Equity in 2026
How much do CFOs expect to make at US-based startups? The average expected salary for CFOs in a startup is 157k per year, with a range from 50k to 358k. The salary range for CFOs varies depending on factors such as location, industry, experience, skills, and startup stage.
157.0k
Average Salary
5 years
Average years of experience
Salary
The average CFO salary is $157,042, which is 39.2% higher than the average startup salary of $112,833. CFO 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
$283,625/yr
Range $210k - $358k
Average
$157,042/yr
Range $85k - $260k
Below Average
$103,083/yr
Range $50k - $165k
Top Locations
The highest average salary a CFO can get in Los Angeles, that is $160,000. This pay is 1.9% higher than the average CFO salary in startups, which is $157,042. Salaries will vary based on your location. The top-paying markets in the US, on average, are currently: Los Angeles (avg $160,000 per year), London (avg $155,000 per year). Remote jobs often pay based on the location you reside in.
Industries
The highest average salary a CFO can get in Non Profit, that is $265,000. This pay is 35.2% higher than the average CFO salary, which is $196,000. The highest-paying industries in 2023 are: Non Profit (avg $265,000 per year), Electric Vehicles (avg $260,000 per year), Cryptocurrency (avg $225,000 per year).
Years of experience
Below Average
Average
Top of Market
The highest average salary a CFO can get with 10+ years of experience, that is $165,000. This pay is 5.1% higher than the average CFO salary, which is $157,042. The salary range varies with years of experience and depends on other factors such as skill set, size of company, and industry.
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