Chief Executive salary in Virginia
Chief Executives in Virginia earn a median of $310,740 a year ($149.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $130,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $604,090 for the top 10%. That is 45% higher than the national median of $213,990. Virginia ranks 5th of 46 states for chief executives pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.2 chief executives per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $340,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chief executives in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $130,000 | $62.50 |
| 25th percentile | $193,700 | $93.12 |
| Median | $310,740 | $149.40 |
| 75th percentile | $434,580 | $208.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $604,090 | $290.43 |
| Average (mean) | $340,580 | $163.74 |
Half of chief executives earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $25,895 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $12,947.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $11,951.54 |
| Weekly | $5,975.77 |
| Hourly | $149.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chief Executive salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $326,160 | 820 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $317,900 | 180 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $297,350 | 530 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $264,970 | 40 |
| Roanoke, VA | $258,310 | 100 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $225,760 | 40 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $221,620 | 90 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $219,400 | 160 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $208,030 | 50 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $189,410 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for chief executives
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $341,630 |
| Washington | $339,810 |
| Illinois | $331,920 |
| North Carolina | $314,290 |
| Virginia | $310,740 |
| New Jersey | $310,440 |
| Connecticut | $295,120 |
| Hawaii | $281,640 |
| South Dakota | $280,900 |
| New York | $257,980 |
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $122,080 | $58.69 |
| Managers, All Other | $166,230 | $79.92 |
| Financial Manager | $185,220 | $89.05 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $201,490 | $96.87 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $129,270 | $62.15 |
| Sales Manager | $191,130 | $91.89 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $106,100 | — |
| Construction Manager | $119,110 | $57.26 |
| Marketing Manager | $187,820 | $90.30 |
| Human Resources Manager | $165,980 | $79.80 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $79,810 | $38.37 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $176,160 | $84.69 |
| Food Service Manager | $71,230 | $34.25 |
| Purchasing Manager | $166,230 | $79.92 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chief executive make in Virginia?
The median salary for chief executives in Virginia is $310,740 a year, or $149.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $130,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $604,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chief executives make in Virginia?
The top 10% of chief executives in Virginia earn at least $604,090 a year. The top 25% earn $434,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for chief executives in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $130,000 a year, and a quarter of chief executives earn $193,700 or less.
How many chief executives work in Virginia?
About 4,870 chief executives are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.