Highest-Paying Owner Jobs [2023]

Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of owners that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.

Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of owners:

• President/Chief Executive Officer is the highest-paid type of owner with an average salary of $240,732 and an average hourly rate of $115.74.

• The second highest-paying type of owner is president, with an average salary of $192,329.

• The average owner salary is $90,334 per year, and the average hourly pay is $43.43.

Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs

Background

Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as an owner, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of owners are so that you can plan your career progression.

Here are the top salaries for different types of owners:

1. President/Chief Executive Officer

   Average Salary: $240,732

   Considered as the highest authority in a company, a president/chief executive officer is in charge of leading the company by implementing corporate decisions and shaping the organization to its fullest extent. They must craft strategic plans and guidelines, enforce policies and standards, direct the vision and mission, and address the public as the head of the company. Furthermore, a president/chief executive officer must maintain an active line of communication at all times as they must report to a board of directors and coordinate with other company employees.

2. President

   Average Salary: $192,329

   Presidents are usually the highest-level executives in an organization. They oversee the whole company. They identify clear goals and provide strategic direction as the company works towards the achievement of their overall vision. Presidents are the decision-makers in the company. They make crucial decisions to ensure that the company continues to grow and survives challenges that come their way. They are expected to consider all stakeholders, from the board of directors and employees to the customers in their decision-making process. Presidents also represent the company in external functions, especially during high-level events. As such, they are expected to be professional, well-mannered, and good communicators.

3. Chief Executive Officer

   Average Salary: $192,260

   A chief executive officer is the overall head of the company’s operations. Chief executive officers are responsible for making corporate decisions that would define the company’s performance in the market. A chief executive officer must display exceptional leadership and decision-making skills to create business growth and development strategies. The chief executive officers also provide a regular business update to the board regarding the company’s status. They should also be able to identify business opportunities and create long-lasting, professional relationships with business partners and other organizations.

4. Owner/Operator

   Average Salary: $167,288

   Owners/operators manage the business in all aspects, especially in those related to operations. They ensure that every aspect of the business is running smoothly. They oversee finance, marketing, logistics, sales, and even the human resources of the whole organization. They set business goals, create action plans to achieve them, and make sure that the plans are followed through. They set strategic direction and make business decisions that would be the most beneficial to the organization. They ensure that the business has enough funds to continue operating and that the quality of the products and services they offer continuously improve.

5. Vice President

   Average Salary: $158,637

Below is a full table of the average pay for various owner that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Owners

Methodology

Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.

Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for owners.

Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Owner Jobs FAQs

1. What is the highest-paid owner job?

   The highest-paid owner job is a president/chief executive officer. President/Chief Executive Officers earn an average salary of $240,732, which is $ 115.74 hourly.

   Considered as the highest authority in a company, a president/chief executive officer is in charge of leading the company by implementing corporate decisions and shaping the organization to its fullest extent. They must craft strategic plans and guidelines, enforce policies and standards, direct the vision and mission, and address the public as the head of the company. Furthermore, a president/chief executive officer must maintain an active line of communication at all times as they must report to a board of directors and coordinate with other company employees.

2. What is a good salary for an owner?

   A good salary for an owner is $90,334 or more. The average owner salary is $90,334, so those making at least $90,334 are earning above-average paychecks.

   Keep in mind, however, that the average owner salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.

   In addition, if you’re just starting your career as an owner, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $90,334 average, as this includes all owners of all skill and experience levels.

3. Do Owner jobs pay well?

   Yes, owner jobs pay well. As in any industry, some owner jobs pay better than others, but the average owner salary of $90,334 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.

   In addition to this, many owner jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of owners earning $0 a year on average.

   Owners’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as an owner. Do your research on the going rate for an owner in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.

4. Where do owners get paid the most?

   Owners get paid the most in West Virginia. In West Virginia, owners earn an average annual salary of $108,058 and an average hourly wage of $51.95.

   Following WV, the states with the highest-paid owners are Delaware, New York, and Michigan, with average annual salaries of $129,855, $134,092, and $109,626 respectively.

   The cities with the highest-paid owner salaries are:

   1. New York, NY – $134,539

   2. Washington, DC – $121,655

   3. Manassas, VA – $121,448

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.