Research Summary. The Zippia data team has utilized a combination of publicly available government and company data, along with insights from thousands of job postings, to create average salary estimates for various positions across the U.S. This research highlights the vice president roles that offer the highest salaries, reflecting the evolving job market in 2026.
Here’s a summary of our findings on the highest-paying vice president positions:
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Executive Vice President remains the top-paid vice president role, with an average salary of $216,285 and an hourly rate of $103.98.
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Following closely is the Senior Vice President, earning an average salary of $194,770.
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The overall average salary for vice presidents stands at $158,637 annually, translating to an hourly pay of $76.27.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Selecting a career path can be challenging. While salary is not the sole consideration, it plays a crucial role in your decision-making. Understanding the highest-paid vice president roles can help you strategize your career advancement effectively.
Here are the top salaries for various vice president roles:
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Executive Vice President
Average Salary: $216,285
An executive vice president oversees departmental operations, nurtures customer relationships, shapes strategic objectives, and spots opportunities to enhance performance and profitability. They innovate sales strategies, negotiate contracts, analyze financial reports, and ensure efficient operations while maintaining high customer satisfaction. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential for achieving the company’s long-term goals.
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Senior Vice President
Average Salary: $194,770
A senior vice president’s role varies by organization but generally includes leading department operations, reporting to the president and board, assessing team performance, and maintaining communication with staff and management. They also develop strategies to boost sales and ensure compliance with company policies.
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Senior Vice President-Operations
Average Salary: $192,068
Senior Vice Presidents of Operations manage company operations, reporting directly to the CEO. They must possess a deep understanding of the company’s products and services, allowing them to devise effective strategies for enhancing performance across departments.
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Vice President & General Manager
Average Salary: $172,487
The vice president and general manager implements policies while overseeing operations. Their core duties include developing training programs to enhance workforce efficiency, crafting strategies to improve sales and customer satisfaction, and participating in budgeting and goal-setting. They typically report to top executives.
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Human Resources Vice President
Average Salary: $169,647
HR vice presidents are crucial to managing an organization’s HR department efficiently. They oversee staffing goals, establish strategies for productive operations, and manage employee benefits and performance evaluations. Strong leadership and extensive HR knowledge are vital for success in this role.
Below is a complete table displaying average salaries for various vice president positions, along with a detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Vice Presidents
Methodology
Zippia compiles salary data from publicly available sources including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Our team also reviews job postings and company resources for the latest salary information.
After gathering the data, we calculate a weighted average for each job title. For further details on our salary estimates, please refer to our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Vice President Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid vice president job?
The highest-paid vice president job is the Executive Vice President. Executive Vice Presidents earn an average salary of $216,285, equating to $103.98 hourly.
An executive vice president is responsible for monitoring departmental operations, managing customer relationships, developing the company’s strategic goals, and identifying business opportunities that maximize performance and profitability. They contribute to sales innovations, negotiate contracts, analyze financial reports, and minimize expenses while ensuring high-quality operations and customer satisfaction. Excellent leadership and communication skills are crucial for achieving long-term objectives.
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What is a good salary for a vice president?
A good salary for a vice president is $158,637 or more. This average salary indicates that those earning at least this amount are receiving above-average compensation.
However, consider that salaries can vary based on location, as companies often adjust pay scales to reflect local living costs. Researching average salaries in your area for similar roles can provide a clearer picture of your compensation.
If you are starting your career as a vice president, be aware that entry-level salaries may be lower, so don’t solely rely on the $158,637 average, which encompasses all experience levels.
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Do Vice President jobs pay well?
Yes, vice president positions generally offer competitive salaries. While some roles may pay better than others, the average vice president salary of $158,637 is significantly higher than the average national salary of approximately $44,225 annually.
Furthermore, many vice president positions present high earning potential, especially in the top 10% of the field.
Salaries for vice presidents fluctuate based on experience, industry, and location, so it’s essential to investigate the market rates for your expertise and be prepared to negotiate your salary accordingly.
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Where do vice presidents get paid the most?
Vice Presidents earn the highest salaries in New York. In New York, the average annual salary for vice presidents is $174,367, with an hourly wage of $83.83.
Following New York, the states with the highest vice president salaries include New Jersey, Washington, and Connecticut, with average salaries of $172,269, $170,607, and $170,727 respectively.
The cities with the highest vice president salaries are:
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San Francisco, CA – $182,517
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New York, NY – $178,805
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Seattle, WA – $177,567
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Author
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.
