Highest-Paying Executive Director Jobs in 2026
Research Summary. The Zippia data team has analyzed a combination of public government and company data, as well as insights from thousands of job postings, to create accurate salary estimates for executive director roles across the US. This analysis has identified the highest-paying executive director positions based on average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of executive directors in 2026:
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President/Chief Executive Officer ranks as the highest-paid executive director, with an average salary of $240,732 and an hourly rate of $115.74.
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The second highest-paying executive director role is that of Executive Vice President, earning an average salary of $216,285.
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The average salary for executive directors stands at $127,956 annually, with an average hourly wage of $61.52.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be daunting, and while salary is an important consideration, it shouldn’t be the sole factor in your decision. For those aspiring to become executive directors, understanding which positions offer the highest pay can help inform your career strategy.
Here are the top salaries for various executive director roles:
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President/Chief Executive Officer
Average Salary: $240,732
The president/chief executive officer is the highest authority in a company, responsible for leading the organization by implementing corporate strategies and fostering its development. This role requires crafting strategic plans, enforcing policies, directing the company’s vision, and serving as the public face of the organization. Additionally, effective communication with the board of directors and coordination with employees is crucial.
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Executive Vice President
Average Salary: $216,285
An executive vice president oversees departmental operations, manages customer relationships, and develops strategic goals to enhance company performance. This role involves analyzing financial reports, negotiating contracts, and driving innovations while ensuring high-quality operations and customer satisfaction.
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Chief Executive Officer
Average Salary: $192,260
The chief executive officer is tasked with making pivotal corporate decisions that shape the company’s market performance. This role necessitates exceptional leadership and decision-making skills to drive growth and maintain relationships with business partners.
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Vice President Of Programming
Average Salary: $142,967
A vice president of programming organizes schedules and negotiates contracts with media producers to facilitate advertising campaigns. This role also involves managing technical aspects of operations and ensuring budget and resource allocation efficiency.
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Chief Operating Officer
Average Salary: $136,604
The chief operating officer oversees daily operations and administrative functions, reporting directly to the CEO. Key responsibilities include strategy development, policy implementation, and staff management to achieve organizational goals.
Below is a comprehensive table detailing the average salaries for various executive director roles, followed by an explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Executive Directors
Methodology
The Zippia team utilizes publicly available data from government sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to derive salary estimates.
Our data science team also reviews job postings and company resources for updated salary information relevant to executive directors.
After gathering the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title. For more insights regarding our salary estimates, refer to our detailed methodology.
FAQs on Highest-Paying Executive Director Jobs
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What is the highest-paid executive director job?
The highest-paid executive director job is that of a president/chief executive officer. This position offers an average salary of $240,732, or $115.74 per hour.
As the highest authority in a company, a president/chief executive officer oversees the implementation of corporate strategies and organizational development, crafts strategic plans, enforces policies, and acts as the public representative of the company. They maintain communication with the board of directors and coordinate with employees.
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What is a good salary for an executive director?
A good salary for an executive director is $127,956 or more. As the average salary for this role is $127,956, earning this amount indicates above-average compensation.
However, keep in mind that average salaries can vary significantly by location and industry. Research the average salary in your specific area and field to gauge your competitive standing, especially if you’re at the beginning of your executive director career.
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Do Executive Director jobs pay well?
Yes, executive director jobs generally offer high pay. While salaries can differ based on industry and specific roles, the average salary of $127,956 is notably higher than the average national salary of approximately $44,225 per year.
Many executive director positions have substantial earning potential, with the top 10% earning significantly more. Salaries can fluctuate based on experience, industry, and location, so conduct thorough research and be prepared to negotiate your salary.
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Where do executive directors earn the most?
Executive directors earn the most in Connecticut. In Connecticut, the average annual salary for executive directors is $126,816, with an hourly wage of $60.97.
Following Connecticut, the states with the highest salaries for executive directors include New Jersey, Delaware, and Texas, where average annual salaries are $126,558, $120,413, and $116,508 respectively.
Additionally, the cities with the highest-paying executive director roles are:
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New York, NY – $150,937
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Palo Alto, CA – $133,268
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Hartford, CT – $128,485
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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.
