Highest-Paying Owner Jobs in 2026
Research Summary: Drawing from a variety of public government and company data, along with insights from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has produced average salary estimates for jobs across the United States. This analysis has allowed us to pinpoint the highest-paid owner positions based on their average annual salaries.
Here’s a breakdown of our findings regarding the highest-paying owner roles:
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President/Chief Executive Officer leads as the highest-paid owner position, with an average salary of $240,732 and an hourly rate of $115.74.
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The second highest-earning role is President, averaging $192,329 annually.
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The overall average salary for owners stands at $90,334 per year, translating to an hourly wage of $43.43.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Deciding on a career path can be challenging, and while salary should not be the sole consideration, it plays a crucial role in your decision-making. For those aspiring to be owners, understanding which positions yield the highest compensation can help inform your career trajectory and strategy.
Here are the top salaries for various owner roles:
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President/Chief Executive Officer
Average Salary: $240,732
As the highest authority within a company, a President/Chief Executive Officer is responsible for steering the organization through strategic planning, policy enforcement, and public representation. This role necessitates strong communication skills to maintain connections with the board of directors and staff alike.
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President
Average Salary: $192,329
Presidents typically serve as the highest-ranking executives, overseeing the organization and providing strategic direction to achieve its vision. They are key decision-makers, considering stakeholders at all levels, including the board, employees, and customers.
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Chief Executive Officer
Average Salary: $192,260
Chief Executive Officers lead their companies and are responsible for pivotal corporate decisions that influence market performance. They are expected to exhibit exceptional leadership, regularly updating the board on company status and identifying growth opportunities.
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Owner/Operator
Average Salary: $167,288
Owner/Operators handle all aspects of business management, ensuring smooth operations across finance, marketing, logistics, and human resources. They set strategic goals and ensure that the business maintains adequate funding and quality in its offerings.
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Vice President
Average Salary: $158,637
Below is a complete table of the average pay for various owner roles, followed by a detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Owner Positions
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | President/Chief Executive Officer | |
| 2 | President | |
| 3 | Chief Executive Officer | |
| 4 | Owner/Operator | |
| 5 | Vice President | |
| 6 | Managing Partner | |
| 7 | Chief Finance Officer | |
| 8 | Chief Operating Officer | |
| 9 | Executive Director | |
| 10 | Managing Owner | |
| 11 | Product Owner | |
| 12 | Manager/Partner | |
| 13 | Owner/Project Manager | |
| 14 | Operating Partner | |
| 15 | General Manager/Partner | |
| 16 | Manager/Marketing Director | |
| 17 | Entrepreneur | |
| 18 | Manager | |
| 19 | Business Owner | |
| 20 | Co-Owner/Operator |
Methodology
The Zippia team utilizes publicly available data 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 generate salary estimates.
Our data scientists also analyze job postings and publicly available resources to gather current salary information for owner roles.
After compiling the data, we calculate a weighted average for each job title. For further details on our salary methodology, please visit our detailed methodology page.
FAQs on Highest-Paying Owner Jobs
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What is the highest-paid owner job?
The highest-paid owner job is that of a President/Chief Executive Officer. This role commands an average salary of $240,732, equating to approximately $115.74 per hour.
As the leading authority in a company, the President/Chief Executive Officer implements corporate strategy and shapes the organization’s direction. Their responsibilities include strategic planning, policy enforcement, and public representation, while maintaining communication with the board and company staff.
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What is a good salary for an owner?
A good salary for an owner is $90,334 or more. This figure represents the average salary for owner positions, indicating that those earning at least this amount are above the average pay scale.
It’s essential to note that owner salaries can vary based on location, as companies typically adjust pay based on the cost of living. Researching local salary averages for your expertise and experience level will provide a more accurate gauge of your compensation.
For those just starting as owners, keep in mind that entry-level salaries may be lower, so the $90,334 average includes owners across all experience levels.
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Do owner jobs pay well?
Yes, owner jobs generally pay well. While salary levels can vary within the industry, the average owner salary of $90,334 is significantly higher than the national average salary of about $44,225 per year.
Additionally, many owner roles have substantial earning potential, particularly within the top 10% of earners.
Salary levels for owners can fluctuate based on experience, industry, and geographic location, so be sure to conduct thorough research on current market rates and negotiate salaries accordingly.
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Where do owners earn the highest salaries?
Owners earn the highest salaries in West Virginia. In this state, the average annual salary for owners is $108,058, with an hourly wage of $51.95.
Following West Virginia, the states that offer the highest average salaries for owners are Delaware, New York, and Michigan, with average annual earnings of $129,855, $134,092, and $109,626, respectively.
The cities with the most lucrative owner salaries include:
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New York, NY – $134,539
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Washington, DC – $121,655
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Manassas, VA – $121,448
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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.
