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 presidents that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of presidents:
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President/Chief Executive Officer is the highest-paid type of president with an average salary of $240,732 and an average hourly rate of $115.74.
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The second highest-paying type of president is executive vice president, with an average salary of $216,285.
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The average president salary is $192,329 per year, and the average hourly pay is $92.47.
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 a president, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of presidents are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of presidents:
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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.
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Executive Vice President
Average Salary: $216,285
An executive vice president is responsible for monitoring departmental operations, managing customer relationships, developing the company’s strategic goals, and identifying business opportunities that would maximize the company’s performance, drive revenues, and achieve the business’s profitability goals. Executive vice presidents contribute to sales innovations, negotiate business contracts, analyze financial reports, and minimize the company’s expenses without compromising high-quality operations and customer satisfaction. An executive vice president must have excellent leadership and communication skills to support its daily operations to achieve its long-term goals and objectives.
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President & Chief Operating Officer
Average Salary: $211,982
A president/chief operating officer is responsible for monitoring the overall daily business operations and implementing corporate decisions for the company and its people’s best interests. Presidents/chief operating officers regularly meet with the key executives and business partners to share corporate updates and strategize techniques to improve functions and increase the brand’s image in the market. They review financial performance and reports, conduct data and statistical analysis, and lead initiatives that would increase the company’s productivity and efficiency.
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Senior Vice President
Average Salary: $194,770
A Senior Vice President’s responsibilities vary according to the company or organization. Still, it mostly revolves around overseeing and leading a particular department’s activities and operations, reporting to the president and the board, evaluating the progress and performances of teams and employees, and maintaining constant communication with staff and management. Furthermore, A Senior Vice President is also involved in forming strategies that would benefit the sales of the company, seek innovative options, review documents, and ensure that the operations are up to the standards of the company’s policies and regulations.
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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.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various president that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Presidents
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 presidents.
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 President Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid president job?
The highest-paid president 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.
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What is a good salary for a president?
A good salary for a president is $192,329 or more. The average president salary is $192,329, so those making at least $192,329 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average president 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 a president, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $192,329 average, as this includes all presidents of all skill and experience levels.
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Do President jobs pay well?
Yes, president jobs pay well. As in any industry, some president jobs pay better than others, but the average president salary of $192,329 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many president jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of presidents earning $0 a year on average.
Presidents’ 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 a president. Do your research on the going rate for a president in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do presidents get paid the most?
Presidents get paid the most in New York. In New York, presidents earn an average annual salary of $185,448 and an average hourly wage of $89.16.
Following NY, the states with the highest-paid presidents are Illinois, New Jersey, and Texas, with average annual salaries of $177,899, $183,675, and $172,204 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid president salaries are:
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New York, NY – $210,207
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Newark, NJ – $207,178
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Springfield, IL – $203,583
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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.
