Chief Executives Salary
Chief Executives in Washington make a median of $339,810 a year, or about $163.37 an hour. The range runs from $160K at the entry level to $607K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $333,114 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 8.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $340K get you in Washington?
About chief executives
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for chief executives, local pay runs about 59% higher than the U.S. median of $214K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 9.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Washington offers a genuinely strong financial position for chief executivess at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level chief executives (10th percentile) start around $160K. Mid-career wages sit at $340K. Top earners bring in $607K or more, a $447K spread from bottom to top.
Chief Executives salary by metro in Washington
9 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $370K | +9% | 2,060 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $287K | -15% | 70 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $268K | -21% | 60 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $261K | -23% | 160 |
| Yakima | $238K | -30% | 50 |
| Bellingham | $237K | -30% | 70 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $211K | -38% | 30 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $207K | -39% | 30 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $204K | -40% | 130 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a chief executif afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $340K, rent takes 9.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for chief executives in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new chief executives typically earn — is $160K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $9,607/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 19% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is chief executif a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 59% above the national median — $340K here vs. $214K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for chief executives?
Washington pays $340K median vs. the U.S. average of $214K — that’s +59%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $333K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do chief executives make in Washington?
The median is $339,810 a year, that works out to about $163 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $160,110, and experienced chief executives can clear $607,100. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $340K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $19,956/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 9.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a chief executives salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chief executives salary is worth about $333,114 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chief executives get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.