Top executives
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Top executives in the United States earn a median salary of $105,770 per year — about $51 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 4.0M people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +4%.
AI & Automation Risk
Top executives perform high-level knowledge work including financial analysis, strategic planning, and contract review, all of which are highly susceptible to AI augmentation. However, the core of the role involves human-centric responsibilities like leadership, high-stakes negotiation, and accountability to boards or the public, which provide a significant buffer against full automation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJBEST VALUE | $181,450 | Above avg (103.2) | $175,858 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $142,730 | Below avg (90.6) | $157,485 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $163,860 | Above avg (110.4) | $148,393 |
| Huntsville, AL | $136,340 | Below avg (93.1) | $146,489 |
| Rapid City, SD | $130,410 | Below avg (89.2) | $146,265 |
| Boulder, CO | $152,100 | Above avg (105.2) | $144,579 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $148,080 | Average (102.7) | $144,122 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $156,460 | Above avg (108.9) | $143,694 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $157,000 | Above avg (112.6) | $139,477 |
| Midland, TX | $132,420 | Below avg (95.8) | $138,250 |
| Vineland, NJ | $130,180 | Below avg (96.0) | $135,649 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $122,070 | Below avg (90.3) | $135,145 |
| Birmingham, AL | $123,560 | Below avg (91.6) | $134,826 |
| Decatur, AL | $117,380 | Below avg (87.2) | $134,592 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $142,330 | Above avg (105.8) | $134,550 |