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 | Average (102.4) | $177,166 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $142,730 | Below avg (90.1) | $158,429 |
| Boulder, CO | $152,100 | Average (100.6) | $151,172 |
| Huntsville, AL | $136,340 | Below avg (93.8) | $145,338 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $163,860 | Above avg (113.1) | $144,933 |
| Rapid City, SD | $130,410 | Below avg (90.3) | $144,423 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $148,080 | Above avg (103.3) | $143,359 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $156,460 | Above avg (109.5) | $142,830 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $157,000 | Above avg (112.6) | $139,376 |
| Midland, TX | $132,420 | Below avg (95.4) | $138,830 |
| Vineland, NJ | $130,180 | Below avg (93.9) | $138,615 |
| Birmingham, AL | $123,560 | Below avg (91.8) | $134,648 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $142,330 | Above avg (105.8) | $134,568 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $122,130 | Below avg (90.9) | $134,362 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $131,810 | Average (98.9) | $133,269 |