CEO (Chief Executive Officer) Salary in California
The CEO (Chief Executive Officer) position in California nonprofit organizations encompasses executive leadership positions responsible for overall organizational strategy, governance, and mission delivery. This benchmark data reflects compensation trends from IRS Form 990 filings for organizations headquartered in California, providing transparent and verifiable salary information for this critical role.
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CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
California
Median Salary
$208,358
Range: $65,000 - $552,129 (10th - 90th percentile)
Based on 4,210 organizations (16,092 positions)
Compensation Distribution in California
| P10 | $65,000 |
| P25 | $132,964 |
| Median | $208,358 |
| P75 | $326,760 |
| P90 | $552,129 |
Understanding CEO (Chief Executive Officer) Compensation in California
The CEO (Chief Executive Officer) role is a critical position within nonprofit organizations in California. Compensation for this position varies based on several factors:
- Cost of Living: California's cost of living affects salary expectations, with metropolitan areas typically offering higher compensation.
- Organization Size: Larger nonprofits with bigger budgets typically offer higher compensation packages.
- Sector: Different nonprofit sectors (health, education, social services, etc.) have varying compensation norms.
- Local Market: Competition for talent in California and the density of nonprofit organizations influence salary ranges.
About This Data
This benchmark data is sourced from IRS Form 990 filings submitted by nonprofit organizations in California. Form 990 reports compensation for officers, directors, trustees, key employees earning over $150,000, and the five highest-compensated employees earning over $100,000. For general staff positions not covered by Form 990, we supplement with Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data.
Compare With Other States
Nonprofit compensation can vary significantly by state. Use our interactive tool to compare CEO (Chief Executive Officer) salaries across different states and filter by organization size and sector.
Related Job Titles
This position may also be known as: CEO, Chief Exec, C.E.O., CEO/President, President & CEO, Chief Executive, Executive Officer.
Related Roles
These positions are in the same peer group and may have similar compensation profiles in California:
Executive Director
316,251 records
President
188,073 records
President/CEO
108,893 records
COO (Chief Operating Officer)
67,032 records
Chairman
20,511 records
Executive Vice President
15,472 records
CHRO (Chief Human Resources Officer)
9,758 records
CPO (Chief Program Officer)
7,970 records
Managing Director
6,687 records
Chief of Staff
5,063 records
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