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Chief Executive Officer Salary in Houston, TX — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Houston's cost of living (index: 101). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Chief Executive Officer Salary in Houston — Key Numbers

$212,100
Median Salary
$121,200
25th Percentile
$378,750
75th Percentile
$505,000
90th Percentile
National median (Chief Executive Officer)$210,000
vs. National median+1.0%
Houston median household income$67,800
vs. City household income+212.8%

Cost of Living in Houston

Cost of Living Index
101(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$1,262/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio7.1%
Annual rent cost$15,144
Median Home Price$320,000
Home Price / Salary1.5×
20% Down Payment$64,000
Years to save (20% rate)1.5 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Houston

4.2%
Unemployment Rate
7,470,000
Metro Population
29 min
Avg Commute
34.5
Median Age

Houston has a metro population of 7,470,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 4.2% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Houston

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Take-Home Pay Calculator
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Cost of Living — Houston
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Rent vs. Buy in Houston
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Budget Planner
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Chief Executive Officer Salary in Texas
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Houston

Physician$231,593Dentist$177,265IT Manager$171,205Marketing Manager$159,196Lawyer$147,218HR Manager$137,714

Chief Executive Officer Salary — Other Texas Cities

Dallas, TX$220,500San Antonio, TX$193,200Austin, TX$254,100Fort Worth, TX$207,900El Paso, TX$176,400

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Chief Executive Officer make in Houston, TX?

The estimated median salary for a Chief Executive Officer in Houston is $212,100 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $210,000 adjusted by Houston's cost of living index (101). The typical salary range runs from $121,200 (25th percentile) to $378,750 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $505,000.

Is Houston affordable for a Chief Executive Officer?

On a $212,100 annual salary, a Chief Executive Officer in Houston would spend approximately 7.1% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,262/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Houston relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $320,000 is 1.5× the annual salary.

How does a Chief Executive Officer's salary compare to Houston's overall income?

Houston's median household income is $67,800. A Chief Executive Officer earning the city-adjusted median of $212,100 earns 212.8% more than the typical Houston household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Chief Executive Officer — NationalChief Executive Officer in TexasAll Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.