Chief Executive Officer Salary in Raleigh, NC — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Raleigh's cost of living (index: 105). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Chief Executive Officer Salary in Raleigh — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Raleigh
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 Raleigh
Raleigh has a metro population of 1,540,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 3.0% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Raleigh
Other Professions in Raleigh
Chief Executive Officer Salary — Other North Carolina Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Chief Executive Officer make in Raleigh, NC?
The estimated median salary for a Chief Executive Officer in Raleigh is $220,500 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $210,000 adjusted by Raleigh's cost of living index (105). The typical salary range runs from $126,000 (25th percentile) to $393,750 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $525,000.
Is Raleigh affordable for a Chief Executive Officer?
On a $220,500 annual salary, a Chief Executive Officer in Raleigh would spend approximately 6.2% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,131/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Raleigh relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $380,000 is 1.7× the annual salary.
How does a Chief Executive Officer's salary compare to Raleigh's overall income?
Raleigh's median household income is $75,200. A Chief Executive Officer earning the city-adjusted median of $220,500 earns 193.2% more than the typical Raleigh household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
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.