As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Financial Officer in California is $482,805 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $232.
However, a Chief Financial Officer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Chief Financial Officer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $540,397 | $45,033 | $10,392 | $260 |
| Average | $482,805 | $40,234 | $9,285 | $232 |
| 25th Percentile | $431,069 | $35,922 | $8,290 | $207 |
LourdMurray - Los Angeles, CA
Casa Familiar, Inc. - San Diego, CA
Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara, CA
SF Fire Credit Union - Fremont, CA
A Chief Financial Officer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Chief Financial Officer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Finance Senior Manager | 5+ years | $185,257 |
| Finance Director | 5+ years | $224,411 |
| VP of Finance | 5+ years | $275,904 |
| SVP of Finance | 5+ years | $327,355 |
| Chief Financial Officer | 5+ years | $482,805 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Chief Financial Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Understanding how a Chief Financial Officer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $540,397 | $45,033 | $10,392 | $260 |
| Average | $482,805 | $40,234 | $9,285 | $232 |
| 25th Percentile | $431,069 | $35,922 | $8,290 | $207 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chief Financial Officer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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