How Much Does a Chief Administrative Officer Make? (2025)
Knowing chief administrative officer salary helps highlight the value of this leadership role. CAOs oversee operations, including finance, maintenance, security, and procurement, with salaries varying by skills, experience, and location.
In the United States, the average salary for chief administrative officers in 2025 is $288,960 per year. The BLS projects a 6% growth in employment for top executives, including CAOs, from 2023 to 2033. This means leadership roles focused on efficiency and strategy will remain in demand.
Here are more details on CAO salary trends, top-paying industries, career advancement, and common questions about this job title.
Average Chief Administrative Officer Salary
As of January 01, 2025, chief administrative officer salary in the United States for 2025 is $288,960 per year, and this can be influenced by experience, location, and skills. The salary range for chief administrative officers is between $252,880 to $335,740, with most professionals earning between $220,031 and $378,331 per year.
2025 Chief Administrative Officer Average Salary: $288,960 per year ($139 per hour)
A chief administrative officer’s average monthly salary is $24,080, while the average weekly pay is $5,557. Meanwhile, the salary of a chief administrative officer per hour is $139, according to the Salary.com report.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $106 | $4,231 | $18,336 | $220,031 |
| 25th Percentile | $122 | $4,863 | $21,073 | $252,880 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $139 | $5,557 | $24,080 | $288,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $161 | $6,457 | $27,978 | $335,740 |
| 90th Percentile | $182 | $7,276 | $31,528 | $378,331 |
Chief Administrative Officer Salaries State by State
The salary for chief administrative officers differs across US states based on factors like minimum wage, job demand, location, and cost of living.
In the table below, the states with the lowest average annual salaries for production coordinators are Mississippi ($257,750), South Dakota ($259,770), and West Virginia ($260,060).
Meanwhile, the highest average annual salaries for chief administrative officers are in the District of Columbia ($321,610), California ($318,720), and New Jersey ($316,700).
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $314,680 |
| Alabama | $265,550 |
| Arkansas | $263,240 |
| Arizona | $281,450 |
| California | $318,720 |
| Colorado | $294,740 |
| Connecticut | $310,340 |
| District of Columbia | $321,610 |
| Delaware | $293,290 |
| Florida | $274,510 |
| Georgia | $279,420 |
| Hawaii | $301,960 |
| Iowa | $276,530 |
| Idaho | $269,600 |
| Illinois | $295,600 |
| Indiana | $280,290 |
| Kansas | $275,090 |
| Kentucky | $271,910 |
| Louisiana | $274,800 |
| Massachusetts | $314,390 |
| Maryland | $297,920 |
| Maine | $281,160 |
| Michigan | $285,200 |
| Minnesota | $295,600 |
| Missouri | $275,380 |
| Mississippi | $257,750 |
| Montana | $269,890 |
| North Carolina | $277,400 |
| North Dakota | $286,070 |
| Nebraska | $272,200 |
| New Hampshire | $293,870 |
| New Jersey | $316,700 |
| New Mexico | $266,420 |
| Nevada | $290,110 |
| New York | $308,030 |
| Ohio | $282,600 |
| Oklahoma | $267,290 |
| Oregon | $293,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $288,380 |
| Rhode Island | $301,670 |
| South Carolina | $272,780 |
| South Dakota | $259,770 |
| Tennessee | $267,580 |
| Texas | $282,890 |
| Utah | $274,800 |
| Virginia | $289,830 |
| Vermont | $283,470 |
| Washington | $311,500 |
| Wisconsin | $285,490 |
| West Virginia | $260,060 |
| Wyoming | $277,110 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Chief Administrative Officers?
The salary of chief administrative officers differs by city based on the cost of living, demand, and the local job market. So, where can a chief administrative officer earn the most?
For example, cities like San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland in California offer high average pay for chief administrative officers, which draws professionals to these areas.
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $362,640 |
| San Francisco, California | $361,200 |
| Oakland, California | $352,530 |
| New York, New York | $337,500 |
| Queens Village, New York | $335,190 |
| Paramus, New Jersey | $332,880 |
How Experience Affects Chief Administrative Officer Salary?
The salary of a chief administrative officer increases with experience. According to our report, an entry-level officer earns around $264,816 per year, while officers with more than 8 years of experience earn a median salary of $68,354.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Chief Administrative Officer | $264,816 |
| Intermediate Level Chief Administrative Officer | $268,023 |
| Senior Level Chief Administrative Officer | $272,299 |
| Specialist Level Chief Administrative Officer | $278,713 |
| Expert Level Chief Administrative Officer | $286,730 |
How to Increase Salary as a Chief Administrative Officer?
To increase salary as a chief administrative officer, prioritizing career advancement and acquiring high-value skills is essential. Here are some common advancements and skills for chief administrative officer:
Chief Administrative Officer Advancements
- Education: Pursuing advanced degrees like an MBA or certifications in business or public administration can improve your qualifications and lead to higher-level roles with more responsibilities and higher pay.
- Work experience: Advancing in a CAO role requires solid managerial experience, particularly in operations, finance, or administration. According to Salary.com, this includes gaining the business acumen and leadership experience needed to become a top function or division head.
- Licenses and certifications: Getting certifications like Certified Manager (CM) or Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) can boost your market value. These credentials show expertise and commitment, which can lead to promotions and salary increases.
Chief Administrative Officer Skills
Chief administrative officers with certain in-demand skills can increase their salaries. According to the Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, a chief administrative officer with spreadsheet software skills can earn a 9.49% salary increase, while those with event management may see a 6.97% increase.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Spreadsheet Software | 17.54% | +9.49% |
| Event Management | 16.28% | +6.97% |
| Vendor Relationship Management | 16.28% | +7.11% |
| Document Management | 16.18% | +6.86% |
| Vendor Management | 16.18% | +7.06% |
| Facilities Management | 16.18% | +6.88% |
Chief Administrative Officer Salary FAQs
Here are some common questions about this role:
How to become a Chief Administrative Officer?
To become a chief administrative officer, a bachelor's degree and significant work experience are required. CAOs need business knowledge and leadership experience to lead a top division. According to the BLS, important qualities for top executives, including CAOs, include communication, decision-making, leadership, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
What is another name for a Chief Administrative Officer?
Another name for a Chief Administrative Officer is Director of Administration, Chief Business Officer, or Executive Director, depending on the company. Some companies may also use titles like Head of Administration or Executive Director for similar roles.
What does a chief administrative officer do?
In human resources, a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) manages the daily operations of an organization, leads multiple departments, and drives strategic initiatives to achieve organizational goals.
- Manages the organization's operations and staff services
- Oversees financial operations, administration, facilities, security, and procurement.
- Creates budgets for each function
- Designs processes to improve efficiency and meet needs
- Sets performance goals and service standards
- Uses data to track and improve performance
- Manages a key business unit or division and provides administrative support.
- Sets direction and plans for major functions or areas of the business
What degree do you need to be a chief administrative officer?
To be a Chief Administrative Officer, you usually need a bachelor's degree in business administration, management, or a related field. Many CAOs also have a master's degree in business administration (MBA).
Is chief administrative officer the same as CEO?
No, a Chief Administrative Officer is not the same as a Chief Executive Officer. The CAO manages daily operations and internal services, while the CEO is in charge of the overall direction and strategy of the organization. Also, the CAO typically reports to the CEO.
Who does a CAO report to?
As mentioned, a Chief Administrative Officer usually reports to the Chief Executive Officer or sometimes the Chief Operating Officer, depending on the company.
