The average base salary for a CEO is $338,300 per year, an uptick of 1.6 percent from last year, according to the Executive Compensation 2011/2012 survey by Compdata Surveys.
Chief financial officers are also experiencing pay increases of 1.7 percent to $201,800, the survey finds. Presidents are now compensated $248,600, a growth from $241,900 in 2010. The average salary for treasurers hits $172,600, a 2.7 percent increase. Vice presidents are also earning more, at 2.1 percent above 2010 level.
"Though salaries for most executive jobs have begun to rebound, a few still have not yet reached levels seen prior to the recession," says Amy Kaminski, director of marketing for Compdata Surveys. "Companies may be increasing executive salaries in preparation of an economic turnaround, but most are taking a very cautious approach to those increases."
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When determining executive compensation, company size is the primary component, the survey reveals. In fact, presidents at companies with 1,001 to 5,000 full-time equivalents make $294,600 annually, while those with 501 to 1,000 full-time equivalents earn $278,900.
For companies with 201 to 500 full-time equivalents, presidents make an annual average of 256,900, and they earn $216,800 at organizations with 101 to 200 full-time equivalents. Among those with fewer than 100 full-time equivalents, the average salary is $200,300 per year.
The survey also finds that the various industries see a variety in salaries. While treasurers at health care organizations make an average $193,400, those in the hospitality industry earn lower salaries at an average of $188,700. Treasurer pay for Banking and finance organizations typically make $177,500, but those in utilities take home $171,600, and those at nonprofits earn an average of $154,200.
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