CEO.
Birmingham.
$236,000
median salary, 14% below the national average
$171,000 to $326,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Birmingham is 16% cheaper than the national average. For CEOs, that shakes out to a median of $236,000, with the full range spanning $171,000 to $326,000. Company stage, revenue scale, and industry sector are the primary salary determinants. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $213,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$153,000
to $189,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$201,000
to $248,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$260,000
to $307,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$295,000
to $366,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $59,000 to the total package.
Base
$236,000
Equity
$33,000
Bonus
$21,000
Signing
$5,000
Estimated total: $295,000
How Birmingham compares
Birmingham, AL
$236,000
Cost of living: 16% below average
National Average
$275,000
Birmingham is $39,000 below
CEO salary by city
Salary by role in Birmingham
What you should know
The CEO landscape in Birmingham is not what most salary sites will tell you. Birmingham is Alabama's largest metro, anchored by a major medical center, banking, and a growing innovation district. UAB is one of the state's largest employers and a driver of biomedical research jobs. The extremely low cost of living makes Birmingham a strong value for professionals in healthcare and finance. Company stage, revenue scale, and industry sector are the primary salary determinants. Public company CEOs and those at venture-backed late-stage startups command the highest base salaries. Geographic market and board composition also influence base pay, with coastal tech hubs offering the strongest packages.
VP-level leaders earn $180,000 to $250,000 before moving into C-suite. First-time CEOs at early-stage startups may take $120,000 to $200,000 with heavy equity. CEOs at mid-market companies earn $275,000 to $500,000. Large enterprise CEOs exceed $500,000 in base alone. In Birmingham, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 16% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Base salary often represents just 15 to 30% of total CEO compensation. Equity grants, performance bonuses tied to revenue or EBITDA targets, and long-term incentive plans can bring total compensation to $1 million to $10 million or more at scale companies. And on the tax side: alabama's top state income tax rate is 5%. Birmingham has no city income tax. The low rate combined with very affordable housing creates excellent take home pay ratios. When someone quotes you $236,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage UAB and the medical corridor when negotiating. Healthcare and biotech roles command nationally competitive salaries even in this low cost market. The range for CEOs in Birmingham runs from $171,000 to $326,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Chief Revenue Officer in Birmingham earns $238,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Birmingham is Chief AI Officer at $263,000
Common questions.
CEO salary in other cities
Other salaries in Birmingham
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