CFO.
Hartford.
$281,000
median salary, 8% above the national average
$211,000 to $373,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
A CFO in Hartford earns a median of $281,000 in 2026. That is 8% above the national average. The range runs from $211,000 to $373,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Company size measured by revenue and market capitalization drives the widest pay variation among CFOs.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $253,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$183,000
to $225,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$239,000
to $295,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$309,000
to $365,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$351,000
to $436,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $75,000 to the total package.
Base
$281,000
Equity
$42,000
Bonus
$27,000
Signing
$6,000
Estimated total: $356,000
How Hartford compares
Hartford, CT
$281,000
Cost of living: 8% above average
National Average
$260,000
Hartford is $21,000 above
CFO salary by city
Salary by role in Hartford
What you should know
The CFO landscape in Hartford is not what most salary sites will tell you. Hartford is the insurance capital of the world, home to Aetna, The Hartford, and Travelers. The city's financial services and defense sectors drive strong demand for actuarial, underwriting, and engineering talent. Proximity to New York and Boston creates a competitive salary environment. Company size measured by revenue and market capitalization drives the widest pay variation among CFOs. Fortune 500 CFOs earn three to five times more than mid-market counterparts. Industry also matters, with technology, financial services, and pharmaceutical CFOs commanding the highest packages. IPO and M&A transaction experience adds further premium.
VP of Finance roles pay $180,000 to $260,000 in base salary. CFOs at small companies ($10 million to $50 million revenue) earn $175,000 to $250,000. Mid-market CFOs ($50 million to $500 million) earn $250,000 to $400,000. Enterprise CFOs at $1 billion or more revenue companies command $400,000 to $800,000 base. In Hartford, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. CFO total compensation far exceeds base salary. Annual bonuses of 40 to 75% of base, equity grants worth $200,000 to $2 million or more at public companies, and long-term incentive plans are standard. Total compensation at large companies commonly reaches $800,000 to $5 million. And on the tax side: connecticut's top income tax rate is 6.99%. Hartford has no city income tax, but the state rate is among the higher ones in the Northeast. When someone quotes you $281,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight specialized insurance or actuarial credentials. Hartford employers pay national rates for niche financial expertise and struggle to compete with New York for top talent. The range for CFOs in Hartford runs from $211,000 to $373,000. 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 VP of Engineering in Hartford earns $284,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Hartford is Chief AI Officer at $341,000
Common questions.
CFO salary in other cities
Other salaries in Hartford
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.