Chief Marketing Officer Salary.
Across 30 U.S. cities.
$260,000
national median salary
$195,000 to $340,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$366,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$271,000
Philadelphia, PA
Lowest Paying
$197,000
Jackson, MS
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026.
The average Chief Marketing Officer salary in the United States is $260,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $195,000 at the 25th percentile to $340,000 at the 75th. San Jose pays the most at $366,000, while Philadelphia offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Industry, company revenue, and attribution to marketing-sourced pipeline are the strongest pay factors.
Chief Marketing Officer salary by city
What you should know
Industry, company revenue, and attribution to marketing-sourced pipeline are the strongest pay factors. CMOs at B2B SaaS companies with clear revenue attribution earn more than those in brand-heavy B2C roles. Experience with successful IPO marketing, category creation, or hypergrowth scaling commands premium compensation.
Directors of marketing earn $140,000 to $195,000. VPs of marketing advance to $185,000 to $270,000. CMOs at mid-market companies make $230,000 to $310,000. CMOs at large enterprises or public tech companies reach $320,000 to $420,000 in base with total comp of $600,000 to $1.5 million.
Performance bonuses of 25 to 50% of base tied to pipeline generation, brand metrics, and revenue targets are standard. Equity grants at growth companies add $100,000 to $500,000 in annualized value. Some CMOs negotiate marketing budget floors as part of their package.