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CEO.

Omaha.

$232,000

median salary, 16% below the national average

$169,000 to $321,000. Last updated August 2026.

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Data points to own the conversation.

If you are evaluating a CEO offer in Omaha, NE, here is the reality: $169,000 to $321,000, with $232,000 as the midpoint. 16% below the national average. Company stage, revenue scale, and industry sector are the primary salary determinants. Do not accept the first number. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page.

Salary range.

25th Percentile

$169,000

per year

Median

$232,000

per year

75th Percentile

$321,000

per year

Where do you fall?

$169,000$321,000

Orbyt estimate for CEO in Omaha, modelled from national occupation wages adjusted for local cost of living. The published government benchmark for this occupation is below.

Government benchmark for this occupation

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $228,220 for Chief Executives (SOC 11-1011) in the Omaha, NE-IA metropolitan area, based on 1,330 employed workers (May 2025 release).

10th percentile

$105,770

25th percentile

$163,040

Median

$228,220

75th percentile

$381,900

90th percentile

$530,980

Workers surveyed

1,330

BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Chief Executives (SOC 11-1011) rather than CEO specifically. The Omaha range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.

View the BLS source for SOC 11-1011

Salary by experience.

The gap between entry and lead level is typically $209,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.

Entry (0-2 yrs)

$151,000

to $186,000

Mid (3-5 yrs)

$197,000

to $244,000

Senior (6-9 yrs)

$255,000

to $302,000

Lead (10+ yrs)

$290,000

to $360,000

Total compensation.

Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $58,000 to the total package.

Base

$232,000

Equity

$32,000

Bonus

$21,000

Signing

$5,000

Estimated total: $290,000

How Omaha compares.

Omaha, NE

$232,000

Cost of living: 12% below average

National Average

$275,000

Omaha is $43,000 below

CEO salary by city.

CEO salary comparison across 10 cities
CityMedianRangeCOLAdjusted
San Francisco, CA$382,000$278,000 to $528,0001.35x$283,000
San Jose, CA$368,000$268,000 to $509,0001.38x$267,000
Honolulu, HI$365,000$265,000 to $504,0001.30x$281,000
Boston, MA$346,000$251,000 to $478,0001.22x$284,000
New York, NY$345,000$251,000 to $477,0001.28x$270,000
Seattle, WA$344,000$250,000 to $476,0001.24x$277,000
San Diego, CA$335,000$243,000 to $462,0001.17x$286,000
Washington DC, DC$330,000$240,000 to $456,0001.25x$264,000
Los Angeles, CA$321,000$234,000 to $444,0001.18x$272,000
Omaha, NE$232,000$169,000 to $321,0000.88x$264,000

See all 81 cities for CEO →

Salary by role in Omaha.

Salary comparison by role in Omaha
RoleMedianRange
CTO$267,000$208,000 to $347,000
General Counsel$246,000$192,000 to $320,000
CEO$232,000$169,000 to $321,000
CFO$229,000$172,000 to $304,000
IC6 Engineer$224,000$175,000 to $292,000
AI Trading Strategist$202,000$158,000 to $263,000
AI Protein Structure Specialist$201,000$157,000 to $262,000
CTO, AI Startup$198,000$155,000 to $259,000

What you should know.

The CEO landscape in Omaha is not what most salary sites will tell you. Omaha punches above its weight with Berkshire Hathaway, Mutual of Omaha, and a strong financial services cluster. The city has a growing tech scene and is home to several Fortune 500 companies. Very affordable living costs combined with corporate headquarters salaries create exceptional purchasing power. 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 Omaha, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 12% 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: nebraska's top income tax rate is 5.84%. Omaha has no city income tax. The moderate rate is offset by some of the most affordable housing costs among major metros. When someone quotes you $232,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Reference Fortune 500 headquarters pay scales. Omaha's corporate density means employers benchmark against national compensation data, not just regional rates. The range for CEOs in Omaha runs from $169,000 to $321,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Sources: BLS OES, H-1B LCA (DOL). COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified July 1, 2026. Full methodology

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$

25th

$169,000

Median

$232,000

75th

$321,000

Considering a related role?

  • A CFO in Omaha earns $229,000 (1% less)
  • The highest-paying role in Omaha is CTO at $267,000

Common questions.

At venture-backed startups, equity often represents 50 to 80% of total compensation through stock options or RSUs. At public companies, equity grants and long-term incentive plans routinely make up 60 to 75% of the total package, dwarfing the base salary component.

Boards typically benchmark against peer companies of similar revenue, industry, and market cap. They evaluate the CEO's track record, company performance, talent market conditions, and internal pay equity ratios. Compensation consultants provide market data to guide final decisions.

In 2026, the average CEO salary in Omaha, NE is $232,000. The estimated range runs from $169,000 to $321,000. Where you land depends on your experience, the company's size, and the specific skills you bring.

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. In Omaha, these factors can push compensation from $169,000 to $321,000 or beyond.

CEO compensation in Omaha has trended upward as demand outpaces supply. The 2026 range of $169,000 to $321,000 reflects a market that rewards specialization. Company stage, revenue scale, and industry sector are the primary salary determinants.

Relevant certifications can add 5 to 15% to a CEO's base salary in Omaha. Specifically, company stage, revenue scale, and industry sector are the primary salary determinants. In a market where the range spans $169,000 to $321,000, certifications often bridge the gap between the median and the top of the range.

CEO salary in other cities.

Other salaries in Omaha.

Jump to nearby roles and cities most relevant to CEOs in Omaha.

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"CEO Salary in Omaha, NE." Orbyt Salary Explorer, August 2026. https://www.orbytlabs.ai/orbyt-jobs/salaries/ceo/omaha

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