CFO Salary & Compensation Survey

What 312 CFOs Told Us About Compensation and Retention

As the executive search firm trusted by leading private equity firms and growth-oriented organizations for over 45 years, JM Search has compiled the most comprehensive analysis of CFO compensation in today’s market.

This study provides CFO compensation benchmarks drawn directly from sitting finance leaders and highlights how company size, ownership structure, industry, and transaction experience are shaping pay, equity, and retention outcomes in 2025.

Key Findings from the Study

Base Salary

For middle-market businesses with revenues between $100M–$500M, the most common CFO base salary range is $350k–$399k.

Target Bonuses

In the middle market, standard CFO target bonuses are 50–59% of base salary.

Equity

The most common equity award for mid-market CFOs is 1.00–1.24 equity points.

Exit Timing

When exit timelines extend, 75% of CFOs consider new opportunities, versus 35% when timelines remain unchanged.

Table of Contents

How Company Size Shapes CFO Compensation

Our findings show clear compensation patterns based on company revenue:

Company Revenue Most Common CFO Base Salary range Most Common CFO Bonus Range
$49M or less $250k-$299k Less than 29%
$50M-$99M $250k-$299k 40-49%
$100M-$249M $350k-$399k 50-59%
$250M-$499M $350k-$399k 50-59%
$500M+ $400k-$449k 50-59%

Most Common Equity Points

Our analysis of equity focused on PE/VC-backed businesses:

Company Revenue Most Common Equity (Points)
$49M or less 1.00-1.24pts
$50M-$99M 1.00-1.24pts
$100M-$249M 1.00-1.24pts
$250M-$499M 1.00-1.24pts
$500M+ Less than 0.49pts

How First-Time and Multi-Time CFOs Stack Up

Experience level plays a major role in how CFOs perceive their compensation, manage retention risk, and navigate workplace flexibility. Our study highlights key differences between first-time and seasoned finance leaders:

Higher turnover risk among first-time CFOs:

Experience level plays a major role in how CFOs perceive their compensation, manage retention risk, and navigate workplace flexibility. Our study highlights key differences between first-time and seasoned finance leaders. Among current first-time CFOs, a majority (65%) shared that they have considered departing in the past six months, compared to 42% of multi-time CFOs.

Experienced CFOs report greater satisfaction and flexibility:

64% say their compensation is fair or above market, and they’re more likely to have earned flexibility in how they work. Only 24% of CFOs with two or more transactions maintain fully in-office schedules, compared with 39% of those with no deal experience.

Extended exit timelines increase retention risk:

When hold periods lengthen, 75% of CFOs consider new opportunities, compared with just 35% when timelines remain unchanged.

“CFOs who invest in building strong teams, implementing scalable systems, and embedding operational rigor unlock critical value. This isn’t just about transaction readiness; it’s about creating sustainable competitive advantages.”

David Robinson, Partner, JM Search

How Industry Impacts CFO Compensation

Seeking sector-specific insights? Each report analyzes role expectations, compensation patterns, and market dynamics specific to the sector. We’ve pulled detailed findings for two key verticals:

Healthcare and Life Sciences CFO Compensation

Consumer CFO Compensation

Meet the CFOs We Surveyed

We collected inputs from 312 CFOs spanning multiple geographies across the U.S. All survey respondents were current CFOs, and a majority were with an investor-backed or private business (83%).

0
CFOs surveyed across the U.S.
0%
Lead Investor-backed or private businesses
0%
Come from companies with revenues from $50M-$499M

Methodology

This study reflects insights from 312 sitting CFOs across the U.S., surveyed in Q4 2024. Respondents were primarily from private equity– and venture-backed businesses, with representation across industries and company sizes. Data was collected via an online survey covering base salary, bonus, equity compensation, and role experience. All responses were self-reported, aggregated, and analyzed to identify prevailing compensation ranges and trends. Results are reported in U.S. dollars and reflect anonymized, aggregate data.

Get the Complete CFO Compensation Report

The full report includes:

  • Detailed salary, bonus, and equity data by company size

  • Insights into the career pathways that shape today’s CFOs

  • A look at how CFOs structure their teams and drive strategic impact

  • Key differences between first-time and veteran CFOs, including in retention, satisfaction, and more