CFO.
Atlanta.
$268,000
median salary, 3% above the national average
$201,000 to $355,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a CFO offer in Atlanta, GA, here is the reality: $201,000 to $355,000, with $268,000 as the midpoint. 3% above the national average. Company size measured by revenue and market capitalization drives the widest pay variation among CFOs. 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.
Where do you fall?
Orbyt estimate for CFO in Atlanta, 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 $275,820 for Chief Executives (SOC 11-1011) in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metropolitan area, based on 2,350 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$97,090
25th percentile
$149,990
Median
$275,820
75th percentile
$418,050
90th percentile
$581,990
Workers surveyed
2,350
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 CFO specifically. The Atlantarange 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 11-1011Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $241,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$174,000
to $214,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$228,000
to $281,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$295,000
to $348,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$335,000
to $415,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $70,000 to the total package.
Base
$268,000
Equity
$40,000
Bonus
$25,000
Signing
$5,000
Estimated total: $338,000
How Atlanta compares.
Atlanta, GA
$268,000
Cost of living: 2% above average
National Average
$260,000
Atlanta is $8,000 above
CFO salary by city.
Salary by role in Atlanta.
What you should know.
The CFO landscape in Atlanta is not what most salary sites will tell you. Atlanta is a logistics and corporate powerhouse, home to Coca Cola, Delta, Home Depot, and UPS. The city's tech scene has expanded rapidly with major investments from Google, Microsoft, and a thriving fintech community. Atlanta offers strong salaries relative to its moderate cost of living, making it one of the best value metros for professionals. 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 Atlanta, 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: georgia has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5.49%. Atlanta does not impose a separate city income tax, keeping the combined burden below most northeastern cities. When someone quotes you $268,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Mention Atlanta's role as a regional tech capital. Employers are investing heavily to retain talent against poaching from coastal firms offering remote positions. The range for CFOs in Atlanta runs from $201,000 to $355,000. 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
Considering a related role?
- An IC6 Engineer in Atlanta earns $260,000 (3% less)
- The highest-paying role in Atlanta is CTO at $312,000
Common questions.
CFO salary in other cities.
Other salaries in Atlanta.
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