Salary data · BLS OEWS 2025
Startup Founder Salary in the US
A Startup Founder earns a national median of $213,990 per year. Here is how pay breaks down across US metro areas.
In Brief
Startup Founder (BLS occupation 11-1011) earns a national median of $213,990 and a mean of $269,630 per year as of 2025. The highest-paying metro is Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro at $375,810. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
National pay
Top-paying US metro areas
Ranked by median annual wage · BLS OEWS 2025
About this data
All wages come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, 2025 release, mapped to occupation code 11-1011 (Chief Executives). Figures are gross annual wages before tax and reflect employees only — self-employed and freelance earnings are not included.
Is Startup Founder the right fit for you?
Take the free 2-minute Career Match test and see which roles match how you actually work.
Take the Career Match testFAQ
How much does a Startup Founder earn in the US?▼
The national median wage for a Startup Founder is $213,990 per year (mean $269,630), per the BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics for 2025.
Which US cities pay Startup Founders the most?▼
The top-paying metro areas are Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro ($375,810), Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue ($370,000), Chicago-Naperville-Elgin ($344,960).
Where does this Startup Founder salary data come from?▼
All figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, 2025 release, occupation code 11-1011. Wages are gross annual, before tax.
Is Startup Founder a well-paid career?▼
At a median of $213,990/year, Startup Founder pay sits above the US median for all occupations. Pay varies widely by metro — see the city table above.