Core Data at a Glance

  • According to Robert Half's 2026 Salary Guide released this week, the average annual salary for a mid-level-experience CFO in a new role in the U.S. is projected to be $269,750, up about 0.6% from the $268,250 forecast in last year's report. The projected salary range for new roles is: $195,500 for first-time CFOs with less experience, up to $321,750 for highly experienced CFOs.
  • Overall salaries for finance and accounting roles are expected to rise 2.1%, slightly below the August inflation rate of 2.9%. Despite this, salary increases in the finance sector still outpace the national average increase of 1.8% across the finance, technology, marketing, legal administrative, and human resources industries analyzed by Robert Half. The data was provided to CFO Dive via email by Robert Half, headquartered in Menlo Park, California.
  • Although many surveyed managers expressed concerns about meeting compensation expectations in 2026, 84% of respondents said they are willing to offer higher salaries to candidates with 'in-demand skills.' Starting salaries are expected to be above average in public accounting, tax, audit and assurance roles, as well as in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, content strategy, digital project management, and marketing analytics.

In-Depth Analysis

Robert Half noted that the pace of salary growth has recently slowed due to broader economic headwinds.

'During the Great Resignation, salaries surged as employers competed fiercely for talent amid labor shortages and shifting workplace expectations,' said Steve Saah, executive director of Robert Half's finance and accounting practice, in an email. 'Since then, this momentum has stabilized as organizations have adopted a more cautious approach to hiring, often reflecting tighter budgets, internal equity considerations, and broader economic uncertainty.'

The salary report comes as concerns about a cooling labor market and sluggish hiring weigh on many economists and financial leaders. On Monday, New York Federal Reserve President John Williams said the labor market is 'softening,' while noting that monetary policy is still restraining inflation after the federal funds rate was cut by 25 basis points last month. CFO Dive reported on this.

Robert Half said in a press release that perks and other benefits are becoming increasingly important amid potential gaps between employer and candidate compensation expectations.

'Offering a competitive salary is crucial, but it shouldn't be the only consideration,' said Dawn Fay, operational president of Robert Half, in a statement in the press release. 'Employers that offer both monetary and non-monetary perks and benefits will stand out to candidates evaluating job offers.'

Assuming base salary remains unchanged, more than half of surveyed employees (51%) said work-life balance benefits would prompt them to switch to a new employer; 42% said retirement planning is attractive; and 39% mentioned health and wellness benefits.

A Robert Half spokesperson said the findings are based on surveys conducted in April, with samples including nearly 2,000 employees and 2,200 hiring managers, covering public and private companies of various sizes.