Chief Financial Officer Salary in the US
Chief Financial Officer Salary Range
$252,500
$380,500
Low Range
High Range
Midpoint
This salary range represents a national benchmark in USD. Regional salary adjustment factors can be applied below to estimate how compensation may shift by state.
Salary benchmarks are based on a mix of TQR internal data and external market research for specialized manufacturing and technical roles in the U.S.
Chief Financial Officer salaries in the Life Sciences Manufacturing industry typically range from $252,500 to $380,500, with a midpoint of approximately $310,000. Compensation varies based on executive leadership experience, financial strategy expertise, company size, global operational responsibility, mergers and acquisitions experience, regulatory complexity, and overall financial and operational accountability.
What the Salary Percentiles Mean
The following range has been generated based on real salary data across North America.
$252,500
$380,500
$252,500
25th percentile
Employees in this section often have a lower level of experience or skills and
are still growing into their role. This role may also be at a small to medium-sized business.
$310,000
50th percentile
Employees in this section typically demonstrate the required level of experience plus many skills that are deemed an asset. This role is likely at a medium-sized business.
$380,500
75th percentile
Employees in this section typically demonstrate a higher-level of expertise and/or enhanced qualifications. They should also have a proven track record and cultural fit. This role is likely at a larger business.
Regional Salary Adjustments
Salary ranges can vary by region based on cost of living, labor competition, industry concentration, and talent availability. The map below shows regional adjustment factors that can be applied to the national salary benchmark as a directional guide.
Factors That Affect a Chief Financial Officer's Salary
Chief Financial Officer compensation can vary based on company size, revenue, manufacturing complexity, product portfolio, global operations, financial leadership responsibility, regulatory environment, location, and overall executive accountability. Employers may need to adjust compensation when the position oversees multinational operations, publicly traded organizations, multiple manufacturing facilities, complex capital investment programs, or highly regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device businesses.
Chief Financial Officer Job Description:
A Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for leading the organization's financial strategy, planning, and operational performance across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, diagnostics, and related Life Sciences manufacturing operations. This executive leadership role provides strategic financial direction, oversees corporate finance functions, manages financial risk, and partners with executive leadership to support sustainable growth, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and long-term shareholder value.
Chief Financial Officers typically oversee financial planning and analysis (FP&A), accounting, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, tax, financial reporting, internal controls, investor relations, enterprise risk management, and capital planning. Their responsibilities may include developing financial strategies, managing cash flow and working capital, evaluating capital investments, supporting mergers and acquisitions, ensuring compliance with GAAP, IFRS, SOX, and applicable financial regulations, collaborating with Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Sales, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, and R&D teams, and presenting financial performance to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
Chief Financial Officers are expected to understand how financial strategy directly impacts profitability, operational performance, capital allocation, regulatory compliance, business growth, and long-term organizational success. Strong candidates typically combine executive financial leadership, strategic planning, analytical expertise, risk management, communication skills, and sound business judgment with the ability to build high-performing finance organizations and support enterprise-wide decision-making.
Common Responsibilities:
Developing and executing enterprise-wide financial strategies that support long-term business growth, profitability, capital allocation, operational excellence, and shareholder value across Life Sciences manufacturing operations.
Leading all finance functions, including accounting, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), budgeting, forecasting, treasury, tax, financial reporting, audit, investor relations, and enterprise risk management while ensuring financial accuracy and transparency.
Providing strategic financial guidance to executive leadership by supporting business planning, capital investments, mergers and acquisitions, commercial initiatives, operational decision-making, and long-term corporate strategy.
Collaborating with Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Sales, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, R&D, Human Resources, and executive leadership to align financial objectives with business performance and organizational growth initiatives.
Managing cash flow, working capital, capital expenditures, financial models, profitability analysis, key performance indicators (KPIs), and cost optimization initiatives to improve financial performance and operational efficiency.
Ensuring compliance with GAAP, IFRS, SOX (where applicable), tax regulations, internal controls, corporate governance requirements, and applicable financial reporting standards while overseeing internal and external audits.
Building, mentoring, and leading high-performing finance teams while driving continuous improvement, strengthening financial governance, enhancing business intelligence, supporting regulatory compliance, and fostering a culture of accountability, integrity, and strategic partnership.
Explore Current Openings
TQR recruits for specialized roles across industrial automation, manufacturing, packaging, food production, life sciences, and related technical markets. Current openings may include engineering, operations, maintenance, quality, supply chain, and plant leadership roles.
View current opportunities or submit your resume to be considered for future roles that match your background.
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