Average Head of Sustainability Salary in United States for 2024

In this article, we will look at the average Head of Sustainability salary for 2024 in United States and how that compares to other countries and professions. We'll also look at interesting salary data points like median salary, 25th and 75th percentile salaries, salary amounts based on experience, bonus ranges and more!

The data in this article has been compiled using official government salary data, salary surveys, and other sources such as job postings which contain salary information.

All salary information is in the local currency, which is the United States dollar. To keep things simple, we are using the USD currency code instead of the currency symbol $.

How Much Does a Head of Sustainability Make in United States?

A Head of Sustainability working in United States will typically earn around 119,700 USD per year, and this can range from the lowest average salary of about 58,200 USD to the highest average salary of 191,500 USD.

Average Annual Salary
119,700 USD
Average Monthly Salary
9,975 USD

Lowest Annual Salary
58,200 USD
Lowest Monthly Salary
4,850 USD

Highest Annual Salary
191,500 USD
Highest Monthly Salary
15,958 USD

These are average salaries for a Head of Sustainability in United States and include benefits such as housing and transport. It's also possible for a Head of Sustainability to earn more or less than the average salaries shown above.

Head of Sustainability salaries will vary a lot based on your experience, location, skills, and gender. Keep reading below to research more data on each of these areas.

Distribution of Head of Sustainability Salaries in United States

So we've looked at the average salaries a Head of Sustainability will earn in United States. The next interesting data point is the distribution of salaries.

Salary ranges

We already know that a Head of Sustainability can earn between 58,200 USD and 191,500 USD on average in United States. This is known as the range in statistics.

The difference between the maximum and minimum values is a good indicator of variability in salaries, and can be used by employers to figure out how much they can expect to pay, and for employees to know how much they can earn.

Median salary

The median salary for a Head of Sustainability in United States is 128,200 USD. This is the middle value in the distribution of salaries.

What this means is that approximately 50% of the population earn less than 128,200 USD, and 50% of the population earn more than 128,200 USD.

If you are earning more than the median salary, that's a good indicator that you are being paid well.

If you're not earning more than the median salary, your objective should be to increase your earnings to be at least as high as the median salary (which you can do by asking for a pay rise, looking for a better paying job, etc).

Percentiles

Percentiles are similar to the median salary, but instead of looking at the middle value, they look at the values in the top and bottom half of the distribution.

For the average Head of Sustainability salary in United States, 25% of the population are earning less than 84,200 USD while 75% of the population earn more than 84,200 USD.

75% of the population earn less than 167,100 USD, and 25% of the population earn more than 167,100 USD.

Like the median salary, the 25th and 75th percentile salaries can be used to determine which quartile you fall into so that you know whether you are being paid well enough compared to others in your profession and location.

The difference between a median and an average salary

The median and average salary are both indicators you can use to see if you are being paid fairly based on the overall population.

  • If your salary is higher than the average and the median salary, you are earning well compared to others.
  • If your salary is lower than the average and the median salary, it could indicate you are not being paid well enough.
  • If you are somewhere in between then it's tricky to determine if you are being paid well enough and you might need to research more closely.

Head of Sustainability Salary by Experience Level in United States

The most important factor in determining your salary after the specific profession is the number of years experience you have. It stands to reason that more years of experience will result in a higher wage.

We have researched the average head of sustainability salary based on years of experience to give you an idea of how the average changes once you've worked for a certain amount of time.

  • 0 - 2 Years Experience. A Head of Sustainability in United States that has less than two years of experience can expect to earn somewhere in the region of 66,900 USD.
  • 2 - 5 Years Experience. With two to five years of experience the average Head of Sustainability salary would increase to 91,000 USD.
  • 5 - 10 Years Experience. From five to ten years of experience as a Head of Sustainability, the average salary would be 127,600 USD.
  • 10 - 15 Years Experience. Once you have more than ten years of experience the average salary reaches around 157,600 USD.
  • 15 - 20 Years Experience. A Head of Sustainability with 15 to 20 years of experience can earn an average of 163,500 USD.
  • 20+ Years Experience. For a Head of Sustainability with more than 20 years, the expected average salary increases to 177,200 USD.

Average Salary by Experience Chart

0-2 Years
66,900 USD
2-5 Years +38%
91,000 USD
5-10 Years +42%
127,600 USD
10-15 Years +22%
157,600 USD
15-20 Years +6%
163,500 USD
20+ Years +9%
177,200 USD

Head of Sustainability Salary by Education Level in United States

As well as experience in a job, your education plays a big role in how much you can earn. A lot of higher paying positions require a high level of education, but how much can a degree increase your salary?

In our research we have compared the salaries of employees in the same job and career level with different levels of education to see how much more you can earn at each education level.

The salary you can earn based on your education is very specific to both your location and the career path you choose.

In our research, we looked at the average salary for a Head of Sustainability in United States based on the education level of the employees in order to find out whether a better education level would increase your salary.

  • High School. A Head of Sustainability in United States with a high school education can earn an average salary of 80,800 USD.

  • Certificate or Diploma. A Head of Sustainability in United States with a certificate or diploma education can earn an average salary of 92,200 USD.

  • Bachelor's Degree. A Head of Sustainability in United States with a bachelor's degree education can earn an average salary of 137,100 USD.

  • Master's Degree. A Head of Sustainability in United States with a master's degree education can earn an average salary of 177,200 USD.

Average Salary by Education Chart

High School
80,800 USD
Certificate or Diploma +17%
92,200 USD
Bachelor's Degree +45%
137,100 USD
Master's Degree +31%
177,200 USD

How Much is a Master's Degree or MBA Program?

The approximate cost of a master's degree or post-graduate program like an MBA in United States is around 39,500 to 118,000 USD and takes two years to complete.

As you can see above, there are financial benefits from reaching master's degree level, but don't expect to see much of a salary increase until you have completed the degree.

It's common for people to pursue an MBA or other post-graduate program in order to switch to a a job that pays more. On average, you can expect to earn around 10% more when switching to a new company.

Whether you decide to pursue a master's degree depends on many factors. If you are able to afford it, the numbers suggest that the return on investment is worth it and you could recover the costs in a few years from the salary increase you would receive.

Head of Sustainability Salary Compared by Gender

In the modern age, we know that there should never be a pay gap between men and women. Unfortunately, in many professions, there is still a significant difference between the salaries earned by men when compared to the salary of women in the same job.

In United States, a male head of sustainability will earn an average of 124,500 USD, while a female head of sustainability will earn around 115,600 USD.

This means that a male head of sustainability earns approximately 8% more than a female head of sustainability for performing the same job.

Average Salary by Gender Chart in United States

Male
124,500 USD
Female -8%
115,600 USD

Head of Sustainability Average Pay Raise in United States

In many countries, an annual pay raise is often given to employees to reward their service with a salary increase.

From our research, we can see that the average pay raise for a Head of Sustainability in United States is around 13% every 15 months.

The national average pay raise across all professions and industries in United States is around 8% every 16 months.

In this case, we can see that the number of months between the average pay raise is higher than the typical 12 months.

To make the data more meaningful, we can calculate what the approximate annual pay raise would be using a simple formula:

Annual Increase = ( Increase Rate ÷ Months ) × 12

So for this example, it would be:

Annual Increase = ( 13 ÷ 15 ) × 12  = 10%

What this means is that a Head of Sustainability in United States can expect to receive an average pay raise of around 10% every 12 months.

Annual Pay Raise by Industry in United States for 2024

In the chart below, you can see the average annual pay raise percentages for each of the major industries in United States.

You will see that companies in bigger and more lucrative industries tend to have the higher annual pay raises.

Banking
4%
Energy
8%
Information Technology
3%
Healthcare
7%
Travel
2%
Construction
6%
Education
1%

Head of Sustainability Bonus and Incentive Rates in United States

Another part of your overall compensation in a job is how much bonus you receive. Some job roles will be more likely to pay a bonus than others and also more likely to have higher bonus rates.

Generally speaking, jobs that are more involved with direct revenue generation will receive higher bonuses based on the performance towards revenue goals.

A Head of Sustainability is a high bonus based job, with 85% of employees reporting at least one bonus in the last 12 months.

15% reported that they had not received any bonuses in the previous 12 months.

For the employees that did receive a bonus in the previous 12 months, the reported bonuses ranged from 5% to 9%.

Received Bonus
85%
No Bonus
15%

What are the Types of Bonus?

There are a number of difference types of bonus you can receive in a job. Including:

  • Individual performance bonus - This is a bonus that is awarded to an individual employee for general performance in the job. It's the most common type of bonus.
  • Company performance bonus - This is a bonus that is awarded to a company employees to share profit with the staff.
  • Goal based bonus - This is a bonus that is awarded to an individual employee (or a team) for achieving specific goals, objectives, or milestones.
  • Holiday bonus - This type of bonus is usually paid around the holidays, often the end of the year, and is a token of appreciation for the hard work throughout the year.

Government vs Private Sector Salaries

Another commonly asked question is whether you get paid a higher salary working in the public (government) sector or the private sector.

Public sector employees in United States earn approximately 6% more than private sector employees in the same role.

Public Sector
98,800 USD
Private Sector -6%
93,100 USD

Salaries for Jobs Similar to a Head of Sustainability

In the table below, we have salary information for jobs that are similar to a Head of Sustainability in United States.

Job Title Category Salary
Account Coordinator Executive and Management 92,100 USD
Account Director Executive and Management 114,600 USD
Account Executive Executive and Management 108,200 USD
Account Manager Executive and Management 109,000 USD
Administration Manager Executive and Management 105,200 USD
Administration Officer Executive and Management 56,400 USD
Administration Supervisor Executive and Management 94,100 USD
Administrative Clerk Executive and Management 43,800 USD
Administrative Officer Executive and Management 42,600 USD
Area Director Executive and Management 97,100 USD
Area Manager Executive and Management 98,900 USD
Asset Protection Associate Executive and Management 118,900 USD
Assistant Director Executive and Management 108,200 USD
Assistant General Manager Executive and Management 116,400 USD
Assistant Manager Executive and Management 117,100 USD
Assistant Managing Director Executive and Management 127,700 USD
Assistant Operations Manager Executive and Management 130,500 USD
Assistant Project Manager Executive and Management 109,700 USD
Assistant Section Head Executive and Management 96,600 USD
Assistant to CEO Executive and Management 101,400 USD
Assistant Vice President Executive and Management 116,400 USD
Associate Account Director Executive and Management 114,900 USD
Associate Director Executive and Management 112,700 USD
Bid Manager Executive and Management 123,000 USD
Branch Manager Executive and Management 121,800 USD
Business Development Manager Executive and Management 146,700 USD
Business Operations Associate Executive and Management 117,100 USD
Business Operations Lead Executive and Management 114,600 USD
Campaign Manager Executive and Management 128,200 USD
Catering Coordinator Executive and Management 68,200 USD
Catering Manager Executive and Management 107,300 USD
CEO Executive and Management 206,100 USD
Chairman of The Board Executive and Management 206,700 USD
Chairman Office Manager Executive and Management 141,000 USD
Chief Commercial Officer Executive and Management 158,700 USD
Chief Corporate Officer Executive and Management 169,700 USD
Chief Executive Officer Executive and Management 216,600 USD
Chief Financial Officer Executive and Management 193,400 USD
Chief Investment Officer Executive and Management 156,200 USD
Chief of Staff Executive and Management 100,700 USD
Chief Operating Officer Executive and Management 167,100 USD
Chief Risk Officer Executive and Management 140,200 USD
Client Account Manager Executive and Management 125,400 USD
Client Accounts Officer Executive and Management 107,700 USD
Client Services Manager Executive and Management 138,700 USD
Commercial Director Executive and Management 150,100 USD
Commercial Manager Executive and Management 128,200 USD
Commercial Project Manager Executive and Management 123,000 USD
Commodity Broker Executive and Management 86,100 USD
COO Executive and Management 158,700 USD
Corporate Affairs Executive Executive and Management 123,800 USD
Corporate Compliance Director Executive and Management 137,100 USD
Corporate Director Executive and Management 148,300 USD
Corporate Officer Executive and Management 100,700 USD
Corporate Partnerships Officer Executive and Management 105,200 USD
Country Manager Executive and Management 165,900 USD
Department Head Executive and Management 134,100 USD
Department Manager Executive and Management 139,100 USD
Department Supervisor Executive and Management 111,700 USD
Deputy Director Executive and Management 156,200 USD
Deputy Manager Executive and Management 151,800 USD
Director Executive and Management 172,300 USD
Director of Accreditation Executive and Management 138,700 USD
Director of Catering Services Executive and Management 127,700 USD
Director of Client Services Executive and Management 137,100 USD
Director of Facilities Management Executive and Management 118,900 USD
Director of Operations Executive and Management 142,300 USD
Director of Process Simplification Executive and Management 114,300 USD
Director of Product Management Executive and Management 140,700 USD
Director of Project Management Executive and Management 147,900 USD
Director of Revenue Management Executive and Management 134,100 USD
Director of Training and Development Executive and Management 134,100 USD
Distribution Manager Executive and Management 146,900 USD
Division Manager Executive and Management 128,200 USD
Duty Manager Executive and Management 123,800 USD
Engagement Manager Executive and Management 156,200 USD
Executive Director Executive and Management 218,700 USD
Executive Manager Executive and Management 182,400 USD
Franchise Manager Executive and Management 182,400 USD
General Manager Executive and Management 160,600 USD
Global Master Data Manager Executive and Management 147,900 USD
Global Technical Lead Executive and Management 95,400 USD
Head of Investment Executive and Management 146,700 USD
Head of Middle Office Executive and Management 134,100 USD
Head of Projects Executive and Management 141,000 USD
Head of Strategy Executive and Management 166,600 USD
Head of Supply Chain Executive and Management 128,200 USD
Housing Manager Executive and Management 108,200 USD
HSE Manager Executive and Management 114,300 USD
Key Account Manager Executive and Management 123,800 USD
Knowledge Manager Executive and Management 142,300 USD
Location Manager Executive and Management 142,100 USD
Logistics Executive Executive and Management 109,000 USD
Logistics Manager Executive and Management 107,300 USD
Management Consultant Executive and Management 114,600 USD
Management Executive Executive and Management 158,700 USD
Manager Executive and Management 139,100 USD
Managing Director Executive and Management 175,200 USD
MIS Executive Executive and Management 148,300 USD
Ocean Services Manager Executive and Management 152,700 USD
Operational Manager Executive and Management 151,800 USD
Operations Analyst Executive and Management 130,400 USD
Operations Assistant Executive and Management 105,800 USD
Operations Director Executive and Management 158,900 USD
Operations Executive Executive and Management 160,600 USD
Operations Manager Executive and Management 158,700 USD
Operations Supervisor Executive and Management 132,000 USD
Planning Director Executive and Management 158,700 USD
PMO Manager Executive and Management 134,700 USD
Policy Administration Executive Executive and Management 117,100 USD
Private Sector Executive Executive and Management 128,400 USD
Product Development Manager Executive and Management 150,100 USD
Product Executive Executive and Management 128,200 USD
Production Executive Executive and Management 140,200 USD
Production Manager Executive and Management 139,100 USD
Production Supervisor Executive and Management 117,100 USD
Program Director Executive and Management 142,300 USD
Program Manager Executive and Management 153,800 USD
Programme Coordinator Executive and Management 107,700 USD
Project Control Manager Executive and Management 142,300 USD
Project Coordinator Executive and Management 87,700 USD
Project Management Officer Executive and Management 98,300 USD
Project Manager Executive and Management 109,000 USD
Project Portfolio Manager Executive and Management 114,300 USD
Quality Manager Executive and Management 119,700 USD
R/D Director Executive and Management 124,500 USD
Regional Director Executive and Management 191,500 USD
Regional Manager Executive and Management 151,800 USD
Relationship Manager Executive and Management 140,200 USD
Retail District Manager Executive and Management 105,800 USD
Revenue Manager Executive and Management 115,600 USD
Risk and Capital Manager Executive and Management 158,900 USD
Risk Officer Executive and Management 109,700 USD
Safety Manager Executive and Management 105,800 USD
Section Head Executive and Management 105,800 USD
Service Manager Executive and Management 115,600 USD
Shift Supervisor Executive and Management 88,300 USD
Solutions Manager Executive and Management 107,700 USD
Supervisor Executive and Management 92,300 USD
Supply Chain Manager Executive and Management 151,800 USD
Surveyor Executive and Management 102,700 USD
Technical Director Executive and Management 137,100 USD
Technical Manager Executive and Management 141,000 USD
Territory Manager Executive and Management 140,700 USD
Validation Manager Executive and Management 127,600 USD
Vice President Executive and Management 184,700 USD
Zone Manager Executive and Management 148,300 USD

Salary Comparison by City

If you want to compare salaries with different cities in United States, you can use the links below to explore the data for each specific city we have researched.

City Average Salary
Atlanta 109,700 USD
Austin 138,700 USD
Baltimore 117,100 USD
Boston 121,800 USD
Bristol 95,600 USD
Chicago 137,100 USD
Cincinnati 102,700 USD
Cleveland 111,700 USD
Dallas 130,400 USD
Denver 124,500 USD
Detroit 119,700 USD
Honolulu 99,700 USD
Houston 134,700 USD
Indianapolis 124,500 USD
Iowa City 99,700 USD
Jacksonville 127,700 USD
Kansas City 116,400 USD
Kent 94,000 USD
Las Vegas 125,400 USD
Long Beach 111,700 USD
Los Angeles 147,900 USD
Memphis 125,400 USD
Miami 114,900 USD
Minneapolis 107,700 USD
New Orleans 107,300 USD
New York 139,100 USD
Oakland 116,400 USD
Oklahoma City 117,100 USD
Orlando 103,600 USD
Philadelphia 134,700 USD
Phoenix 146,700 USD
Sacramento 118,900 USD
San Antonio 141,000 USD
San Diego 132,000 USD
San Francisco 128,400 USD
San Jose 140,700 USD
Seattle 128,400 USD
Tampa 102,700 USD
Vancouver 100,700 USD
Washington D.C. 123,800 USD

Salary Comparison by State

The table below includes links to the average salary for each state in United States.

City Average Salary
Alabama 121,800 USD
Alaska 112,700 USD
Arizona 127,600 USD
Arkansas 114,900 USD
California 139,100 USD
Colorado 119,700 USD
Connecticut 125,400 USD
Delaware 108,200 USD
District of Columbia 105,200 USD
Florida 138,700 USD
Georgia 130,500 USD
Hawaii 115,600 USD
Idaho 114,600 USD
Illinois 127,600 USD
Indiana 128,400 USD
Iowa 116,400 USD
Kansas 123,000 USD
Kentucky 121,800 USD
Louisiana 114,300 USD
Maine 114,900 USD
Maryland 124,500 USD
Massachusetts 130,500 USD
Michigan 130,500 USD
Minnesota 118,900 USD
Mississippi 118,900 USD
Missouri 123,000 USD
Montana 116,400 USD
Nebraska 114,900 USD
Nevada 112,700 USD
New Hampshire 114,900 USD
New Jersey 128,200 USD
New Mexico 119,700 USD
New York 134,100 USD
North Carolina 127,700 USD
North Dakota 109,700 USD
Ohio 130,500 USD
Oklahoma 123,800 USD
Oregon 119,700 USD
Pennsylvania 127,600 USD
Rhode Island 111,700 USD
South Carolina 119,700 USD
South Dakota 114,900 USD
Tennessee 128,200 USD
Texas 128,400 USD
Utah 117,100 USD
Vermont 105,800 USD
Virginia 134,700 USD
Washington 127,600 USD
West Virginia 109,700 USD
Wisconsin 128,200 USD
Wyoming 102,700 USD

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