JM Search Releases 2025 CFO Compensation & Insights Study

Exclusive CFO salary and compensation data for investors and financial leaders

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--JM Search, the leading retained executive search firm for private equity and other growth-oriented private and public organizations, released its 2025 CFO Compensation & Insights Study. This year’s report offers a comprehensive look into the evolving landscape of CFO compensation, retention, and talent acquisition strategies across key industries.

The study collected data from over 300 CFOs, primarily from investor-backed companies, providing critical benchmarking insights for organizations seeking to attract and retain top financial talent. Respondents included both first-time and experienced CFOs across the following key sectors: Healthcare & Life Sciences, Software & Technology Services, Industrials & Manufacturing, Business & Financial Services, and Consumer.

“The CFO role is more complex and critical than ever, and investors and business leaders need to understand what drives these leaders,” said John Marshall, CEO of JM Search. “This study, based on insights from over 300 CFOs, enhances our proprietary data on CFO compensation and highlights key trends, leadership profiles, and value creation priorities shaping the role today. It’s a must-have resource for investors and executives hiring CFOs in today’s market.”

Key insights from the 2025 report include:

• Comprehensive compensation data with breakdowns of base salary, bonus structures, and equity
• Career pathways and experience models that lead to the CFO role
• The evolving responsibilities and value creation strategies defining today's CFO
• Critical drivers of CFO satisfaction and turnover—with distinctions between first-time and seasoned executives

Download the Full Report

JM Search has placed nearly 1,500 executives in the past 24 months in high-growth businesses. In 2025 thus far, the firm was named to Forbes 2025 America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms, the Financial Times list of The Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies and has consistently been ranked in the Top 50 Recruiters list published by Hunt Scanlon Media.

For more information on JM Search, please visit our website, www.jmsearch.com.

About JM Search

JM Search (www.jmsearch.com) is the leading retained executive search firm for private equity, and other growth-oriented private and public organizations.

With over 45 years of experience, our partners are immersed in your search every step of the way, supported by a passionate, cohesive team of recruiting experts. With deep sector and functional-specific expertise, we’ve built expansive professional networks from decades of firsthand experience to ensure the best possible outcomes for our clients and their businesses.

One firm, focused on you.