Business and Financial Operations: S-Corp Reasonable Salary Benchmarks
32 occupations, with medians from $52,230 to $117,330. 29 of them clear $60,000, roughly the point at which an S-corp election starts repaying its own overhead.
Business and financial roles are unusually well evidenced: salaried positions with published ranges and a deep hiring market. That cuts both ways — 'nobody would take this job at that price' is an argument an examiner can test directly.
| Occupation | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Risk Specialists | $83,980 | $117,330 | $158,250 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | $72,440 | $105,070 | $176,790 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $79,290 | $102,740 | $133,340 |
| Project Management Specialists | $78,440 | $102,320 | $133,100 |
| Management Analysts | $77,950 | $101,860 | $133,370 |
| Labor Relations Specialists | $71,920 | $95,420 | $123,420 |
| Financial Examiners | $70,660 | $94,160 | $129,600 |
| Budget Analysts | $75,320 | $91,640 | $114,220 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $67,020 | $83,680 | $109,810 |
| Credit Analysts | $65,210 | $83,510 | $122,460 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $62,640 | $83,050 | $114,010 |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | $63,670 | $82,890 | $146,430 |
| Logisticians | $64,440 | $82,320 | $106,190 |
| Insurance Underwriters | $64,620 | $81,370 | $110,390 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $61,290 | $81,100 | $110,410 |
| Compliance Officers | $61,280 | $80,730 | $109,010 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $58,350 | $78,760 | $108,310 |
| Cost Estimators | $61,150 | $78,740 | $101,850 |
| Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage | $65,050 | $78,240 | $91,880 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $60,890 | $78,210 | $100,400 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $61,160 | $78,000 | $98,030 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $60,800 | $77,710 | $100,820 |
| Loan Officers | $52,730 | $76,690 | $104,080 |
| Human Resources Specialists | $58,610 | $75,940 | $99,380 |
| Fundraisers | $57,480 | $72,550 | $92,180 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $50,110 | $69,280 | $95,050 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $50,970 | $67,960 | $92,760 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $49,450 | $62,370 | $83,390 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $46,970 | $61,160 | $78,790 |
| Farm Labor Contractors (below the S-corp threshold) | $35,720 | $58,460 | $79,590 |
| Tax Preparers (below the S-corp threshold) | $38,910 | $54,920 | $76,300 |
| Credit Counselors (below the S-corp threshold) | $45,720 | $52,230 | $64,080 |
What is a reasonable salary for a business and finance S-corp owner?
It depends on the specific occupation, which is why the table lists all 32 separately instead of giving one number for the group. 29 carry a median at or above $60,000, roughly where an S-corp election starts repaying its overhead. Medians here run $52,230 to $117,330.
National figures, and a percentile is evidence rather than an answer.Model your own state and profit, or see all occupation groups.