Key compensation trends and insights to help you make informed leadership decisions in 2027.
As companies plan their leadership needs for 2027, understanding what it takes to attract and retain top executives is increasingly important.
Our 2027 Executive Compensation Guide combines verified salary data with insights from our own executive search work, including offers we've negotiated and compensation packages candidates have accepted.
Here are two important takeaways from this year's guide.
1. The best executives are rarely looking for a new job.
In 2026, 64% of the finalists in our executive searches were employed and not actively on the market when we first contacted them.
For companies planning a critical leadership hire, this reinforces the importance of looking beyond the active candidate pool. Attracting an accomplished executive away from a successful position requires a compelling opportunity, a clear vision for the role, and compensation that makes the move worthwhile.
2. Compensation expectations are shifting beyond equity.
Private equity-backed companies have traditionally relied on equity incentives to attract executive talent. But longer holding periods and less predictable exit timelines are changing how candidates evaluate those opportunities.
We're seeing greater emphasis on competitive base salaries and annual bonuses, alongside meaningful long-term incentives. Candidates want to understand both the potential upside and the realistic timeline for receiving it.
Plan Your 2027 Leadership Hires with Confidence
Our guide provides detailed salary, bonus, and total cash compensation benchmarks for companies with $50 million to $1 billion in annual revenue. Inside, you'll find data for CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CROs, CHROs, presidents, and other senior leaders, along with insights into equity structures, industry adjustments, and strategies for building offers that attract top performers.
Whether you're preparing for a critical leadership hire or evaluating your existing executive compensation, the guide provides a practical starting point for making informed decisions.
Download the 2027 Executive Compensation Guide
Planning a leadership hire? Platinum Search Partners can also provide a customized compensation benchmark and initial search strategy consultation at no cost.