Healthcare CEOs average 6.4 years in the role, below the 7.1-year cross-industry average, according to the 2026 “Mid-year Volatility Report” from executive search firm Crist Kolder Associates.
The executive recruiting firm tracks the backgrounds and turnover of C-suite executives across 665 Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies, 9.7% of which are healthcare organizations. This year’s data covers Jan. 1, 1996, through July 31, 2026.
Here is the average CEO tenure by industry:
Technology: 10.5 years
Financial: 8.9 years
Services: 7.5 years
Healthcare: 6.4 years
Industrial: 6.4 years
Consumer: 5.4 years
Energy: 4.8 years
Three more findings on healthcare CEOs:
1. Healthcare accounted for 9.6% of CEO turnover across the portfolio year to date, roughly in line with its 9.7% share of companies tracked. Overall CEO turnover is projected to be 11.1% for the full year, near the decade average of 11.2%.
2. Healthcare CEOs are the most likely of any sector to hold an MD or PhD, at 13.8%, against 4.3% across all industries. They are also the most likely to hold an advanced degree of any kind, with 64.6% holding an MBA or master’s, and none holding a JD.
3. Twenty-seven healthcare CEOs also serve as board chair, down from 30 in each of the prior three years.
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