UPDATE: A staggering 194 CEOs have left their positions in California in just the first nine months of 2025, marking the highest rate of executive exits in the United States. New reports from workplace consultants at Challenger, Gray & Christmas reveal that nationwide, 1,650 CEOs have departed, continuing a troubling trend of corporate leadership instability.
This sharp rise in CEO turnover is alarming, reflecting a broader instability in the job market. In the same period last year, 1,652 CEOs exited their roles, but the median number of departures over the past nine years was only 1,004. This indicates a shocking increase of 64% in CEO changes, highlighting the urgency of the current corporate climate.
California, the nation’s largest economy, leads the way with a significant 12% share of U.S. CEO exits. Following California are Texas with 132, North Carolina with 102, Florida at 98, and Pennsylvania with 75. The data underscores California’s pivotal role in the economic landscape, home to 18 million workers—over 11% of the nation’s total workforce.
Despite its position, California’s CEO turnover saw an increase of only five from last year, making it the 12th largest increase nationally. Texas experienced the most significant jump at 28, followed by Georgia with 24 and Indiana with 18. Conversely, Massachusetts saw the largest decline, with 26 fewer CEOs leaving their posts.
The implications of these changes extend beyond the executive suite. California is also grappling with significant job losses, with 158,700 workers affected by planned layoffs from major employers in the first ten months of 2025. This accounts for 14% of the 1.1 million U.S. layoffs during the same period. The state’s layoff figures are surpassed only by Washington, D.C., which reported 303,800 layoffs.
California’s planned layoffs have surged 16% from the previous year, while the national average has increased by only 4%. Following California’s layoff figures are New York with 81,701, Georgia with 78,049, and Washington state with 77,700 planned cuts.
The growing uncertainty in California’s corporate environment is alarming not only for executives but also for the millions of workers reliant on stable employment. As CEO departures continue to rise, the impact on business operations and employee morale could be profound.
What’s next? Analysts and employees alike will be closely monitoring the corporate landscape as companies navigate this turbulent time. With the potential for more shifts in leadership and increased layoffs, stakeholders across California and the nation must prepare for continued changes.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as we track the fallout from California’s unprecedented CEO turnover and its broader economic implications.
