UPDATE: A staggering 194 CEOs have left their positions in California in 2025, making it the state with the highest number of executive departures in the United States. This alarming trend highlights a shaky job market that continues to undermine job security for top executives.
According to a report by workplace consultants Challenger, Gray & Christmas, 1,650 CEOs nationwide lost their jobs in just the first nine months of 2025. This figure reflects a significant increase compared to the median of 1,004 CEO exits over the previous nine years for the same period, marking a steep rise of 64%.
California’s dominance in CEO turnover is notable, as it accounts for 12% of all U.S. CEO exits, in line with its status as the nation’s largest economy. Following California, Texas recorded 132 CEO departures, while North Carolina saw 102, Florida 98, and Pennsylvania 75.
The rise in CEO exits is part of a broader pattern, with California experiencing an increase of five executive departures compared to last year. Texas reported the largest jump with 28 additional exits, followed by Georgia with 24 and Indiana with 18.
In addition to CEO turnover, California is also grappling with significant layoffs. As of October 2025, layoff plans have affected 158,700 workers in the state, making it the second-largest employment cut in the nation, which accounts for 14% of the 1.1 million layoffs across the country. The national layoff hotspot remains Washington, D.C., with 303,800 job losses.
These layoffs in California have surged by 16% over the past year, starkly contrasting with a national increase of only 4%. Among California’s economic rivals, Texas ranks seventh with 46,400 planned job cuts, while Florida follows closely at ninth with 22,800.
The growing trend of CEO changes and layoffs raises urgent questions about the stability of California’s business landscape. As companies reassess their leadership and workforce needs, the implications for employees and the economy could be profound.
NEXT: Stakeholders and employees across California will be watching closely as the year progresses. With economic pressures mounting, further shifts in leadership and job security are anticipated.
As the situation evolves, the focus will remain on how these changes affect California’s position in the national economy and the job market at large.
