Chief Executives

SOC: 11-1011 O*NET: 11-1011.00
Median Salary
$206,420
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.3%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
22.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

What does a Chief Executives do?

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$73,710
10th percentile
Early Career
$126,080
25th percentile
Median
$206,420
50th percentile
Experienced
$0
75th percentile
Top Earners
$0
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$73,710
25th
$126,080
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$206,420
Mean: $262,930
75th
$0
90th
$0
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans -$73,710 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $126,080 and $0
  • Salary spread is -61.1% around the median, showing low variation
  • Total national employment: 211,850 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:309,400

Top Industries

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services18.9%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services18.9%
Management of Companies and Enterprises7.9%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+4.3%
Annual Openings:22,200

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)309,400
Current
2034 (Projected)322,700
+4.3%
+13,300
Employment Change
+4.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Chief Executives professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 49 locations
California
36,980 jobs$220,6001.49x
Pennsylvania
14,140 jobs$220,5101.71x
New York
7,830 jobs$219,3200.60x
Massachusetts
7,110 jobs$01.42x
Minnesota
6,690 jobs$194,1601.67x
Georgia
5,440 jobs$201,7500.81x
Tennessee
5,360 jobs$173,8701.19x
Illinois
5,150 jobs$00.62x
Virginia
4,620 jobs$00.83x
Maryland
4,580 jobs$01.21x
Wisconsin
4,440 jobs$209,0901.10x
Ohio
4,430 jobs$208,5900.58x
Washington
4,140 jobs$00.85x
Missouri
4,050 jobs$158,9301.01x
Utah
3,980 jobs$163,9801.69x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Writing
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Reading Comprehension
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Systems Evaluation
54%
#9
Persuasion
46%
#10
Social Perceptiveness
40%

Skills Overview

Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Writing
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Systems Evaluation
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Critical Thinking

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Writing

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Active Listening

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Reading Comprehension

basic
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Complex Problem Solving

advanced
Importance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0

Judgment and Decision Making

intermediate
Importance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0

Systems Evaluation

basic
Importance54%
skills
2.7/5.0

Persuasion

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Social Perceptiveness

basic
Importance40%
skills
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products82%
5 shared skills
Financial Examiners82%
5 shared skills
Fundraising Managers82%
5 shared skills
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists82%
5 shared skills
Labor Relations Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Lawyers82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Writing
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
Learn on the Job:
  • Systems Evaluation
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Writing
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Writing
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Chief Executives

Technology Intensity
Very High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires expert digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Intuit QuickBooks

🔥 Hot Tech

Atlassian JIRA

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Access

🔥 Hot Tech

Structured query language SQL

🔥 Hot Tech

Adobe Acrobat

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft SharePoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

Extensible markup language XML

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Dynamics

🔥 Hot Tech

Oracle PeopleSoft

🔥 Hot Tech

SAP software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Intuit QuickBooks
Atlassian JIRA
Microsoft Access
Structured query language SQL
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Extensible markup language XML
Microsoft Dynamics
Oracle PeopleSoft
SAP software
Microsoft Office software

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet moderate physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Communication & Coordination (4)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Planning & Development (4)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)General Responsibilities (7)Management & Supervision (3)
1

Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
Communication & Coordination100% perform
2

Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
Communication & Coordination97% perform
3

Analyze operations to evaluate performance of a company or its staff in meeting objectives or to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform
4

Direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, or to increase productivity.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
Planning & Development91% perform
5

Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform
6

Direct or coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
Communication & Coordination85% perform
7

Negotiate or approve contracts or agreements with suppliers, distributors, federal or state agencies, or other organizational entities.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Appoint department heads or managers and assign or delegate responsibilities to them.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Management & Supervision76% perform
10

Direct human resources activities, including the approval of human resource plans or activities, the selection of directors or other high-level staff, or establishment or organization of major departments.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
Planning & Development73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on communication & coordination activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Chief Executives

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Chief Executives professionals typically have a ECS Holland code and highly value recognition

EEnterprising
CConventional
SSocial

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Chief Executives

Leadership

Critical

Leadership

Importance Level4.97

Initiative

Critical

Initiative

Importance Level4.85

Persistence

Critical

Persistence

Importance Level4.76

Analytical Thinking

Critical

Analytical Thinking

Importance Level4.70

Achievement/Effort

Critical

Achievement/Effort

Importance Level4.69

Integrity

Critical

Integrity

Importance Level4.69

Complete Work Styles Profile

Leadership
5.0
Initiative
4.8
Persistence
4.8
Analytical Thinking
4.7
Achievement/Effort
4.7
Integrity
4.7
Cooperation
4.6
Dependability
4.6
Concern for Others
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.4

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years

Preparation Level

Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree

Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.

Training:

Extensive training and work experience required

💼 Experience Requirement

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Master's or doctoral degree
  • Extensive work experience in the field
  • State licensure or professional certification
5

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.

Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification

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