Chief Executives

People in this career provide high-level direction for public and private organizations. Day-to-day activities involve making critical decisions, solving complex problems, and establishing organizational goals and strategies. These leaders coordinate operational activities with the assistance of subordinate managers and staff. Communication is a major part of the job, as executives must regularly interact with board members, employees, and external stakeholders. They spend significant time building teams, coaching staff, and motivating their personnel.

To succeed in this role, individuals need strong skills in judgment, critical thinking, and negotiation. Managing financial and personnel resources is also essential. This career strongly appeals to those with enterprising interests who enjoy starting and carrying out projects. Important work styles for these leaders include dependability, integrity, stress tolerance, and initiative. They must also possess a solid foundation of knowledge in administration, economics, accounting, and human resources.

To enter this career, a bachelor's degree is typically the minimum educational requirement. Common college majors that prepare students for these roles include business administration, finance, public administration, management sciences, and entrepreneurial studies. However, because these positions require extensive preparation, most professionals in the field also hold a graduate degree, such as a master's degree, PhD, MD, or JD.

In addition to formal degrees, some professionals pursue specialized credentials to enhance their qualifications. For example, the Healthcare Billing and Management Association offers the Certified Healthcare Business Management Executive Certification. Depending on the location and industry, some states also list licensing options for individuals performing this work. Most people reach this executive level after gaining years of experience in related roles, such as general managers, management analysts, or financial controllers.

The median annual pay for chief executives is $213,990. The lowest 10% of earners in this field make less than $75,700, while the highest 10% earn more than $507,730.

There are 204,350 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 3.2%, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. Despite this average growth rate, the field expects about 19,100 job openings each year.