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What Does it Take to Be a Chief Executive?

Job Description & Duties 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.

Daily Life Of a Chief Executive

  • Appoint department heads or managers and assign or delegate responsibilities to them.
  • 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.
  • Administer programs for selection of sites, construction of buildings, or provision of equipment or supplies.
  • Prepare or present reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, government statutes or rulings, or other items affecting businesses or program services.
  • Review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes.
  • Implement corrective action plans to solve organizational or departmental problems.

What a Chief Executive Should Know

When polled, Chief Executives say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

  • Employment Services Director
  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
  • Election Assistant
  • Chief Diversity Officer (CDO)
  • Chief Administrative Officer

Is There Going to be Demand for Chief Executives?

In the United States, there were 308,900 jobs for Chief Executive in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Chief Executive. The BLS estimates 20,000 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Chief Executive are Washington, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Ohio, or Pennsylvania. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Chief Executives Make A Lot Of Money?

Chief Executives make between $68,360 and $208,000 a year.

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Chief Executives who work in California, District of Columbia, or Georgia, make the highest salaries.

How much do Chief Executives make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $204,590
Alaska $179,630
Arizona $194,360
Arkansas $126,960
California $228,270
Colorado $198,130
Connecticut $210,650
District of Columbia $247,500
Florida $187,870
Georgia $218,590
Hawaii $201,680
Idaho $94,470
Illinois $230,070
Indiana $148,730
Iowa $211,560
Kansas $172,100
Kentucky $152,670
Louisiana $208,110
Maine $152,780
Maryland $198,260
Massachusetts $221,810
Michigan $206,660
Minnesota $195,320
Mississippi $112,310
Missouri $167,980
Montana $132,400
Nebraska $220,950
Nevada $215,590
New Hampshire $180,250
New Jersey $233,050
New York $220,040
North Carolina $210,050
North Dakota $172,900
Ohio $201,100
Oklahoma $157,540
Oregon $212,290
Pennsylvania $231,120
Rhode Island $242,350
South Carolina $182,760
South Dakota $251,950
Tennessee $152,730
Texas $239,680
Utah $165,020
Vermont $136,410
Virginia $228,540
Washington $220,730
West Virginia $153,880
Wisconsin $154,820
Wyoming $131,020

What Tools do Chief Executives Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Chief Executives may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Email software
  • SAP
  • Microsoft Project
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Structured query language SQL
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor
  • Oracle PeopleSoft
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software

How to Become a Chief Executive

Are there Chief Executives education requirements?

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What work experience do I need to become a Chief Executive?

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Where Chief Executives Work

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Similar Careers

Those interested in being a Chief Executive may also be interested in:

Are you already one of the many Chief Executive in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

Image Credit: Mike Moore via public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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