What is a Chief Executive?
Job Description: 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
- Administer programs for selection of sites, construction of buildings, or provision of equipment or supplies.
- Make presentations to legislative or other government committees regarding policies, programs, or budgets.
- Review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes.
- Nominate citizens to boards or commissions.
- Conduct or direct investigations or hearings to resolve complaints or violations of laws or testify at such hearings.
- Organize or approve promotional campaigns.
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What Every Chief Executive Should Know
Chief Executives state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Types of Chief Executive
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Chairman
- Labor Standards Director
- Chief Warden
- Newspaper Publisher
Job Outlook for Chief Executives
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 308,900 jobs in the United States for Chief Executive. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Chief Executive. The BLS estimates 20,000 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
How Much Does a Chief Executive Make?
The average yearly salary of a Chief Executive ranges between $68,360 and $208,000.

Chief Executives who work in California, District of Columbia, or Georgia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Chief Executives make in different U.S. states?
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 do I Become a Chief Executive?
Learn what Chief Executive education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Chief Executive?

Where do Chief Executives Work?

The table below shows the approximate number of Chief Executives employed by various industries.

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Chief Executive might also be interested in the following careers:
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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