What is a Chief Sustainability Officer?
Chief Sustainability Officer Example Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.
Daily Life Of a Chief Sustainability Officer
- Formulate or implement sustainability campaign or marketing strategies.
- Write and distribute financial or environmental impact reports.
- Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of sustainability programs.
- Develop methodologies to assess the viability or success of sustainability initiatives.
- Supervise employees or volunteers working on sustainability projects.
- Direct sustainability program operations to ensure compliance with environmental or governmental regulations.
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Chief Sustainability Officer Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Chief Sustainability Officers say are important on the job.
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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Other Chief Sustainability Officer Job Titles
- Corporate Sustainability Process Manager
- Corporate Sustainability Manager
- Environmental Sustainability Manager
- Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability (VP CSR and Sustainability)
- Chief Green Officer (CGO)
Is There Job Demand for Chief Sustainability Officers?
In the United States, there were 308,900 jobs for Chief Sustainability Officer in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Chief Sustainability Officer. The BLS estimates 20,000 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Chief Sustainability Officer 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.
Average Chief Sustainability Officers Salary
The average yearly salary of a Chief Sustainability Officer ranges between $68,360 and $208,000.

Chief Sustainability Officers who work in California, District of Columbia, or Georgia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Chief Sustainability Officers 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 & Technology do Chief Sustainability Officers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Chief Sustainability Officers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Scheduling software
- Microsoft Dynamics GP
- Teleconferencing software
Becoming a Chief Sustainability Officer
What kind of Chief Sustainability Officer requirements are there?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Chief Sustainability Officer?

Who Employs Chief Sustainability Officers?

Chief Sustainability Officers work in the following industries:

References:
Image Credit: Dave Dugdale via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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