What is a Chief Executive?
Chief Executive Definition 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.
Life As a Chief Executive: What Do They Do?
- Attend and participate in meetings of municipal councils or council committees.
- Direct or conduct studies or research on issues affecting areas of responsibility.
- Direct or coordinate activities of businesses involved with buying or selling investment products or financial services.
- Prepare bylaws approved by elected officials and ensure that bylaws are enforced.
- Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.
- Administer programs for selection of sites, construction of buildings, or provision of equipment or supplies.
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Qualities of a Chief Executive
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.
Other Chief Executive Job Titles
- Vice President
- Licensing and Registration Director
- Agricultural Services Director
- County Administrator
- Supervisor
Job Outlook for Chief Executives
There were about 308,900 jobs for Chief Executive in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Chief Executive. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 20,000 job openings in this field each year.
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.
Chief Executive Salary
The typical yearly salary for Chief Executives is somewhere 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 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?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Chief Executives:
- 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
Becoming a Chief Executive
Learn what Chief Executive education requirements there are.
How many years of work experience do I need?
Chief Executives Sector
The table below shows the approximate number of Chief Executives employed by various industries.
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Chief Executive may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as a Chief Executive sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Mike Moore via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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