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Chief Executive

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What Do Chief Executive Do?

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.

Life As a Chief Executive

  • Direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, or to increase productivity.
  • Direct human resources activities, including the approval of human resource plans or activities, the selection of directors or other high-level staff, or establishment or organization of major departments.
  • Preside over or serve on boards of directors, management committees, or other governing boards.
  • Review and analyze legislation, laws, or public policy and recommend changes to promote or support interests of the general population or special groups.
  • Negotiate or approve contracts or agreements with suppliers, distributors, federal or state agencies, or other organizational entities.
  • Prepare bylaws approved by elected officials and ensure that bylaws are enforced.

Qualities of a Chief Executive

These are the skills Chief Executives say are the most useful in their careers:

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.

  • Lieutenant Governor
  • U.S. Commissioner
  • Program Manager
  • Welfare Director
  • Tax Commissioner

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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 20,000 job openings in this field each year.

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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.

How Much Does a Chief Executive Make?

The typical yearly salary for Chief Executives is somewhere between $68,360 and $208,000.

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

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Chief Executives 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

Tools & Technologies Used by Chief Executives

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?

Education needed to be a Chief Executive:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where Chief Executives Are Employed

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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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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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