Chief Executives
SOC code 11-1011 · O*NET-SOC 11-1011.00 · Extensive preparation needed
Chief Executives pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$213,990
a year
Hourly
$102.88
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$269,630
$129.63 per hour
Middle 50%
$129,540 – $356,200
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$75,700 – $507,730
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
204,350
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $75,700
- $36.39/hr
- 25th percentile
- $129,540
- $62.28/hr
- Median percentile
- $213,990
- $102.88/hr
- 75th percentile
- $356,200
- $171.25/hr
- 90th percentile
- $507,730
- $244.10/hr
What does a chief executive do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
- Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.
- Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.
- 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.
- Prepare or present reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, government statutes or rulings, or other items affecting businesses or program services.
- Implement corrective action plans to solve organizational or departmental problems.
- 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.
- Direct or coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
How to become a chief executive
Most people in this role hold master's degree — 46% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Master's Degree46%
- Bachelor's Degree32%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree5%
- Doctoral Degree5%
Common questions
How much does a chief executive earn?
The national median is $213,990 a year. The full range runs from $75,700 at the 10th percentile to $507,730 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a chief executive without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Critical Thinking4.4/5
- Speaking4.3/5
- Reading Comprehension4.1/5
- Writing4.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Administration and Management4.8/5
- Personnel and Human Resources4.5/5
- English Language4.4/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- Economics and Accounting4.0/5
- Public Safety and Security3.9/5
- Computers and Electronics3.8/5
- Sales and Marketing3.8/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination, Systems Evaluation, Management of Financial Resources, Management of Personnel Resources.