Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Chief Executives
Chief Executives 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.
Table of contents
What they do
Chief Executives 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.
- Direct or coordinate an organization’s financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
- Appoint department heads or managers and assign or delegate responsibilities to them.
- Analyze operations to evaluate the performance of a company or its staff in meeting objectives or to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.
- Direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, maximize returns on investments, or increase productivity.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Chief Executives direct or coordinate an organization’s financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency. They direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, maximize returns on investments, or increase productivity.
A typical day for a Chief Executive will also include:
- Direct or coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
- Analyze operations to evaluate the performance of a company or its staff in meeting objectives or to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.
- Direct non-merchandising departments, such as advertising, purchasing, credit, or accounting.
- Review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes.
- Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Chief Executives also preside over or serve on boards of directors, management committees, or other governing boards. They may also attend and participate in meetings of municipal councils or council committees.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Chief Executives refer major policy matters to elected representatives for final decisions. They might also serve as liaisons between organizations, shareholders, and outside organizations.
In addition, they negotiate or approve contracts or agreements with suppliers, distributors, federal or state agencies, or other organizational entities.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them review and analyze legislation, laws, or public policy and recommend changes to promote or support the interests of the general population or special groups.
To some Chief Executives, it is also their responsibility to review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
88% said they were satisfied with their job and 74% said they found their job meaningful.
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Pros
Suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.
Suitable for people who want recognition and wants career advancement and a prestigious career.
Demand for this career is growing.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
One of the highest-paid careers in the world.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skills, knowledge, and experience are required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Chief Executives with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $62,780 to $114,530 per year or $30 to $55 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $208,000+ | $100+ |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $208,000+ | $100+ |
| Median | $185,950 | $89 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $114,530 | $55 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $62,780 | $30 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Chief Executives based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | $274380 | $131.91 |
| Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation | $267510 | $128.61 |
| Natural Gas Distribution | $264920 | $127.36 |
| Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | $263780 | $126.82 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities | $258010 | $124.04 |
| Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing | $256540 | $123.34 |
| Sound Recording Industries | $256450 | $123.29 |
| Other Pipeline Transportation | $256220 | $123.18 |
| Inland Water Transportation | $253660 | $121.95 |
| Cable and Other Subscription Programming | $253210 | $121.73 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Chief Executives work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Chief Executives including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 16290 | $248610 | $119.52 |
| Local Government | 15010 | $124510 | $59.86 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 9540 | $156150 | $75.07 |
| State Government | 9000 | $121340 | $58.34 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 8920 | $235380 | $113.16 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 8460 | $203630 | $97.90 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 5260 | $213550 | $102.67 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities | 4860 | $214940 | $103.34 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 3990 | $208280 | $100.13 |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations | 3860 | $204650 | $98.39 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
International Business/Trade/Commerce
Management Science
Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies
Social Entrepreneurship
Finance
Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management
Business/Commerce
Business Administration and Management
Public Administration
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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