Chief executive officers (CEOs): Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Chief executive officers (CEOs), who are also known by titles such as executive director, managing director, or president, provide overall direction for companies and organizations. CEOs manage company operations, formulate and implement policies, and ensure goals are met. They collaborate with and direct the work of other top executives and typically report to a board of directors.
There may be other types of chief executives, for example chief operating officers (COOs), chief financial officers (CFOs), or chief human resources officers, who manage a specific part of the business organization. The knowledge, skills, and job duties that these executives have will differ depending on what department they oversee.
Job titles may vary in the public sector or in the education industry. The following are examples of types of top executives working in the public sector for local and state governments:
- Education Required
- Many top executives have a bachelors or masters degree in business administration or in an area related to their field of work. Top executives in the public sector often have a degree in business administration, public administration, law, or the liberal arts. Top executives of large corporations often have a masters degree in business administration (MBA).
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 8% (As fast as average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Licenses/Certifications
- Some top executive positions may require the applicant to have a license or certification relevant to their area of management. For example, some employers may require their chief executive officer to be a certified public accountant (CPA).
- Median pay: How much do Top Executives make?
- $103,950 Annual Salary
- $49.97 per hour
Careers for Top Executives
- Board chairmen
- CEOs
- Chairpersons of the board
- Chancellors
- Chief executive officers (C.E.O.)
- Chief financial officers (C.F.O.)
- Chief information officers (C.I.O.)
- Chief operating officers (C.O.O.)
- Chief sustainability officers
- City superintendents
- College presidents
- Commissioners
- County administrators
- Directors
- Executives
- General and operations managers
- Governors
- Lieutenant governors
- Managers
- Mayors
- Operations managers
- Presidents
- School superintendents
- Superintendents
- University presidents
- Vice presidents