Chief executives held about 263,200 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of chief executives were as follows:
| Self-employed workers | 21% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 11 |
| Government | 10 |
| Manufacturing | 7 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 7 |
General and operations managers held about 2.4 million jobs in 2018. The largest employers of general and operations managers were as follows:
| Retail trade | 12% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 11 |
| Manufacturing | 9 |
| Wholesale trade | 9 |
| Construction | 7 |
Top executives work in nearly every industry. They work for both small and large businesses, ranging from companies in which they are the sole employee to firms with hundreds of thousands of employees.
Because top executives are responsible for the success of a business, the work is often stressful. Executives in charge of poorly performing organizations or departments may find their jobs in jeopardy.
Top executives frequently travel to attend meetings and conferences or to visit their company’s local, regional, national, and international offices.
Top executives often spend time interacting with other high-level executives of the company, for example financial managers, human resource managers, or chief technology officers.
Work Schedules
Top executives often work many hours, including evenings and weekends.
Although education and training requirements vary widely by position and industry, most top executives have at least a bachelor’s degree and a considerable amount of work experience.
Education
Many top executives have a bachelor’s or master’s 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 master’s degree in business administration (MBA).
College presidents and school superintendents are typically required to have a master’s degree, although a doctorate is often preferred.
Although many mayors, governors, or other public sector executives have at least a bachelor’s degree, these positions typically do not have any specific education requirements.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Many top executives advance within their own firm, moving up from lower level management occupations or supervisory positions. However, other companies may prefer to hire qualified candidates from outside their organization. Top executives who are promoted from lower level positions may be able to substitute experience for education to move up in the company. For example, in some industries, workers without a college degree may work their way up to higher levels within the company to become executives or general managers.
Chief executives typically need extensive managerial experience. Executives are also expected to have experience in the organization’s area of specialty. Most general and operations managers hired from outside an organization need lower level supervisory or management experience in a related field.
Some general managers advance to higher level managerial or executive positions. Company training programs and executive development programs can often benefit managers or executives hoping to advance.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
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).
Top executives typically have an interest in the Persuading interest area, according to the Holland Code framework. The Persuading interest area indicates a focus on influencing, motivating, and selling to other people.
If you are not sure whether you have a Persuading interest which might fit with a career as a top executive, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Top executives should also possess the following specific qualities:
Communication skills. Top executives must be able to communicate clearly and persuasively. They must effectively discuss issues and negotiate with others, direct subordinates, and explain their policies and decisions to those within and outside the organization.
Decision-making skills. Top executives need decision-making skills when setting policies and managing an organization. They must assess different options and choose the best course of action, often daily.
Leadership skills. Top executives must be able to lead an organization successfully by coordinating policies, people, and resources.
Management skills. Top executives must organize and direct the operations of an organization. For example, they must manage business plans, employees, and budgets.
Problem-solving skills. Top executives need problem-solving skills after identifying issues within an organization. They must be able to recognize shortcomings and effectively carry out solutions.
Time-management skills. Top executives must be able to do many tasks at the same time, typically under their own direction, to ensure that their work gets done and that they meet their goals.
The median annual wage for chief executives was $184,460 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $62,290, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $208,000.
The median annual wage for general and operations managers was $100,780 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $45,050, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $208,000.
In May 2019, the median annual wages for chief executives in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $208,000 or more |
| Manufacturing | 208,000 or more |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 166,410 |
| Government | 110,230 |
In May 2019, the median annual wages for general and operations managers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $140,840 |
| Manufacturing | 118,180 |
| Wholesale trade | 104,880 |
| Construction | 102,270 |
| Retail trade | 73,190 |
Because the responsibilities of general and operations managers vary significantly among industries, earnings also tend to vary considerably.
Top executives are among the highest paid workers in the United States. However, salary levels can vary substantially. For example, a top manager in a large corporation can earn significantly more than the mayor of a small town.
In addition to salaries, total compensation for corporate executives often includes stock options and other performance bonuses. They also may enjoy benefits, such as access to expense allowances, use of company-owned aircraft and cars, and membership to exclusive clubs. Nonprofit and government executives usually receive fewer of these types of incentives.
Top executives often work many hours, including evenings and weekends.
Overall employment of top executives is projected to grow 6 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment growth will vary widely by occupation (see table below) and industry, and is largely dependent on the rate of industry growth.
Top executives are essential for running companies and organizations and their work is central to the success of a company.
Generally, employment growth will be driven by the formation of new organizations and expansion of existing ones, which will require more managers and executives to direct these operations.
However, improving office technology and changing organizational structures have increased the ability of the chief executive officer to manage the day-to-day operations of a business. In addition, the rate of new firm creation has slowed in recent years, with economic activity and employment becoming increasingly concentrated in larger, more mature companies. The demand for chief executives is projected to decline slightly because of the expectation that these trends are likely to continue over the decade.
Job Prospects
Top executives are expected to face very strong competition for jobs. The high pay and prestige associated with these positions attract many qualified applicants.
Those with an advanced degree and extensive managerial experience will have the best job prospects.
For more information about top executives, including educational programs, visit
American Management Association
National Management Association
For more information about executive financial management careers, visit
Financial Executives International
Financial Management Association International
CareerOneStop
For career videos on top executives, visit