Chief Executives
Also called: CEO (Chief Executive Officer), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), PresidentDetermine 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.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 16 of its 31 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 3.2% by 2035. In the most exposed occupations, the squeeze shows up first among early-career workers. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
BLS figures cover the broader occupation “Chief executives”, which includes this one and others.
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 1.9% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 7.9 hires for every 10 job openings in professional and business services, which employs about 32% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.7.9 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $166,420 | $134,650 to $222,490 | 810 |
| Alaska | $166,710 | $121,990 to $262,750 | 640 |
| Arkansas | $119,990 | $72,580 to $196,800 | 3,550 |
| California | $218,600 | $133,610 to $351,090 | 34,700 |
| Colorado | $213,370 | $134,380 to $302,380 | not published |
| Connecticut | $295,120 | $203,990 to $456,890 | 1,660 |
| Delaware | $199,990 | $148,830 to $360,810 | 390 |
| Georgia | $208,180 | $109,290 to $378,450 | 4,080 |
| Hawaii | $281,640 | $169,240 to $394,780 | 470 |
| Idaho | $177,210 | $133,310 to $296,580 | 2,920 |
| Illinois | $331,920 | $186,440 to $428,710 | 4,620 |
| Indiana | $254,180 | $134,000 to $377,760 | 1,820 |
| Iowa | $211,190 | $136,440 to $331,660 | 3,050 |
| Kansas | $158,100 | $111,660 to $283,880 | 1,960 |
| Kentucky | $179,530 | $119,990 to $298,750 | 2,070 |
| Maine | $138,770 | $92,240 to $233,540 | 1,580 |
| Maryland | $248,660 | $188,890 to $396,650 | 3,180 |
| Massachusetts | not published | not published | 6,590 |
| Michigan | $255,560 | $160,010 to $405,120 | 4,950 |
| Minnesota | $195,670 | $138,060 to $313,510 | 6,740 |
| Mississippi | $139,250 | $119,580 to $185,680 | 310 |
| Missouri | $172,320 | $111,070 to $275,660 | 2,550 |
| Montana | $182,340 | $104,490 to $312,050 | 670 |
| Nebraska | $214,680 | $150,160 to $335,760 | 2,510 |
| Nevada | $149,770 | $99,340 to $279,600 | 1,370 |
| New Hampshire | $168,590 | $139,360 to $232,570 | not published |
| New Jersey | $310,440 | $207,160 to $448,910 | 2,430 |
| New Mexico | $123,500 | $43,710 to $195,970 | 100 |
| New York | $257,980 | $178,980 to $419,730 | 8,430 |
| North Carolina | $314,290 | $182,980 to $442,080 | 1,930 |
| North Dakota | $164,560 | $129,610 to $240,090 | 380 |
| Ohio | $176,440 | $123,200 to $350,670 | 4,470 |
| Oklahoma | $163,790 | $104,740 to $240,480 | 2,390 |
| Oregon | $341,630 | $217,050 to $520,980 | 910 |
| Pennsylvania | $232,560 | $162,920 to $397,100 | 8,850 |
| Puerto Rico | $97,510 | $71,840 to $155,990 | 2,690 |
| Rhode Island | $235,360 | $181,270 to $414,180 | 460 |
| South Carolina | $168,840 | $109,000 to $258,950 | 1,740 |
| South Dakota | $280,900 | $211,870 to $428,840 | 510 |
| Tennessee | $198,830 | $113,110 to $307,390 | 4,700 |
| Texas | $257,850 | $172,490 to $399,880 | 8,780 |
| Utah | $171,880 | $109,240 to $299,040 | 3,140 |
| Vermont | $175,070 | $138,160 to $303,920 | 360 |
| Virgin Islands | $104,010 | $82,430 to $143,670 | 130 |
| Virginia | $310,740 | $193,700 to $434,580 | 4,870 |
| Washington | $339,810 | $216,230 to $442,180 | 3,170 |
| West Virginia | $151,950 | $97,550 to $253,870 | 1,700 |
| Wisconsin | $208,350 | $152,760 to $318,910 | not published |
| Wyoming | $147,940 | $123,790 to $205,620 | 60 |
Nationally: $213,990. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 16 of its 31 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Not much | 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. | Not published |
| AI + software | 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. | 0.13% |
| AI + software | Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs. | Not published |
| AI alone | Interpret and explain policies, rules, regulations, or laws to organizations, government or corporate officials, or individuals. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Prepare or present reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, government statutes or rulings, or other items affecting businesses or program services. | 0.01% |
See all 31 tasks
| Not much | Appoint department heads or managers and assign or delegate responsibilities to them. | Not published |
| AI alone | Implement corrective action plans to solve organizational or departmental problems. | Not published |
| AI + software | Deliver speeches, write articles, or present information at meetings or conventions to promote services, exchange ideas, or accomplish objectives. | Not published |
| Not much | Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems. | under 0.01% |
| Not much | Establish departmental responsibilities and coordinate functions among departments and sites. | Not published |
| Not much | Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency. | Not published |
| Not much | Negotiate or approve contracts or agreements with suppliers, distributors, federal or state agencies, or other organizational entities. | Not published |
| AI + software | 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. | Not published |
| Not much | Organize or approve promotional campaigns. | Not published |
| AI + software | Direct or coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products. | Not published |
| Not much | Preside over, or serve on, boards of directors, management committees, or other governing boards. | Not published |
| Not much | Coordinate the development or implementation of budgetary control systems, recordkeeping systems, or other administrative control processes. | Not published |
| AI + software | Serve as liaisons between organizations, shareholders, and outside organizations. | Not published |
| Not much | Attend and participate in meetings of municipal councils or council committees. | Not published |
| AI + software | Review and analyze legislation, laws, or public policy and recommend changes to promote or support interests of the general population or special groups. | 0.01% |
| Not much | Conduct or direct investigations or hearings to resolve complaints or violations of laws, or testify at such hearings. | Not published |
| Not much | Represent organizations or promote their objectives at official functions, or delegate representatives to do so. | Not published |
| AI + software | Direct non-merchandising departments, such as advertising, purchasing, credit, or accounting. | Not published |
| AI alone | Direct or conduct studies or research on issues affecting areas of responsibility. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Refer major policy matters to elected representatives for final decisions. | Not published |
| AI + software | Prepare bylaws approved by elected officials, and ensure that bylaws are enforced. | Not published |
| Not much | Administer programs for selection of sites, construction of buildings, or provision of equipment or supplies. | Not published |
| AI + software | Make presentations to legislative or other government committees regarding policies, programs, or budgets. | Not published |
| Not much | Nominate citizens to boards or commissions. | Not published |
| Not much | Direct or coordinate activities of businesses involved with buying or selling investment products or financial services. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 7 of the 31 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 31 tasks fall under 28 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #5 Provide information or assistance to the public
- #12 Explain regulations, policies, or procedures
- #17 Implement procedures or processes
- and 3 more, in the table below
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manage budgets or finances | |||
| Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures | |||
| Communicate with others about operational plans or activities | |||
| Coordinate activities with clients, agencies, or organizations | |||
| Analyze data to improve operations | |||
| Develop organizational policies, systems, or processes | |||
| Provide information or assistance to the public | |||
| Explain regulations, policies, or procedures |
Show all 28 activities
| Implement procedures or processes | |||
| Research historical or social issues | |||
| Research technology designs or applications | |||
| Assess characteristics or impacts of regulations or policies | |||
| Promote products, services, or programs | |||
| Advise others on business or operational matters | |||
| Investigate criminal or legal matters | |||
| Advise others on legal or regulatory matters | |||
| Resolve personnel or operational problems | |||
| Prepare reports of operational or procedural activities | |||
| Coordinate group, community, or public activities | |||
| Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets | |||
| Assign work to others | |||
| Negotiate contracts or agreements | |||
| Perform recruiting or hiring activities | |||
| Manage human resources activities | |||
| Serve on organizational committees | |||
| Present information in legal proceedings | |||
| Direct construction or extraction activities | |||
| Draft legislation or regulations |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- A document or report26%
- An analysis or summary21%
- A plan or strategy8%
- A chart or visualization7%
- Data or a spreadsheet7%
How they worked with Claude
78% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for chief executives specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 568,575 moves out
- 1 General and Operations Managers High +5.0% 11%
- 2 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 6%
- 3 Management Analysts Very high +10.1% 6%
- 4 Sales Managers High +4.5% 4%
- 5 Postsecondary Teachers, All Other Very high +2.0% 4%
Where people moved in from
of 1,023,948 moves in
- 1 General and Operations Managers High +5.0% 9%
- 2 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 6%
- 3 Sales Managers High +4.5% 3%
- 4 Management Analysts Very high +10.1% 3%
- 5 Medical and Health Services Managers High +24.2% 3%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 4% high school
- 5% associate's
- 32% bachelor's
- 46% master's
- 4% post-master's certificate
- 1% professional doctorate
- 5% research doctorate
- 3% post-doctoral training
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 28 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 2% less than high school
- 8% high school
- 13% some college
- 5% associate's
- 41% bachelor's
- 25% master's
- 3% professional degree
- 3% doctorate
Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 18,331 people surveyed.
Why the two can differ
O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation
9 programs, such as Public Administration, Business/Commerce, General and Business Administration and Management, General.
See all
- Public Administration
- Business/Commerce, General
- Business Administration and Management, General
- Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management
- Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Finance, General
- International Business/Trade/Commerce
- Management Science
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
49.6% this occupation
45.3% all occupations
| By kind | This occupation | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| a license | 10.5% | 19.1% |
| a certification | 1.9% | 5.8% |
| an educational certificate | <0.5% | 2.8% |
Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeships: DOL's list of apprenticeable occupations doesn't include this one.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS · Brynjolfsson, Chandar and Chen, Stanford (Aug 2026)
See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/11-1011.00