Chief executives vs. General and operations managers
| Measure | Chief executives | General and operations managers |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage (May 2025) | $213,990 | $105,770 |
| 10th percentile wage | $75,700 | $50,090 |
| 90th percentile wage | $507,730 | $253,390 |
| Employment (May 2025) | 204,350 | 3,503,020 |
| Projected change, 2025 to 2035 | +3.2% | +5.0% |
| Openings per year | 19,100 | 285,000 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Related work experience | 5 years or more | 5 years or more |
| On-the-job training | None | None |
| O*NET Job Zone (1 to 5) | 5 | 4 |
| Self-employed share | 26.6% | 0.8% |
| Top skills | Critical Thinking, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Writing | Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring |
| Licenses and certifications in our library | None listed | None listed |
Wages Verified data describe all workers in each occupation, not starting pay. Growth and openings are Official projection. Highlighted cells mark the highest median wage and fastest projected growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: National Center for O*NET Development for USDOL/ETA, O*NET 31.0 Database (August 2026 release). Database release 31.0, August 2026; element dates vary by occupation. Published August 25, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.