Chief executives
SOC Code: 11-1011
Chief executives carries a 43% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $206,420 and +4.3% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 309,400 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 43% AI exposure, Chief executives sits 6 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 76% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Chief executives sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Chief executives has ai exposure of 43%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Chief executives vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Chief executives is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Chief executives (SOC 11-1011) carries an AI exposure score of 43%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 309,400 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +4.3% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $206,420, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus 5 years or more of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Chief executives. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
- 2. Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of sustainability programs.
- 3. Develop or execute strategies to address issues such as energy use, resource conservation, recycling, pollution reduction, waste elimination, transportation, education, and building design.
- 4. Develop, or oversee the development of, sustainability evaluation or monitoring systems.
- 5. Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.
- 6. Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.
- 7. 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.
- 8. Supervise employees or volunteers working on sustainability projects.
- 9. Prepare or present reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, government statutes or rulings, or other items affecting businesses or program services.
- 10. Implement corrective action plans to solve organizational or departmental problems.
Key Skills Required
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Social Perceptiveness
- Persuasion
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Systems Analysis
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Law and Government
- Communications and Media
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Economics and Accounting
- Sales and Marketing
- Transportation
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Chief executives?
Chief executives has an AI exposure score of 43%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Chief executives?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Chief executives is projected to grow by 4.3% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 309,400 workers.
What skills are needed for Chief executives?
Key skills for Chief executives include Writing, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Chief executives earn?
The median annual wage for Chief executives is $206,420, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Chief executives?
The typical entry-level education for Chief executives is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect 5 years or more of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Chief executives?
Chief executives roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).