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Business executive vs business owner

The differences between business executives and business owners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a business executive and a business owner. Additionally, a business executive has an average salary of $63,101, which is higher than the $50,934 average annual salary of a business owner.

The top three skills for a business executive include customer service, customer satisfaction and revenue growth. The most important skills for a business owner are customer service, payroll, and financial statements.

Business executive vs business owner overview

Business ExecutiveBusiness Owner
Yearly salary$63,101$50,934
Hourly rate$30.34$24.49
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs138,097107,663
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

What does a business executive do?

The duties of a business executive depend upon their position and industry of employment. In general, they are in charge of spearheading and overseeing business operations to ensure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. They typically have the power to make corporate decisions, set goals and budgets, establish guidelines and timelines, negotiate with potential business partners, and develop business strategies to optimize overall operations. Moreover, a business executive implements and promotes company policies and regulations, creating new ones as needed.

What does a business owner do?

Business owners, also known as Entrepreneurs, are responsible for their company and brand's success. There are many areas of responsibility when you're a business owner, such as in the aspects of planning and budgeting, arranging finances and legal documentation, and even hiring the workforce essential for the business to grow. However, these responsibilities will vary according to how a business owner will uphold them. Moreover, building a business from the ground up requires dedication and a vision and mission for the brand.

Business executive vs business owner salary

Business executives and business owners have different pay scales, as shown below.

Business ExecutiveBusiness Owner
Average salary$63,101$50,934
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $135,000Between $27,000 And $94,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew YorkWashington
Best paying companyThe Walt Disney CompanyBD
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between business executive and business owner education

There are a few differences between a business executive and a business owner in terms of educational background:

Business ExecutiveBusiness Owner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Business executive vs business owner demographics

Here are the differences between business executives' and business owners' demographics:

Business ExecutiveBusiness Owner
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 59.9% Female, 40.1%Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between business executive and business owner duties and responsibilities

Business executive example responsibilities.

  • Manage origination initiatives associate with business accounts, treasury products, and loans while adhering to bank compliance procedures.
  • Consult with businesses to supply accurate product and service information in healthcare territory.
  • Utilize visualization techniques, forecasting, modeling, statistical analysis, and predictive analytics to design and maintain internal business solutions.
  • Require extensive knowledge of trusts, annuities, mutual funds, stocks, capital markets and mortgages.

Business owner example responsibilities.

  • Manage the budget and insure operations run smoothly.
  • Create, own and manage a LLC for grind pet transportation.
  • Establish and manage a beading boutique via the Internet by utilizing Photoshop to post designs on a personal website.
  • Manage sales, customer service, billing, A/P, A/R, vendor relations, negotiations, repairs, and maintenance.
  • Manage end to end business operations including hiring, scheduling visits, conducting customer consultations and performing pet visits.
  • Handle all aspects from A/P to A/R, payroll, ordering and dealing with all distributors and city officials.
  • Show more

Business executive vs business owner skills

Common business executive skills
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 12%
  • Revenue Growth, 10%
  • Emerging Technologies, 8%
  • Healthcare, 5%
  • Business Development, 5%
Common business owner skills
  • Customer Service, 31%
  • Payroll, 12%
  • Financial Statements, 9%
  • Business Plan, 7%
  • Business Model, 3%
  • Real Estate, 2%

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