Business executive demographics and statistics in the US
Business executive demographics research summary. Zippia estimates business executive demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our business executive estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about business executives after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 69,694 business executives currently employed in the United States.
- 40.1% of all business executives are women, while 59.9% are men.
- The average business executive age is 44 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of business executives is White (67.8%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (15.0%), Asian (6.3%) and Black or African American (6.1%).
- In 2022, women earned 83% of what men earned.
- 10% of all business executives are LGBT.
- Business executives are 53% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to public companies.
On this page
Business executive demographics by:
Business executive gender statistics
40.1% of business executives are women and 59.9% of business executives are men.
- Male, 59.9%
- Female, 40.1%
Business executive gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 59.9% |
| Female | 40.1% |
Business executive gender pay gap
Women earn 83¢ for every $1 earned by men
Male income
$67,582
Female income
$55,957
Business executive gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in business executive positions over time. Currently, 40.1% of business executives are female.
Business executive gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 65.68% | 34.32% |
| 2011 | 65.01% | 34.99% |
| 2012 | 64.21% | 35.79% |
| 2013 | 64.73% | 35.27% |
| 2014 | 66.53% | 33.47% |
| 2015 | 65.26% | 34.74% |
| 2016 | 66.15% | 33.85% |
| 2017 | 63.55% | 36.45% |
| 2018 | 63.47% | 36.53% |
| 2019 | 61.49% | 38.51% |
| 2020 | 61.61% | 38.39% |
| 2021 | 59.88% | 40.12% |
Business executive related jobs gender ratio
We compared business executives with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, district commercial superintendent and street superintendent have the biggest gender ratio gaps.
| Job title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Assistant To General Manager | 9% | 91% |
| Manager Stylist | 9% | 91% |
| Salon Manager | 12% | 88% |
| Business Executive | 60% | 40% |
| General Superintendent | 97% | 3% |
| Street Superintendent | 97% | 3% |
| District Commercial Superintendent | 98% | 2% |
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Business executive demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among business executives is White, which makes up 67.8% of all business executives. Comparatively, 15.0% of business executives are Hispanic or Latino and 6.3% of business executives are Asian.
- White, 67.8%
- Hispanic or Latino, 15.0%
- Asian, 6.3%
- Black or African American, 6.1%
- Unknown, 4.3%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
Business executive race
| Business executive race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 67.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 15.0% |
| Asian | 6.3% |
| Black or African American | 6.1% |
| Unknown | 4.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.5% |
Business executive race and ethnicity over time
See how business executive racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
Business executive race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 75.51% | 6.22% | 5.20% | 10.80% |
| 2011 | 75.35% | 6.38% | 5.22% | 10.51% |
| 2012 | 75.00% | 5.95% | 5.35% | 11.59% |
| 2013 | 75.51% | 5.77% | 5.40% | 10.95% |
| 2014 | 74.40% | 5.74% | 5.29% | 12.31% |
| 2015 | 74.41% | 5.80% | 5.23% | 12.23% |
| 2016 | 72.08% | 6.31% | 5.68% | 13.44% |
| 2017 | 73.44% | 5.80% | 5.42% | 12.94% |
| 2018 | 73.00% | 5.57% | 6.00% | 12.81% |
| 2019 | 71.62% | 5.84% | 6.04% | 13.88% |
| 2020 | 69.86% | 5.88% | 5.68% | 13.77% |
| 2021 | 67.81% | 6.12% | 6.31% | 14.97% |
Business executive wage gap by race
According to our data, asian business executives have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Black or african american business executives have the lowest average salary at $62,491.
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $65,827 |
| White | $70,311 |
| Black or African American | $62,491 |
| Asian | $72,306 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $67,413 |
Average business executive age
See how the average age of business executives varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Business executive age by race and gender
| Race | Male age | Female age |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 42 | 45 |
| Unknown | 42 | 41 |
| Asian | 43 | 41 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 42 | 40 |
| White | 45 | 44 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 43 | 44 |
Business executive age breakdown
The average age of business executives is 40+ years years old, representing 64% of the business executive population.
Business executive age breakdown
| Business Executive Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 64% |
| 30-40 years | 30% |
| 20-30 years | 6% |
Business executive educational attainment
The most common degree for business executives is bachelor's degree, with 67% of business executives earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 17% and master's degree degree at 7%.
- Bachelor's, 67%
- Master's, 17%
- Associate, 7%
- Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 6%
Business executives by degree level
| Business executive degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 67% |
| Master's | 17% |
| Associate | 7% |
| Diploma | 3% |
| Other Degrees | 6% |
Business executive jobs you might like
Business executive wage gap by degree level
According to the data, business executives with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $100,455 annually. With a Doctorate degree, business executives earn a median annual income of $93,873 compared to $76,755 for business executives with an Bachelor's degree.
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $100,455 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $53,161 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $76,755 |
| Doctorate Degree | $93,873 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $56,154 |
Business executive employment statistics
Most business executives work for a private in the technology industry.
Company size where business executives work
Below, you can see the size of companies where business executives work.
Business executive jobs by employer size
| Company size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 7% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 14% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 16% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 5% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 23% |
| > 10,000 employees | 35% |
Business executive jobs by company type
Employees with the business executive job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most business executives prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Business executive jobs by sector
| Company type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 8% |
| Public | 37% |
| Private | 53% |
| Government | 2% |
Business executive jobs by industry
The most common industries for business executives are technology, finance and professional.
Business executive industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Technology | 15% |
| Fortune 500 | 15% |
| Finance | 10% |
| Professional | 9% |
| Manufacturing | 7% |
| Education | 7% |
| Media | 6% |
| Telecommunication | 6% |
| Health Care | 4% |
| Pharmaceutical | 3% |
| Hospitality | 2% |
| Transportation | 2% |
| Government | 2% |
| Retail | 2% |
| Non Profits | 2% |
| Insurance | 2% |
| Energy | 2% |
| Internet | 1% |
| Utilities | 1% |
| Start-up | 1% |
| Real Estate | 1% |
Business executive turnover and employment statistics
Business executive unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for business executives between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Business executive unemployment rate by year
| Year | Business executive unemployment rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 6.02% |
| 2011 | 5.17% |
| 2012 | 4.50% |
| 2013 | 3.74% |
| 2014 | 3.19% |
| 2015 | 2.83% |
| 2016 | 2.57% |
| 2017 | 2.68% |
| 2018 | 2.15% |
| 2019 | 2.22% |
| 2020 | 3.68% |
| 2021 | 4.01% |
Average business executive tenure
The average business executive stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 1,542 business executives resumes in Zippia's database.
Business executive tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 19% |
| 1-2 years | 40% |
| 3-4 years | 15% |
| 5-7 years | 13% |
| 8-10 years | 5% |
| 11+ years | 9% |
Business executive LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of business executives that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
| Job title | LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Manager | 7.93% | 42,602 |
| Supply Chain Manager | 8.41% | 37,773 |
| Sales Support Manager | 9.38% | 166,510 |
| Business Executive | 10.39% | - |
| Assembly Member | 11.63% | 9,638 |
| Human Resources Vice President | 13.02% | 74,729 |
| Promotion Manager | 14.95% | 8,515 |
Similar business executive jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Manager | 7.93% | 42,602 |
| Supply Chain Manager | 8.41% | 37,773 |
| Sales Support Manager | 9.38% | 166,510 |
| Assembly Member | 11.63% | 9,638 |
| Human Resources Vice President | 13.02% | 74,729 |
| Promotion Manager | 14.95% | 8,515 |
Foreign languages spoken by business executives
The most common foreign language among business executives is Spanish at 40.0%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 18.7% and Arabic is the third-most popular at 6.7%.
- Spanish, 40.0%
- French, 18.7%
- Arabic, 6.7%
- German, 5.3%
- Mandarin, 5.3%
- Other, 24.0%
Business executive languages spoken
| Foreign language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 40.0% |
| French | 18.7% |
| Arabic | 6.7% |
| German | 5.3% |
| Mandarin | 5.3% |
| Other | 24.0% |
