Clinical director vs executive director

The differences between clinical directors and executive directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a clinical director, becoming an executive director takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an executive director has an average salary of $127,956, which is higher than the $96,497 average annual salary of a clinical director.

The top three skills for a clinical director include patients, patient care and physical therapy. The most important skills for an executive director are oversight, patients, and customer service.

Clinical director vs executive director overview

	Clinical Director	Executive Director
Yearly salary	$96,497	$127,956
Hourly rate	$46.39	$61.52
Growth rate	28%	-8%
Number of jobs	83,232	97,471
Job satisfaction	-	4.5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	47	49
Years of experience	6	4

What does a clinical director do?

A clinical director is a managing professional who manages the work of healthcare providers to ensure quality patient care is achieved. Clinical directors are responsible for organizational tasks such as adjusting staff schedules, explaining insurance benefits to the patients, and managing financial reports. They can work either in small clinics with a smaller workforce or larger hospitals with multiple departments. Clinical directors may also assist in the hiring process of healthcare providers and should establish a positive work environment.

What does an executive director do?

Executive directors are top management employees who usually function as a chief executive officer. This role is usually seen in non-profit organizations. Executive directors provide strategic direction to the organization, and they ensure that the organization's goals are actualized. They provide guidance to the employees and ensure that the employees have the organization's advocacies at the center of every project or program. They oversee the policies of the organization and create strategies that will bring the organization's programs forward. Executive directors are also responsible for making crucial decisions for the betterment of the organization.

Clinical director vs executive director salary

Clinical directors and executive directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Clinical Director	Executive Director
Average salary	$96,497	$127,956
Salary range	Between $63,000 And $145,000	Between $76,000 And $213,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Rhode Island	New York
Best paying company	Sutro Biopharma	Genentech
Best paying industry	Health Care	Finance

Differences between clinical director and executive director education

There are a few differences between a clinical director and an executive director in terms of educational background:

	Clinical Director	Executive Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Nursing	Business
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of Pennsylvania

Clinical director vs executive director demographics

Here are the differences between clinical directors' and executive directors' demographics:

	Clinical Director	Executive Director
Average age	47	49
Gender ratio	Male, 35.2% Female, 64.8%	Male, 47.0% Female, 53.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 8.1% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	10%

Differences between clinical director and executive director duties and responsibilities

Clinical director example responsibilities.

Develop distinctive ambulatory strategies to achieve and sustain competitive healthcare advantage.
Manage and assist with data collection and input for MDS.
Manage quality of documentation through education and electronic review of clinical processes utilizing HCHB EMR.
Manage front office, marketing, and communication -demonstrated/supervise exercises for patients -Developed instructional packets for home exercise programs
Manage projects and ambulatory system initiatives, and collaborate with system leadership teams to ensure EMR alignment with all regulatory requirements.
Experience in GCP, FDA audits, and regulatory guidance review and implementation.

Executive director example responsibilities.

Manage 10 department heads who supervise a staff of 350 FTE's.
Develop and manage sales teams to assure the highest ROI on the client's investment.
Create and manage a call center for lead programs to support the prospecting activity needs of the FSR.
Freelance blogging to increase website views and ultimately to turn organic content into leads and ROI for small businesses.
Market and manage group and individual insurance programs including health, life, disability, long term care and annuities.
Major accomplishment are to achieve initial NAEYC accreditation.

Clinical director vs executive director skills

Common clinical director skills

Patients, 18%
Patient Care, 11%
Physical Therapy, 5%
Social Work, 4%
Rehabilitation, 4%
Clinical Services, 3%

Common executive director skills

Oversight, 10%
Patients, 9%
Customer Service, 5%
Financial Management, 5%
Business Development, 4%
Home Health, 4%

Clinical Director vs. similar jobs

Clinical Director related careers

Clinical Director related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Executive Management Industry
Clinical Director
Clinical Director vs Executive Director

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs