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The differences between executive directors/chief executive officer and executive directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become an executive director/chief executive officer, becoming an executive director takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an executive director/chief executive officer has an average salary of $133,699, which is higher than the $127,956 average annual salary of an executive director.
The top three skills for an executive director/chief executive officer include financial management, regulatory compliance and business strategy. The most important skills for an executive director are oversight, patients, and customer service.
| Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer | Executive Director | |
| Yearly salary | $133,699 | $127,956 |
| Hourly rate | $64.28 | $61.52 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 168,416 | 97,471 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 52 | 49 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
An executive director/chief executive officer is an executive who is in-charged in the management of a company's overall operations and growth. The position is decided by the company's board and its shareholders. The executive's primary responsibilities include making major corporate decisions and managing company resources. The role of a chief executive officer varies depending on the size of the company, its culture, and corporate structure. Also, the position requires good interpersonal, leadership, analytical, and management skills to accomplish such responsibilities.
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.
Executive directors/chief executive officer and executive directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer | Executive Director | |
| Average salary | $133,699 | $127,956 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $231,000 | Between $76,000 And $213,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Open Society Foundations | Genentech |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between an executive director/chief executive officer and an executive director in terms of educational background:
| Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer | Executive Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between executive directors/chief executive officer' and executive directors' demographics:
| Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer | Executive Director | |
| Average age | 52 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% | Male, 47.0% Female, 53.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 7.7% White, 76.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | 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% |