Executive director vs chief executive officer

The differences between executive directors and chief executive officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an executive director, becoming a chief executive officer takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, a chief executive officer has an average salary of $192,260, which is higher than the $127,956 average annual salary of an executive director.

The top three skills for an executive director include oversight, patients and customer service. The most important skills for a chief executive officer are healthcare, patients, and patient care.

Executive director vs chief executive officer overview

	Executive Director	Chief Executive Officer
Yearly salary	$127,956	$192,260
Hourly rate	$61.52	$92.43
Growth rate	-8%	6%
Number of jobs	97,471	149,185
Job satisfaction	4.5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	49	52
Years of experience	4	-

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.

What does a chief executive officer do?

A chief executive officer is the overall head of the company's operations. Chief executive officers are responsible for making corporate decisions that would define the company's performance in the market. A chief executive officer must display exceptional leadership and decision-making skills to create business growth and development strategies. The chief executive officers also provide a regular business update to the board regarding the company's status. They should also be able to identify business opportunities and create long-lasting, professional relationships with business partners and other organizations.

Executive director vs chief executive officer salary

Executive directors and chief executive officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Executive Director	Chief Executive Officer
Average salary	$127,956	$192,260
Salary range	Between $76,000 And $213,000	Between $104,000 And $354,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Urban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying state	New York	Hawaii
Best paying company	Genentech	Alecto Healthcare Services LLC
Best paying industry	Finance	Start-up

Differences between executive director and chief executive officer education

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

	Executive Director	Chief Executive Officer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Executive director vs chief executive officer demographics

Here are the differences between executive directors' and chief executive officers' demographics:

	Executive Director	Chief Executive Officer
Average age	49	52
Gender ratio	Male, 47.0% Female, 53.0%	Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.8% White, 76.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	10%	12%

Differences between executive director and chief executive officer duties and responsibilities

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.

Chief executive officer example responsibilities.

Manage the bidding process by reviewing all RFP and preparing responses.
Manage complex Google, Facebook, SEO/Content, drip email, behavior base emails, and so much more.
Manage and grow Instagram accounts of large and small businesses as well as individual accounts such as models and singers.
Design, execute, and manage the construction and d cor of store location and seasonal windows of old store location.
Develop an IP within the e-Gaming & mobile-gaming world that can achieve ad revenue greater than Google or Facebook potentially combine.
Source and manage contractors for frontend JavaScript development.

Executive director vs chief executive officer skills

Common executive director skills

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

Common chief executive officer skills

Healthcare, 13%
Patients, 10%
Patient Care, 8%
Customer Service, 8%
Financial Management, 6%
Oversight, 5%

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Executive Director vs Chief Executive Officer

Updated January 8, 2025

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