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Job outlook for leaders in the United States
Leader job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected leader job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 28,100 new jobs for leaders are projected over the next decade.
Leader salaries have increased 9% for leaders in the last 5 years.
There are over 42,398 leaders currently employed in the United States.
There are 172,293 active leader job openings in the US.
The average leader salary is $86,964.
Are leader jobs in demand?
Leader job and salary trends over time
Leader jobs over time
Leader job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 42,398 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 42,096 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 44,654 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 44,056 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 43,392 | 0.01% |
Average leader salary over time
Leader salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $86,964 | $41.81 | +2.5% |
| 2025 | $84,833 | $40.79 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $83,602 | $40.19 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $81,457 | $39.16 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $79,949 | $38.44 | +2.6% |
Leader jobs by state
Most common states for leaders
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 315 | 45% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 216 | 35% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 324 | 34% |
| 4 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 1,027 | 33% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,750 | 32% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 426 | 32% |
| 7 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 2,083 | 31% |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,716 | 30% |
| 9 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 175 | 30% |
| 10 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,880 | 28% |
| 11 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,898 | 28% |
| 12 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,894 | 28% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,584 | 28% |
| 14 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 211 | 28% |
| 15 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,658 | 27% |
| 16 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,604 | 27% |
| 17 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 1,333 | 27% |
| 18 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 785 | 27% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 359 | 27% |
| 20 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 3,011 | 26% |
Most common cities for leaders
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 54 | 137% | $89,680 |
| 2 | Lansing | 58 | 50% | $88,875 |
| 3 | Hartford | 42 | 34% | $102,581 |
| 4 | Tallahassee | 40 | 21% | $71,454 |
| 5 | Atlanta | 94 | 20% | $75,916 |
| 6 | Little Rock | 38 | 19% | $63,054 |
| 7 | Baton Rouge | 41 | 18% | $86,151 |
| 8 | Des Moines | 39 | 18% | $61,078 |
| 9 | Boston | 117 | 17% | $104,649 |
| 10 | Sacramento | 51 | 10% | $98,072 |
| 11 | Washington | 64 | 9% | $105,082 |
| 12 | Denver | 56 | 8% | $63,553 |
| 13 | Indianapolis | 63 | 7% | $72,344 |
| 14 | Phoenix | 72 | 4% | $81,837 |
| 15 | San Diego | 45 | 3% | $93,325 |
| 16 | Chicago | 67 | 2% | $84,539 |
| 17 | New York | 57 | 1% | $103,452 |
| 18 | Los Angeles | 51 | 1% | $94,497 |
Leader job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of leader experts
Weber State University
University Of Puget Sound
Bethel University
Michael Ault Ph.D.
Director of Master of Professional Communication, Associate Professor of CommunicationWeber State University
Communication And Media Studies
What general advice would you give to a Leader?
Michael Ault Ph.D.: Asking what a communication specialist does is kind of like asking what a Mom does. We can do a little bit of everything. Communication specialists are often hired as managers and supervisors, social media managers, public relations staff and leaders, family councilors, educators, journalists, and just about any other industry you can think of.
Andreas Udbye Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity Of Puget Sound
School of Business and Leadership
What soft skills should all Leaders possess?
Andreas Udbye Ph.D.: Collaboration and teamwork skills are crucial, as well as the ability to focus and meet deadlines. Although it is nice to mention that you are a good multi-tasker, most people are these days, and employers seem to like people who can stay the course and complete tasks on time and with high quality. Tenacity and accuracy are other attractive attributes.
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.
Associate Provost - Innovation and Partnerships, Program Director/Professor, Ed.D. Leadership in Higher EducationBethel University
Education Leadership
What skills stand out on Leader resumes?
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.: The skills that "stand out" on an educational leader's resume are those that synergize into a coherent story. So not necessarily the skills that are self-identified and listed under a "skills" heading, but those that are evidenced through outcomes achieved appointments/promotions, or other demonstrated successes. For example, in an educational institution, being elected to a chair or moderator position within a senate structure might indicate characteristics of diplomacy, advocacy, collaboration, and wisdom. The resume reader can imagine how those attributes might translate to a new employment space, with much more confidence than if those same characteristics were merely listed as skills. So first, on a resume, prioritize representing your skills through a story, experience, and evidence (rather than self-described adjectives) in a way that reflects your unique narrative.
Now, regarding the specific skills. Some of the skills desired in an educational leader change, based on the institutional context, the previous leader, unique internal or external challenges, etc. However, I would suggest two interminable and foundational skills that will always stand out on a resume and differentiate the applicant: working hard and working with others. Employers want to hire a hard worker, determined, responsible, trustworthy, and strong work ethic. And employers want to hire someone who others want to work with, someone who is collaborative, thoughtful, or in Ingnation or Jesuit language, someone who is for and with others.
Those two skills form a foundation for professional success.
What soft skills should all Leaders possess?
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.: With the rapid rate of change, accelerating information turnover, and boundless access to knowledge, certain new soft skills may now be prioritized in our current society. So we all have to be learners, seeking new information, anticipating that we will need to change our mind, and striving for a disposition of curiosity. The specific skill of asking good questions cannot be underestimated.
Employers may be seeking skills like imaginative bridging, humbly and curiously connecting dots. Or the skills of facilitation and curation, with so many different perspectives and lived experiences, and an overabundance of information, an educational leader, must manage people, perspectives, and content like never before.
Employers are looking for skills that relate to not only the day-to-day tactical aspects of educational leadership but also imaginative problem-solving for a thriving future.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Leaders?
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.: Many hard/technical skills are incredibly context-specific, so importance varies by role and/or industry. But for educational leaders, generally applicable skills might be related to teaching and learning constructs, finance and budgeting, and basic legal issues awareness. Perhaps familiarity with specific content management systems or learning management systems, but again, this use varies by institution.
What skills will help Leaders earn the most?
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.: For educational leaders, I'm not convinced discrete skills equate to salary. Working hard and working well with others, with a disposition of humility and curiosity, is really powerful. Perhaps the combination of soft and hard skills gained through diverse experiences, positions, and institutional contexts results in the highest earning potential.