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Owner vs executive director

The differences between owners 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 owner, 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 $90,334 average annual salary of an owner.

The top three skills for an owner include customer service, payroll and financial statements. The most important skills for an executive director are oversight, patients, and customer service.

Owner vs executive director overview

OwnerExecutive Director
Yearly salary$90,334$127,956
Hourly rate$43.43$61.52
Growth rate6%-8%
Number of jobs86,48697,471
Job satisfaction-4.5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age5249
Years of experience-4

What does an owner do?

Owners, in the most basic sense, own the business, company, or organization. They are responsible for building the business. They create business plans and the general vision and mission of the company, set goals, work on these goals, and ensure that the business keeps running. They manage all aspects of their business, from finances to marketing to people, etc. When the business becomes stable, owners eventually hire more employees. As such, owners also become overseers who would ensure that the organization remains afloat.

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.

Owner vs executive director salary

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

OwnerExecutive Director
Average salary$90,334$127,956
Salary rangeBetween $60,000 And $135,000Between $76,000 And $213,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew York
Best paying companyBP America IncGenentech
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between owner and executive director education

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

OwnerExecutive Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Owner vs executive director demographics

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

OwnerExecutive Director
Average age5249
Gender ratioMale, 63.1% Female, 36.9%Male, 47.0% Female, 53.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 7.5% White, 76.7% 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 Percentage12%10%

Differences between owner and executive director duties and responsibilities

Owner example responsibilities.

  • Manage web content and a PHP / MySQL application.
  • Create and develop a website to help clients easily manage their instagram account to gain exposure.
  • Execute all social media marketing and manage the company Facebook page/campaigns.
  • Manage human resource functions by generating payroll, scheduling and upholding company policies.
  • License Maryland home improvement contractor managing a small home improvement business that specializes in doors and windows.
  • Manage end to end business operations including hiring, scheduling visits, conducting customer consultations and performing pet visits.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Owner vs executive director skills

Common owner skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Payroll, 17%
  • Financial Statements, 8%
  • Product Development, 7%
  • Real Estate, 3%
  • Business Development, 3%
Common executive director skills
  • Oversight, 10%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Financial Management, 5%
  • Business Development, 4%
  • Home Health, 4%

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