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Boston Career Explorer

Management

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

Also called: CEO (Chief Executive Officer), Chief Diversity Officer (CDO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Technical Officer (CTO)

Median pay in Greater Boston
Not published
Jobs in Greater Boston
5,210
Massachusetts 2024–2034
Not published
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more of related work experience

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
Not publishedNot publishedNot publishedNot publishedNot published

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
  • Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.
  • Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.
  • Direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, or to increase productivity.
  • Prepare or present reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, government statutes or rulings, or other items affecting businesses or program services.
  • Implement corrective action plans to solve organizational or departmental problems.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Higher exposure79 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 90
  • Language-model AIOE 87
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 60

Observed AI use today: Some (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for chief executives is in the higher range, and observed AI use is currently at some level. AI tools can help with the report writing, budget preparation, and financial review in this job. Setting direction, working with the board, and solving problems with people are not tasks AI tools handle on their own.

Likely to change

  • Drafting and summarizing reports
  • Preparing and reviewing budgets

Still relies on people

  • Setting direction and making final decisions
  • Building trust with boards and staff

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • General and Operations Managers

    Budget review, performance tracking, and directing operations carry over directly. This role has lower AI exposure and a Boston median pay of $133,800.

    Pay difference
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    AI exposure
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    MA growth
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  • Industrial Production Managers

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    Overseeing safe, well-run facilities uses your coordination and management skills. It has lower AI exposure and pays a Boston median of $127,400.

    Pay difference
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    MA growth
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    To get started
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Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

108 programs near Boston (plus 69 graduate)

Related occupations

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