Bachelor of Science in Applied Management
CEO Career Guide
CEO Career Guide
Overview
What Is a CEO?
A CEO, or chief executive officer, is the highest-ranking executive in an organization. CEOs set company strategy, oversee senior leadership, manage major business decisions and are often accountable to a board of directors.
Becoming a CEO usually requires a bachelor’s degree, extensive leadership experience and, in many cases, a graduate degree such as an MBA.(See disclaimer 1) According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, top executives are projected to see steady employment growth from 2024 to 2034.(See disclaimer 2)
CEO Career Snapshot and Key Information
Chief executive officers are the top-ranking leaders in their organizations, tasked with establishing the company’s strategic vision and ensuring it reaches its goals for financial performance. This role is not an entry-level one; top executives generally need both advanced academic credentials and extensive work experience. According to the BLS, many chief executive officers earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and have spent years working up the corporate ladder.(See disclaimer 1)
Career Topic
Career Path
What To Know
Becoming a chief executive officer generally involves a long-term progression from entry-level roles into senior management. Executives need both academic credentials and extensive experience.(See disclaimer 1)
Career Topic
Education Requirements
What To Know
Executives typically need a bachelor's degree in business administration, liberal arts or a field relevant to their industry, such as engineering. While not always mandatory, many CEOs hold a master's degree, often an MBA.(See disclaimer 1)
Career Topic
Responsibilities
What To Know
These top executives are responsible for setting strategic direction and driving financial performance. They make high-level decisions, establish company culture, manage senior leadership and represent the organization to stakeholders.
Career Topic
Required Skills
What To Know
Chief executive officers require a diverse skill set that includes effective communication, leadership, decision-making, problem-solving and time management. They may also need expertise and skills specific to their industry.(See disclaimer 1)
Career Topic
Types of Roles
What To Know
Chief executive officer roles vary by company size and industry. At private enterprises, executives typically set policies and develop the overall direction. Some chief executives are public leaders and administrators, and they may hold job titles such as mayor or governor.(See disclaimer 1)
Career Topic
What To Know
Career Path
Becoming a chief executive officer generally involves a long-term progression from entry-level roles into senior management. Executives need both academic credentials and extensive experience.(See disclaimer 1)
Education Requirements
Executives typically need a bachelor's degree in business administration, liberal arts or a field relevant to their industry, such as engineering. While not always mandatory, many CEOs hold a master's degree, often an MBA.(See disclaimer 1)
Responsibilities
These top executives are responsible for setting strategic direction and driving financial performance. They make high-level decisions, establish company culture, manage senior leadership and represent the organization to stakeholders.
Required Skills
Chief executive officers require a diverse skill set that includes effective communication, leadership, decision-making, problem-solving and time management. They may also need expertise and skills specific to their industry.(See disclaimer 1)
Types of Roles
Chief executive officer roles vary by company size and industry. At private enterprises, executives typically set policies and develop the overall direction. Some chief executives are public leaders and administrators, and they may hold job titles such as mayor or governor.(See disclaimer 1)
Role
What Does a CEO Do?
The specific responsibilities of a chief executive officer can vary by organization. At larger companies, the top executive typically focuses on high-level strategic decision-making. At smaller organizations, these professionals may take a more hands-on role in daily operations.
What is a CEO’s daily schedule like? Top responsibilities may include:
Strategizing
Top executives establish and implement high-level corporate strategies, including organizational policies.
Team-Building
These professionals may appoint heads of department and other managers, and inspire their teams to achieve goals.
Overseeing
Chief executive officers oversee organizational operations, with an eye on financial performance and operational efficiency.
Outlook
What Is the Career Outlook for a CEO?
Chief executive officers, also known as top executives, are showing signs of steady growth for the foreseeable future. According to the BLS, the job growth rate for chief executive officers is expected to be 4% from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all professions. At this rate of growth, it’s expected that there will be about 331,000 job openings for top executives, each year, from 2024 to 2034.(See disclaimer 2) The median annual wage for chief executive officers was $206,420 as of May 2024.(See disclaimer 3)
Workplace
Where Do CEOs Work?
Chief executive officers work in nearly any industry and type of organization, according to the BLS. These executives may work in large enterprises or at small organizations. This is an office job, and frequent travel is typically required.(See disclaimer 4)
Some of the work settings for top executives, according to the BLS and Jamesbeck, include:(See disclaimer 4,5)
Government Agencies
At these organizations, executives manage public sector operations, providing oversight and accountability.
Healthcare Organizations
CEOs of healthcare organizations must continually improve patient safety and outcomes, as well as operational efficiency.
Finance
Chief executives may lead many different types of finance companies.
Self-Employed
Many top executives are also the sole proprietors of their own businesses.
Career Path
How To Become a CEO
There is no universal pathway to become a chief executive officer, as specific requirements and preferences vary by organization. In general, aspiring executives can expect to earn a bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree, and obtain years of work experience. Some executives are promoted to the C-suite from within their own organization, while others apply to the chief executive position as outside candidates.(See disclaimer 1)
Learning how to become a CEO starts with these steps:(See disclaimer 1)
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree is typically the minimum education requirement for top executives.
Gain Progressive Leadership Experience
Aspiring CEOs typically advance through management and senior leadership roles, gaining business career experience leading teams, managing budgets, shaping strategy and making high-level decisions.
Obtain Additional Credentials
Chief executives may obtain a master’s degree, such as an MBA, and they may undergo executive training programs.
Education
What Education Do You Need to Be a CEO?
A chief executive officer is typically required to have at least a bachelor’s degree, with many organizations expecting a master’s degree in business administration or public administration, or an industry-specific master’s degree.(See disclaimer 1)
22%
Percentage of top CEOs who have an MBA, globally(See disclaimer 6)
Degrees for Aspiring CEOs
33 Matching Degrees
Bachelor of Science in Applied Entrepreneurship
Bachelor of Science in Applied Business Analytics
Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Bachelor of Science in Business Management
Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Studies
Bachelor of Science in Sports and Entertainment Management
Master of Business Administration
Skills
What CEO Skills Are Most Important?
Chief executive officers need a blend of industry-specific knowledge and transferable soft skills, including leadership and effective communication.(See disclaimer 1) Aspiring executives can practice refining these skills while gaining work experience.
The most important skills for a chief executive officer include:(See disclaimer 1)
Communication Skills
Chief executives must discuss information clearly, issue directives and negotiate.
Leadership
Top executives are leaders who must establish a positive work culture and inspire others.
Time Management
There are many demands on a chief executive’s time, and prioritization and time optimization are essential.
Decision-Making Skills
Executives must make high-level decisions that consider the needs, goals and effects on all stakeholders.
Career Fit
Is a CEO Career Right for Me?
You may be a good fit for this path if you:
You may want to explore another business career if you prefer specialized work, lower-stakes decisions, a shorter career path or less responsibility for people, budgets and organizational outcomes. Related options may include business manager, management analyst, financial analyst, operations manager or entrepreneur.
Explore All Business Degrees
CEO Resources and Career Insights
Learn more about job opportunities in the business world and the career pathway of a top executive.
What Can You Do With a Business Management Degree?
Discover the opportunities you may pursue after earning a business management degree.
How To Become a Business Manager
Learn what business managers do and how you can pursue this career.
Comparing Business Administration vs. Business Management
Explore the differences between business management and administration, including differences in coursework and skills.
Take the Next Step Toward Business Leadership
Develop business, leadership and strategic decision-making skills at GCU.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). How to Become a Top Executive. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved June 2026.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Top Executives, retrieved June 2026.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Top Executives as of May 2024, retrieved June 2026. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Top Executives, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Top Executives: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved June 2026.
- Jamesbeck. (2021, Dec. 7). What Type of People Become CEOs? Retrieved June 2026.
- Kefford, M. (2026, May 12). Why Over 20% of the World’s CEOs Have MBAs. GMAC. Retrieved June 2026.