The median annual wage for chief executives was $175,110 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $68,600, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $187,200.
The median annual wage for general and operations managers was $97,730 in May 2015.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $44,190, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $187,200.
Because the responsibilities of general and operations managers vary significantly among industries, earnings also tend to vary considerably.
Top executives are among the highest paid workers in the United States. However, salary levels can vary substantially. For example, a top manager in a large corporation can earn significantly more than the mayor of a small town.
In addition to salaries, total compensation for corporate executives often includes stock options and other performance bonuses. They also may enjoy benefits, such as access to expense allowances, use of company-owned aircraft and cars, club memberships, and company-paid insurance premiums. Nonprofit and government executives usually receive fewer of these types of benefits.
Top executives often work many hours, including evenings and weekends. In 2014, about half worked more than 40 hours per week.
Top Executives
Median annual wages, May 2015
Chief executives
$175,110
Top executives
$102,690
Management occupations
$98,560
General and operations managers
$97,730
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics