Chief Executives vs. General and Operations Managers: Who Earns More?
Chief Executives out-earn General and Operations Managers by $108K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Chief Executives land at $213,990 and General and Operations Managers at $105,770. The education gap is real: chief executif programs typically require bachelor's degree, while general and operations manager programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Chief Executives is Oregon ($341,630); for General and Operations Managers it's New Jersey ($173,690).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Chief Executives median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Chief Executives or General and Operations Managers?
Chief Executives earn more nationally. The median is $213,990 for Chief Executives versus $105,770 for General and Operations Managers, a difference of $108K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Chief Executives or General and Operations Managers?
General and Operations Managers has the better 10-year outlook at 4.4% projected growth, compared to 4.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Chief Executives or General and Operations Managers?
Chief Executives typically requires bachelor's degree. General and Operations Managers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Chief Executives get paid the most?
Oregon is the top-paying state for Chief Executives at $341,630/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Chief Executives vs. General and Operations Managers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Chief Executives earn $339,810 vs. $133,750 for General and Operations Managers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.