3.

Chief Executives
Chief executive officers (CEOs) provide the direction for the company,
setting goals, creating policies, and generally steering the corporate ship.
CEOs often report to boards of directors and manage other leaders such as
chief operating officers (COOs) and chief financial officers (CFOs).

Fortune-500 CEOs make a mint; in 2018, the Associated Press reported that
the average CEO compensation at top companies exceeded $11 million per
year.5

However, even CEOs of smaller companies tend to do quite well.

If you have your sights set on a chief executive role, be prepared to get your
MBA and plenty of work experience. 

Salary: The BLS reports that chief executives earn a median annual salary
of $184,460, while top executives as a whole earn $104,690 per year.6  2

Job Outlook 2019-2029: Per the BLS, employment of top executives is

expected to increase 4% over the next decade.

6. Computer and Information Systems Managers

Often called IT managers, these professionals are responsible for an
organization’s information technology. Different types of IT managers have
different responsibilities, which may include assessing the organization’s
computer needs, making recommendations for fixes and upgrades, hiring
and managing other IT professionals, and ensuring systems’ security.

Salary: The BLS reports that computer and information systems managers

earn a median annual salary of $146,360.9

Job Outlook 2019-2029: Per the BLS, employment of computer and

information systems managers is expected to increase 10% over the next
decade.

7. Architectural and Engineering Managers

Working at architectural and engineering firms, these managers hire, train,
and supervise teams of engineers. They also coordinate the efforts of project
teams to develop and execute plans for product development and re-
engineer processes and methods of production. Architectural and
engineering managers create and control budgets and conduct ongoing
value analysis to identify new opportunities for efficiencies and cost savings.

Salary: The BLS reports that architectural and engineering managers earn a

median annual salary of $144,830.1 0

Job Outlook 2019-2029: Per the BLS, employment of architectural and

engineering managers is expected to increase 3% over the next decade.

16. Computer and Information Research Scientists

Computer and information research scientists create new computing
technology and improve existing tools to solve complex problems in fields
like medicine and business. Typically, computer and information research
scientists have a master’s degree in computer science and a bachelor’s
degree in a related area of study.

Salary: According to the BLS, computer and information research scientists

earn a median annual salary of $122,840.1 9

Job Outlook 2019-2029: Per the BLS, employment of these research

scientists is expected to increase 15% over the next decade.

20. Computer Network Architects

Also called network engineers, these IT professionals design and build
computer networks. Depending on their job, engineers also manage
networks and analyze traffic data to plan for future growth. Typically,
computer network architects have a bachelor’s degree in a tech-related field
and significant work experience in systems administration.

Salary: According to the BLS, computer network architects earn a median

annual salary of $112,690.2 3

Job Outlook 2019-2029: Per the BLS, employment of computer network

architects is expected to increase 5% over the next decade.