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Business careers and salary

The business world provides a blank canvas for individuals wanting to pursue their own interests. Want to help a small company grow? Excited by the prospect of leading a major corporation? Passionate about launching a new endeavor as an entrepreneur? A business career is what you make of it.

Growth of numbers on finance chart.
476,200

new jobs in finance and business and finance expected from 2019-2029*

Envelope with money indicating higher salary.
57%

higher average salary for business and finance positions than for all other occupations*

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

  • Business industry overview
  • Business careers & salary
  • Business programs


Why work in business?

Business is one of the of the most versatile career trajectories out there. Nearly every industry requires skilled professionals with business expertise, and the wide range of specializations that fall under the business umbrella allow you to customize a professional path that aligns with your interests. 

Some of the biggest benefits of business careers include:

Increased earnings from graduate program.

INCREASED EARNING POTENTIAL

The median salary for business and finance occupations is $69,820, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). By comparison, the average salary for all occupations is $53,490. 

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WIDE RANGE OF WORK ENVIRONMENTS

Business careers allow you to work just about anywhere. Whether your goal is to be employed by a large corporation, start your own business, or work in the public sector or for a nonprofit, a business education can help get you there. 

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAREER SPECIALIZATION

Just as business professionals can be found in a wide range of work settings, they can also take on an array of roles. By focusing your studies on a specific area of expertise, you can specialize in a field such as sales, accounting, marketing, or finance. 

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INDUSTRY GROWTH

Factors such as globalization, changing organizational structures, and the increased availability of data are likely to increase the demand for skilled business professionals who are up to speed on the latest technologies and newest industry developments.  

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Job types and salaries

Business careers encompass a wide range of roles and responsibilities. Likewise, salaries can vary widely depending on the industry you work in and your experience level. Below is a sample of the types of business jobs you can pursue, along with their median salaries, based on BLS data: 

Entry-level business jobs

Typical requirements: associate or bachelor’s degree

Human resource specialist

HR specialists recruit, interview, and place talent for various types of organizations. They may also provide training, handle employee relations tasks, administer benefits, and process payroll. HR specialists serve an important function in the business world by helping to ensure their organizations are adequately staffed and that they comply with all federal, state, and local employment regulations. 

Median salary

$61,920

Fundraiser 

Fundraisers plan events and campaigns to raise money and other types of donations for an organization while making sure to adhere to legal reporting requirements. They also may design promotional materials and interact with the public to raise awareness of their organization’s work, goals, and financial needs. Fundraisers are employed across many areas, but educational institutions, health care foundations, political campaigns, and social service groups are some of the most common.

Median salary

$57,970 

Market research analyst

These specialized marketing professionals study market conditions and related data to determine potential sales of goods and services. Their research helps businesses companies understand what products consumers want, who will buy them, and at what price. Market research analysts use statistical techniques and software to generate visual aids such as infographics, charts, graphs, infographics to communicate their findings and projections.

Median salary

$63,790

Securities and commodities agent

The primary role of securities and commodities agents is to connect buyers and sellers in financial markets. They sell stocks and bonds to individuals, advise companies on how to attract investors, and conduct trade on behalf of financial firms. They’re often contracted by companies that are looking for customized recommendations on public offerings, mergers, or acquisitions.

Median salary

$62,270 

Logistician

Logisticians play a pivotal role in commerce by coordinating their company's supply chain activities. They help ensure that manufactured products are safely transported and reach their intended destination on time and within budget. Logisticians handle a multitude of tasks within the supply chain, such as procurement, warehousing, shipping, and inventory.

Median salary

$74,750

Personal financial advisor

Personal financial advisors provide guidance and support to individuals in making investments, managing their portfolios, and planning for educational expenses and retirement. They're responsible for monitoring their clients’ investments throughout the year and scheduling one-on-one time to provide investment updates and recommend adjustments to their financial plan.

Median salary

$87,850 

Advanced business jobs

Typical requirements: bachelor’s or master’s degree

Marketing manager

Marketing managers work with art directors, sales executives, and product developers to create engaging campaigns that reach targeted groups of consumers in order to increase sales of a product or service. In the context of global commerce, they are responsible for analyzing markets, researching competitors, and identifying sales opportunities.

Median salary

$135,900

General/operations manager

Those in this role manage the operations of public and private sector organizations. Their duties and responsibilities include setting work schedules, creating policies, overseeing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources. General and operations managers may also monitor suppliers to ensure they provide needed goods and services within budgetary limits.

Median salary

$100,780

Financial manager

These types of managers advise organizational leadership on specific financial opportunities, issues, and trends in the areas where they conduct business. They are also relied upon to direct investment activities, create financial reports, and develop long-term plans for maximizing company profits. They typically supervise a team of employees who handle daily financial reporting and budgeting tasks.

Median salary

$129,890

Human resources manager

These individuals supervise recruitment and hiring efforts, help establish organizational objectives, and act as a liaison between staff and executive leadership. HR managers also oversee labor and tax law compliance, workplace diversity initiatives, and training and professional development programs. 

Median salary

$116,720

Executive director

This type of high-level leadership role is usually reserved for those with substantial managerial experience. Directors develop business policies and provide overall direction of public and private organizations. This involves overseeing department heads or managers and delegating specific responsibilities to them. 

Median salary

$184,460 

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Sources

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  2. Burning Glass Technologies

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    • Job types and salaries

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