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.

476,200
new jobs in finance and business and finance expected from 2019-2029*

57%
higher average salary for business and finance positions than for all other occupations*
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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 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.

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.

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.

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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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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- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Burning Glass Technologies