The Best Jobs for Bachelors in Business | A Career Guide

Diverse job opportunities, high salaries, and an impressive job outlook explain why a bachelor’s degree in business is one of the most popular degrees for students. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows that business is the most sought-after degree, followed by healthcare-related degrees. The unique nature of the business field involves a wide variety of majors. It can be difficult for new students to settle on one study area. One good factor to consider is which online bachelor’s degree in business leads to the best jobs.

Many students who enroll in business degrees hope to become CEOs of successful corporations in charge of the whole operation. However, to achieve these heights, one must plan and choose a lucrative niche. Read on to find out the business degrees with the highest-paying jobs.

Article Navigation: Why Get A Bachelor’s Degree In Business? | Highest-Paying Bachelor’s Degrees in Business | Business Degree Salary | Different Types of Business Degrees | Highest-Paying Business Degree Jobs | Merits of Earning An MBA | Which Business Degree is Best for Me?

Why Get A Bachelor’s Degree In Business?

People studying for a bachelor’s degree in business learn business principles before entering the professional sector. Armed with such knowledge, they can work in various settings in business, government, and non-profit organizations.

Business majors are some of the most employable and flexible job candidates. From agriculture to fashion to tech, a background in business prepares students to work in any sector that aligns with their strengths and interests. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that professionals in business-related occupations earned higher than the national average.

Highest-Paying Bachelor’s Degrees in Business

Around 70% of graduates from high school enroll in colleges and universities. They pursue an education to help them land promising jobs. A business degree is practical, and business majors enjoy a vast range of entry-level positions to choose from. Below we list some of the highest-paying degrees in business:

International Business

International business is an expansive topic that covers world cultures, practical business skills, and international politics. Students can expect to take coursework in foreign languages, Geography, Political Economy, International Trade Agreements, Multinational Organizations, Treaties, and Global Marketing.

The degree also covers other areas, including Management, Finance, Economics, Marketing, and Accounting.

Professionals with a degree in international business can work in the US or overseas for multinational organizations or global corporations. Many professionals in international business start in domestic companies to gather the needed experience. After that, they can work their way to roles such as operations manager, marketing assistant, and marketing director. The average salary for international business graduates with a bachelor’s degree is $89,000 per year.

Investments and Securities

A four-year degree in Investments and Securities covers topics such as Hedge Funds, Investment Planning, Financial Policy, and Financial Reporting. This degree opens up a pathway for a fast-paced career in the financial market. Students with a degree in Investment and Securities can work as strategy investment managers, investment consultants, and financial service sales agents. Professionals can advance their careers after earning a certification such as the Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Financial Planner (CFP). The average salary for investment and securities graduates is $61,439 annually.

Marketing

Earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing gives students the platform to build analytical skills in consumer behavior, product merchandising, and effective campaign organization. Students also develop the skills to collect and analyze consumer data to make decisions regarding current and future products.

Marketing students typically carry out coursework involving Theoretical And Practical Marketing Perspectives and Elaborate Sales Analysis. In most programs, students develop mock marketing projects. They also learn other topics such as Global Marketing, Market Research Strategy, and Promotion Design.

Marketing degree graduates often land jobs such as director of marketing, communications specialist, digital marketer, and marketing manager. Professionals in this field make an annual average salary of $65,000.

Logistics

Those who complete a degree in Logistics Management come away with the knowledge and skills needed for a career based on the transportation and distribution of products. Logistics programs typically include courses such as Statistics, Logistics Management, Logistics Systems, Transportation Management, Accounting Principles, and Micro and Macroeconomics. Logistics graduates commonly work as field directors, managers, and logistics planners. These professionals earn an average annual salary of $67,000.

Accounting

An accounting degree is one of the most versatile bachelor’s degrees in business. Accountants work for businesses, individuals, government agencies, and non-profits.

Professionals with degrees in accounting can interpret financial information, audit information, maintain records, and investigate budgets. Using spreadsheets and databases is the foundation of all work in accounting. Some typical roles for accounting graduates include tax examiners, public accountants, government accountants, and internal accountants.

Professionals in this field earn an average salary of $73,000.

Finance

A bachelor’s degree in finance prepares students for various careers such as financial agents, stockbrokers, insurance agents, and financial analysts/advisors. This degree leads students to new paths in financial management.

Graduates of finance have the skills and knowledge to educate others on business and personal finance management. The coursework for this degree program typically includes Analysis of Financial Accounting, Foundations of Corporate Finance, Portfolio Management, Concepts in Strategic Management, and Analysis of Fixed Income/Derivative Securities.

Possible job titles include chief finance officer (CFO), financial analyst, budget manager, and finance manager. Wages in the financial sector vary from one job title to another. Overall, the average annual salary for finance graduates is $74,000.

Human Resource Management

Professionals with a degree in Human Resource (HR) Management learn about strategies for maintaining a conducive working environment. They also gain the skills needed to build solid relationships between employers and employees. Programs emphasize critical thinking and analytical research skills. Students also learn the primary organization and communication skills required to function in the HR role.

Some topics in the degree program include Business Ethics, Benefits, and Compensation, Interviewing Tips, Leadership Skills, Communication Strategies, and Management Principles.

Human resource management professionals earn an average of $63,000 annually.

Industrial Production

People who enroll in industrial production programs work in the product manufacturing sector. Some of the duties of industrial production employees include designing and maintaining efficient operations, logistics management, and ensuring that the work environment meets safety regulations.

Some of the courses in this degree include Manufacturing Control, Supply Management and Procurement, and Logistics Management. Professionals with a degree in industrial production have job titles such as distribution manager, storage manager, transport manager, and industrial production manager.

According to Payscale, industrial production managers have an annual salary of $92,000.

E-Commerce

With the extensive power of the internet, people can combine software applications with economic principles to create business prospects. Professionals with a background in e-commerce can work for an e-commerce firm or own their personal e-commerce business.

Some of the topics studied in an e-commerce program include Project Management, Computer Algorithms, Computer Architecture, Operations Management, Marketing, and Systems Development. E-commerce graduates often land roles such as e-commerce consultant, advertising and promotions manager, web developers, and online store owner. Professionals in this sector can earn up to $75,000 yearly.

Entrepreneurship

Students who undertake an entrepreneurship degree program develop the necessary planning skills to turn ideas into reality. Their education includes the training to:

• Start and manage their business
• Manage other people’s businesses
• Purchase other companies and make them profitable

They also learn how to minimize business risks. Some of the topics in many entrepreneurship programs include New Venture Creation, International Entrepreneurship, Statistics, Public Speaking, and Macroeconomics. These professionals earn an average of $63,000 yearly.

Project Management

People who are comfortable with managing supplies, costs, workflows, and other people will appreciate a career in project management. Learners in this degree program acquire the skills to plan and execute large and small projects. Some of the coursework involves Teamwork, Project Leadership, and Project Risk Management.

Professionals with a background in project management work as project managers, business analysts, or program managers. The industries where they work include healthcare, manufacturing, online services, education, and other sectors. Project managers earn a yearly average of $75,000.

Construction Management

Similar to project management is a degree in construction management. This degree concentrates on the management skills and business side of the construction industry.

Construction management graduates are versed in ethics, estimation, and construction contracts. The program includes Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards, Construction Documents, and Construction Estimation courses.

After graduation, these professionals start jobs in the construction field such as project manager, property manager, or construction manager. Payscale estimates that construction managers earn an average of $74,000 yearly.

Healthcare Management

Healthcare management is also similar to project management. Still, it focuses on managing the business side of healthcare facilities, public health agencies, hospitals, and physician group practices. Students learn about Medical Care Procedures, Healthcare Administrative Practices, and Government Regulations.

Other courses include Medical Terminology, Ethics in Healthcare, Financial Analysis, Community Health, Organizational Management, Biostatics, and Research Methods.
Graduates with a healthcare management degree can work as:

• Healthcare administrators or managers
• Consultants
• Hospital administrators
• Clinical administrator
• Hospital director
• Health insurance specialist
• Community support manager
• Clinic administrator

Healthcare managers earn an average of $59,000 yearly, according to Payscale.

Organizational Leadership

A business degree in organizational leadership helps individuals manage fast-changing workspaces and influence organizations and companies. With a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership, graduates have a solid grasp of the leadership strategies that make organizations successful.

Some of the more common courses in organizational leadership include Organizational Change, Group Dynamics/Facilitation, and Evidence-Based Decision-Making. Upon completing the program, graduates work in project management, employee training/development, corporate communications, human resource management, management analysis, and business consulting.

Payscale estimates that professionals with a background in organizational leadership earn around $68,000 yearly.

Economics

An economics degree helps students build relevant research and data evaluation skills combined with the study of the economy. With this degree, you can work in healthcare, business, government, or the law. Examples of roles for economics graduates include investment bankers, market analysts, economists, and credit analysts. The average salary for professionals working as economists is $75,000 annually.

Management Information Systems

A business degree in management information systems is one of the highest-paying degrees available. The degree focuses on computers, technology, and management. With this degree, students gain skills for technology and business roles. They learn business practices and theory to create solutions to organizational problems. Finally, management information systems majors must acquire the skills to manage financial databases. Management information systems graduates can earn as much as $82,000 annually.

Business Degree Salary

Business degree graduates earn a wide range of salaries, depending on where they work and the level of responsibility. From high-level executives making hundreds of thousands of dollars to low-level managers with $50,000 salaries, wages vary considerably. Factors that influence the pay in the business sector include education, industry, previous experience, and job location.

However, candidates can determine what salary they make by being intentional about their area of specialization. Business graduates can out-earn their peers with the right degree and extent of focus.

Another way to earn substantial paychecks is by seeking an additional experience where possible. Such experience places candidates ahead of other job-seekers and qualifies them for higher-paying roles. The Bureau of Labor Services (BLS) provides a lot of information about different business degrees.

Different Types of Business Degrees

There are three levels of business degrees offered by educational institutions:

• Associate’s degree
• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree

You can start with an associate’s degree and progress towards your bachelor’s degree. Often, students begin in a bachelor’s degree program. Once graduated, they start an entry-level position to enter the workforce and earn money and experience. They then pursue a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). As a matter of fact, most MBA degree programs require a certain number of years of experience. This ensures that applicants are well-drilled in the practical side of the business world. An MBA is great for professionals seeking to move to the next levels in their careers.

Many entry-level business jobs require an associate’s degree and relevant experience or a bachelor’s degree. On the other hand, management, executive, or senior-level positions require higher education and more experience.

Highest-Paying Business Degree Jobs

The following jobs are the highest paying for business graduates:

Budget Director

Salary: The average salary for budget directors is $100,336.

A budget director supervises the implementation of a budget within their organization. They also balance and strive for a surplus situation for the budget. The minimum requirement for this role is a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field. Often, candidates will need several years of relevant experience for higher-level positions. Applicants also need to be proficient with Microsoft Office programs such as PowerPoint, Access, and Excel.

Finance Director

Salary: The average salary for finance directors is $114,521.

Finance directors are typically in charge of a finance team that designs strategic plans for a company’s financial growth. Some of their duties include financial projections, accounting duties, and financial analysis.

Although some employers will hire candidates with a bachelor’s degree, future finance directors should aim for a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). Experience is also vital to this role.

Bank Examiner

Salary: The average salary for bank examiners is $90,745 yearly.

A bank examiner is a financial auditor. They also double as a regulator for how banks and other financial institutions function in the financial market. They ensure that banks are in line with all legal and ethical guidelines.

Employers have different requirements for bank examiner roles. Still, the minimum qualification is a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or a related field. Those with a master’s degree stand out to potential employers. Candidates may also need certifications such as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). Although some jobs have more requirements, employers require at least three years of experience in a regulatory-related role in many cases.

Regional Controller

Salary: The average annual salary for regional controllers is $100,919.

A regional controller manages an organization’s finances and financial reports in a specific geographical area. They analyze the organization’s financial records and monitor stock market information, investors, and past and present sales. They also keep tabs on inventory, analyze the competition, research the sector, and create innovative marketing strategies.

The minimum requirement for regional controller roles is a bachelor’s in accounting or finance and some years of experience. Some employers prefer a master’s degree.

Stock Plan Administration Manager

Salary: The average salary for stock plan administration managers is $123,348.

This job designation focuses on helping their organization offer incentives, compensation, and bonuses to motivate employees. They design and maintain a reward system for the staff that reflects the company’s success.

Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting

Salary: Directors of accounting and financial reporting earn an average of $124,128.

These professionals supervise other financial professionals to work on all finance or account-related tasks for their organizations.

Chief Credit Officer

Salary: Chief credit officers earn an average of $136,124.

Chief credit officers, as high-level professionals, develop and execute an organization’s general credit scheme.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Salary: The average annual salary for a chief financial officer is $139,048.

The primary duty of a chief financial officer is to supervise financial operations in an organization. They also work with all financial and accounting departments to ensure efficiency and compliance with applicable regulations.

Internal Audit Director

Salary: Internal audit directors earn an annual average of $137,240.

An internal audit director works with employees and internal company resources to analyze and improve the financial functions of an organization. They conduct internal audits and implement quality assurance standards.

Chief Investment Officer (CIO)

Salary: The average annual wage for chief investment officers is $169,127.

The primary duty of a chief investment officer is to raise capital and handle investment negotiations for their organizations. They are also an essential part of most large corporations as they coordinate all the operations of the information technology unit.

Other high-paying jobs in the business field include:

• Chief accounting officer $—178,997
• Director, financial planning and analysis — $129,881
• Vice president (VP) finance — $139,777
• Tax director — $154,008
• Partner, accounting firm — $169,494

Merits of Earning An MBA

While a bachelor’s degree is enough for a business graduate to find entry-level jobs, seasoned professionals need an MBA for career advancement. First and foremost, an MBA proves that the individual is committed to improving, learning, and applying vital skills to a company’s success. Secondly, an MBA provides another layer of confidence in a candidate’s marketability, as they have more information and skills. Some other advantages of an MBA are listed below:

• Increased knowledge of global markets
• Improved communication skills
• Expanded professional network
• Increased job opportunities
• Higher salaries

Which Business Degree is Best for Me?

With a wide range of business interests and many top-paying jobs, it is up to an individual to decide on the best fit.

People who feel money is their primary goal opt for degrees such as accounting, business economics, and finance. Management, international business, healthcare, and human resource management are better options for others. This last set is best for those with strong sales and internet skills. These professionals will thrive in the information system management and e-commerce management sectors.

If you still are not decided on what online degree in business to pursue, we’ve got you covered. You can read in-depth about the individual degrees at our education resource center to see which suits you best.