13 Best High Paying Business Careers

| by |
13 Best High Paying Business Careers

The world of business is always teeming with life and endless opportunities. A degree in this field will open new doors and prepare graduates for a variety of business and non-business related careers. 

Whether you want to work in finance, management, law, technology, or healthcare, there will always be something for you.

Furthermore, with a low unemployment rate and an ever-growing demand for these skill sets and business acumen, graduates can expect to find plenty of work opportunities after graduation.

Related: Want to know what the highest-paid healthcare, science, or technology occupations are? Check out this article to learn more.

Related: Need help choosing a major and the right universities? Check out this article to learn more.

In this article, we will list high paying business and corporate positions that were highly ranked by US News & World Report, Business Insider, and Indeed. We will also provide our top picks based on: 

  • Median annual salary (~$80,000+)
  • Projected 10-year job growth (>6%)
  • Number of job opportunities (~100,000+)

Data regarding salary, educational requirements, typical majors, projected job growth, and unemployment rates will be provided to give a comprehensive picture of the economic landscape and equip readers with the knowledge to make informed career decisions.

Note: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a projected growth rate between 4-6% over a 10-year period is considered average.

It is important to note that most of these positions will require at least a bachelor’s degree while managerial and supervisory positions will, in most cases, require an advanced degree (i.e., MBA, MAcc, JD).

Note: Programs designated as pre-law do not have any requirements as to which undergraduate degrees are compulsory. However, a relevant major will best prepare you for the field.

We will explore the following topics:

  • Accounting, Auditing, Taxes
  • Advertising, Marketing
  • Advising, Analyst, Consulting
  • Banking
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Financial Markets and Institutions
  • Hedge Funds
  • Human Resources
  • Investments
  • Law
  • Logistics, Operations
  • Management
  • Mergers and Acquisitions, Restructuring
  • Public Relations
  • Sales
  1. Accountant
Embed from Getty Images

Education Requirement: Bachelors, Master’s

Median annual salary: $71,550

Number of jobs: 1,424,000

Projected job growth: 6% (average)

Unemployment rate: 1.8%

  1. Bank Examiner
Embed from Getty Images

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s

Median annual salary: $81,090

Number of jobs: 60,900

Projected job growth: 7% (above average)

Unemployment rate: N/A

  1. Compliance Officer
Embed from Getty Images

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s, Master’s

Median annual salary: $72,850

Number of jobs: 317,600

Projected job growth: 5.8% (average)

Unemployment rate: 2.3%

  1. Financial Advisor
Embed from Getty Images

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s

Median annual salary: $87,850

Number of jobs: 271,700

Projected job growth: 7% (above average)

Unemployment rate: 0.9%

  1. Financial Manager
Embed from Getty Images

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s, Master’s

Median annual salary: $129,890

Number of jobs: 653,600

Projected job growth: 16% (above average)

Unemployment rate: 1.4%

  1. Human Resources Manager
Embed from Getty Images

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s, Master’s

Median annual salary: $116,720

Number of jobs: 152,100

Projected job growth: 7% (above average)

Unemployment rate: 4.5%

  1. I/O Psychologist
Embed from Getty Images

Education Requirement: Master’s, Doctorate

Median annual salary: $97,260

Number of jobs: 181,700

Projected job growth: 14% (above average)

Unemployment rate: 0.5%

  1. IT Manager
Embed from Getty Images

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s, Master’s

Median annual salary: $146,360

Number of jobs: 414,400

Projected job growth: 11% (above average)

Unemployment rate: 2%

  1. Management Analyst
Embed from Getty Images

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s, Master’s

Median annual salary: $85,260

Number of jobs: 876,300

Projected job growth: 14% (above average)

Unemployment rate: 3%

  1. Market Research Analyst
Embed from Getty Images

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s

Median annual salary: $63,790

Number of jobs: 681,900

Projected job growth: 20% (above average)

Unemployment rate: 2.7%

  1. Marketing Manager
Embed from Getty Images

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s, Master’s

Median annual salary: $135,900

Number of jobs: 286,800

Projected job growth: 8% (above average)

Unemployment rate: 2.6%

  1. Operations Manager
Embed from Getty Images

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s, Master’s

Median annual salary: $123,030

Number of jobs: 165,000

Projected job growth: 6.9% (above average)

Unemployment rate: 1.8%

  1. Operations Research Analyst
Embed from Getty Images

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s, Master’s

Median annual salary: $84,810

Number of jobs: 109,700

Projected job growth: 26% (above average)

Unemployment rate: 2.1%

PositionEducation RequirementCommon Majors/ ProgramsMedian Annual SalaryNumber of JobsProjected Job GrowthUnemployment Rate
AccountantBA/BS, MAccAccounting$71,5501,424,0006%1.8%
ActuaryBA/BSActuarial science, Statistics$108,35025,00020%2.3%
Bank ExaminerBA/BSAccounting,  Economics, Finance, Marketing$81,09060,9007%N/A
Compensation and Benefits ManagerBA/BSBusiness admin, Finance, HR$122,27016,4003%N/A
Compliance OfficerBA/BS, MA/MSAccounting, Economics, Finance, Mgmt, Statistics$72,850317,6005.8%2.3%
Corporate AttorneyJDPre-law$147,000823,9006%15.5%
C-SuiteHS diploma, BA/BS, MBABusiness admin$104,6902,639,5006%N/A
EconomistMA/MS, PhDEconomics$105,02021,0008%N/A
Financial AdvisorBA/BSAccounting, Business, Finance$87,850271,7007%0.9%
Financial AnalystBA/BS, MBAFinance, Marketing$85,660329,5006%0.8%
Financial ControllerBA/BS, MAcc/MBAAccounting, Finance$99,931N/A2.65%N/A
Financial ManagerBA/BS, MBAAccounting, Economics, Finance$129,890653,60016%1.4%
Hedge Fund ManagerBA/BS, MBAAccounting, Economics, Finance$275,000N/A6%N/A
Human Resources ManagerBA/BS, MBABusiness mgmt, Finance, HR, IT$116,720152,1007%4.5%
Human Resources SpecialistBA/BS, MSHR$61,920625,7005%2.1%
I/O PsychologistMA/MS, PhDI/O psychology$97,260181,70014%0.5%
Investment BankerBA/BS, MBABusiness admin, Finance$96,000N/A6%2.2%
IT ManagerBA/BS, MBACS, IT, MIS$146,360414,40011%2%
IT SpecialistAA/AS, BA/BSCS, Information science$54,760863,10010%3.1%
Loan OfficerHS diploma, BA/BSBusiness, Economics, Finance$63,270316,2008%3.2%
LogisticianAA/AS, BA/BSBusiness mgmt, Logistics$74,750174,9005%1.5%
Management AnalystBA/BS, MBAAccounting, Finance$85,260876,30014%3%
Market Research AnalystBA/BSCS, Economics, Statistics$63,790681,90020%2.7%
Marketing ManagerBA/BS, MA/MSMarketing$135,900286,8008%2.6%
Operations ManagerBA/BS, MBABusiness, Finance, Statistics$123,030165,0006.9%1.8%
Operations Research AnalystBA/BS, MA/MSCS, Engineering, Operations science$84,810109,70026%2.1%
Product ManagerBA/BS, MBACommunications, CS, Economics, Software engineering, UX/UI$105,480186,5001%N/A
Public Relations ManagerBA/BS, MA/MSCommunications, Public relations$116,18081,2008%1%
Public Relations SpecialistBA/BSCommunications, Public relations$61,150270,0006%1%
Sales ManagerHS diploma, BA/BS, MBAAccounting, Finance, Marketing$126,640405,7005%2.6%
Tax AttorneyJDPre-law$135,585823,9006%15.5%

Share this post

Recommended for You