20 High-Paying Business Careers

Business can be a lucrative career path, especially for business grads who pursue management careers. Some of the highest paying business jobs are found in fields like finance and career and information systems management, but above-average compensation can be found in a range of business areas, including marketing and human resources. Many of these jobs can be obtained with just a bachelor's degree.

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Computer and Information Systems Manager

Computer and information systems managers, also known as information technology (IT) managers, help to set IT goals for business organizations and work with various team members to plan and coordinate computer installation, maintenance and upgrades. They also help to keep computer systems secure.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree (minimum); master's degree (preferred)
Median annual salary: $139,220

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Marketing Manager

Marketing managers identify target markets and use the marketing mix (product, place, price, and promotion) to influence customers. They often rely on marketing data and work closely with advertising, sales and promotional departments to determine the best way to market products and services.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree
Median annual salary: $132,230

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Financial Manager

Financial managers help organizations determine how to reduce costs and invest money. They monitor a company's financial health, prepare financial forecasts and statements and oversee compliance with financial regulations.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree
Median annual salary: $125,080

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Sales Manager

Sales managers oversee a team or teams of sales representatives. They are responsible for assigning sales territories, training staff, tracking sales numbers and resolving customer conflicts.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree
Median annual salary: $121,060

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Compensation and Benefits Manager

Compensation and benefits managers establish compensation and benefits plans based on wage statistics and an organization's budget. They also help to develop pay structures and help employees understand benefits like insurance and retirement plans.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree
Median annual salary: $119,120

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Public Relations Manager

Public relations managers help to manage the public image of a company. They write press releases and provide information to the media and to clients about the company's products, services, goals and actionable efforts in the community.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree (minimum); master's degree (preferred)
Median annual salary: $111,280

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Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers recruit, hire, train and coordinate employees within an organization. They write job descriptions, conduct interviews, assess training needs, conduct performance reviews and handle staff issues, including harassment complaints and issues related to equal employment opportunities.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree (minimum); master's degree (preferred)
Median annual salary: $110,120

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Advertising Manager

Advertising managers, also known as promotions managers, plan and execute advertising campaigns for products and services. They also head up customer promotion efforts. Advertising managers typically oversee departments or teams of people and may work directly for an organization or for an advertising agency.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree
Median annual salary: $106,130

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Economist

Economists use mathematical models and statistical data to forecast market trends. They often work in government, where they suggest solutions to economic problems, but they may also advise private business about the different ways in which the economy can impact specific industries.

Minimum education requirements: master's degree
Median annual salary: $102,490

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Actuary

Actuaries use their knowledge of mathematics and statistics to help businesses understand the probability of an event occurring. For example, they may work for an insurance company where they determine how likely it is for an accident to happen. Companies hire actuaries when they want to understand the financial costs associated with risky events like insurance or investments.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree
Median annual salary: $101,560

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Health Administrator

Healthcare administrators, also known as health services managers, manage health care facilities, such health clinics and medical practices. They help to coordinate the delivery of health services, supervise staff members and identify ways to improve patient outcomes.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree (minimum); master's degree (preferred)
Median annual salary: $98,350

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Administrative Services Manager

Administrative services managers, sometimes known as business managers, oversee organizational staff and may also manage office facilities. They often perform clerical tasks, manage record-keeping procedures and coordinate meetings.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree
Median annual salary: $94,020

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Personal Financial Advisor

Personal financial advisors help individual clients establish financial goals and then provide advice about savings, investments, taxes and estate planning. They monitor investments for the client and make recommendations based on changes in the market and evolving client needs.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree (minimum); master's degree (preferred)
Median annual salary: $90,640

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Financial Analyst

Financial analysts evaluate business trends and financial data to assess the risks and rewards associated with various business opportunities. They then use their knowledge to provide recommendations to help both businesses and individuals make investment decisions.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree
Median annual salary: $84,300

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Management Analyst

Management analysts, also known as management consultants, are charged with looking for ways to improve efficiency and profitability within an organization. They qualitative and quantitative data to make decisions and recommend new corporate process or changes to the way an organization is managed and staffed.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree
Median annual salary: $82,450

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Budget Analyst

Budget analysts evaluate the financial needs of organizations and then make recommendations related to the organization's budget. They monitor organizational spending, evaluate budget proposals and look for ways to distribute extra funds.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree
Median annual salary: $75,240

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Logisticians

Logisticians are an integral part of an organization's supply chain. They oversee every aspect of as product's life cycle, from the purchase of materials to the transport and warehousing of the product.

Minimum education requirements: associate's degree (minimum); bachelor's degree (preferred)
Median annual salary: $74,590

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Insurance Underwriter

Insurance underwriters review insurance applications and determine the level of risk associated with insuring individuals and businesses. They are responsible for establishing insurance premiums and coverage limits based on how risky (or not risky) it is to insure a specific client.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree
Median annual salary: $69,760

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Accountant

Accountants analyze financial information and perform a range of services for individuals or businesses. They provide consulting services, perform audits, and prepare tax forms. Some accountants specialize in a specific areas, such as forensic or government accounting.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree
Median annual salary: $69,350

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Marketing Research Analyst

Marketing research analysts use quantitative and quantitative data collection to acquire information about market conditions and consumers. They then transform this data into reports that can be used by marketing managers to determine the best ways to market products and services.

Minimum education requirements: bachelor's degree
Median annual salary: $63,230

The salary data in this article was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.

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Schweitzer, Karen. "20 High-Paying Business Careers." ThoughtCo, Feb. 17, 2021, thoughtco.com/high-paying-business-careers-4176397. Schweitzer, Karen. (2021, February 17). 20 High-Paying Business Careers. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/high-paying-business-careers-4176397 Schweitzer, Karen. "20 High-Paying Business Careers." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/high-paying-business-careers-4176397 (accessed May 31, 2023).