Highest Paying Jobs for People With a Business Degree

When it comes to the very highest paying jobs in business, not surprisingly, a large percentage of them are in one industry: finance. However, there are many other fields that boast high-paying business jobs as well. Here, we’ll highlight a couple from the financial sector, along with many others. 

Learn more: Discover companies hiring by location, job title, and industry

C-Suite 

• CEO average base pay: $141,548 per year
  • Salary range: $63,000 – $318,000 per year
• COO average base pay: $152,606 per year 
  • Salary range: $77,000 – $301,000 per year
• CFO average base pay: $159,028 per year
  • Salary range: $82,000 – $307,000 per year

C-Suite, or C-Level refers to a collection of an organization’s most important senior executives, the titles of which tend to begin with the letter C (for Chief). The most commonly known and highest ranking C-Suite positions include chief executive officer (CEO), chief operating officer (COO), and chief financial officer (CFO). However, there are many other C-Level positions that fall into this executive category, and the variety found within a company largely depends on the size and mission of the organization.

The CEO is always at the highest level of corporate executives, typically serving as the face of a company and consulting other C-Suite members for advice on important decision-making. Traditionally, the career path of a CEO begins with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as finance, business, or management, but they can (and do) come from any background as long as they’re excellent leaders and possess strong decision-making skills.

The COO is typically second in command to the CEO and is generally regarded as a human resources (HR) C-Level executive. They’re responsible for all administrative, legal, and employee related services like payroll, recruitment, hiring, training, and ensuring daily operations run smoothly.

The CFO represents the highest corporate position in the financial industry. CFOs work closely with CEOs  analyzing financial risks and benefits and continuously seeking out new business ventures.

Marketing Manager

Average base pay: $ 99,212 per year

Salary range: $58,000 – $171,000 per year

Marketing managers are responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating marketing programs. They use public relations and advertising techniques to develop strategies that help businesses maximize profits, estimate the demand for services and products that organizations offer, and source and identify potential new markets.

A bachelor’s degree is required for most marketing manager positions, and courses in subjects like economics, computer science, finance, and business law, among others, are considered highly advantageous. Marketing managers often begin their careers in related occupations like promotions, sales, or advertising.

Human Resources Manager

Average base pay: $78,155 per year

Salary range: $49,000 – $123,000 per year

Human resources managers are typically responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating all administrative operations within a business. They work closely with top executives to manage processes like recruiting and hiring, and act as liaison between executives and employees. They oversee employee benefit programs, keep company practices in accordance with regulations, and manage employee relations, including mediating disputes and administering disciplinary practices.

HR managers typically have earned a bachelor’s degree in human resources or another related field like business management, information technology, or even education. Many human resources manager jobs also require a master’s degree in human resources or business administration (MBA). Additionally, human resources managers are usually required to have related work experience and start out as labor relations or human resources specialists.

Actuary

Average base pay: $118,372 per year

Salary range: $77,000 – $181,000

Most actuaries work at insurance companies helping design policies and determining which premiums are both most profitable and competitive using statistical data. Typical daily responsibilities of an actuary also include producing reports that explain findings, calculations, and proposals, and explaining those findings to company executives, shareholders, and clients. Most of an actuary’s work is done on computers using databases, statistics, and modeling software. Actuaries in the insurance industry usually specialize in health insurance, life insurance, property and casualty insurance, or enterprise risk.

Actuaries are required to have a bachelor’s degree in an analytical field such as statistics, actuarial science, or mathematics. Coursework in applied statistics, economics, corporate finance along with passing a series of exams is also necessary to become certified.

Tax Manager

Average base pay: $115,302 per year

Salary range: $83,000 – $160,000 per year

Tax managers are tasked with making sure businesses and organizations stay compliant with local, state, and federal tax regulations. They do this by developing and implementing various tax policies, preparing and filing tax documents, and identifying and resolving tax issues. Tax managers typically work for one company as an in-house employee or as an independent consultant for multiple organizations.  

Tax managers typically have  a master’s degree in finance, economics, or taxation and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. Additionally, employers often offer training opportunities to enhance and improve their skills on the job.

Talent Agent

Average base pay: $71,715 per year

Salary range: $37,000 – $139,000 per year

A talent agent is a public relations professional responsible for promoting and representing individuals rather than companies: athletes, actors, models, musicians, singers, bands, artists, comedians, performers, and others with marketable talent. The main goal of a talent agent is to steer their clients’ careers in the direction of new and more lucrative opportunities. Additionally, like any other public relations professional, a talent agent is in charge of upholding the reputations of those they represent.

These agents typically manage media inquiries and requests for appearances, negotiate the terms for such appearances and performances, schedule public activities, create promotional strategies, seek out and build relationships with industry professionals who can benefit the careers of their clients, and find jobs and gigs for clients.

There aren’t any specific educational requirements for becoming a talent agent, and the majority of training is gained through on-the-job experience. Most agents begin as interns, then work up to the agent’s assistant position before becoming agents. It’s worth noting that undergraduate degrees in related subjects like business studies, marketing, public relations, and law can help a great deal with getting a foot in the door in this field.

IT Systems Manager

Average base pay: $98,314 per year

Salary range: $55,000 – $176,000 per year

Information Technology (IT) systems managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and spearheading all computer-related activities within an organization. The scope of each individual IT manager’s duties varies depending on the company they’re working for and that company’s specific needs. The focus of their efforts tends to be in areas like telecommunication system management, computer networks, general electronic data support, and managing other IT staff. They identify problems with IT systems, implement solutions to fix those problems, maintain network security, and control annual budgets to support cost effectiveness.

To become an IT systems manager, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a computer or information science related field. Many businesses prefer their IT managers to also have a graduate degree such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Most jobs in this field also require a few years of experience in a related IT position; however these requirements vary depending on the company.

Logistician

Average base pay: $92,926 per year

Salary range: $58,000 – $150,000 per year

Logisticians are primarily tasked with coordinating responses to major natural or environmental events like earthquakes, hurricanes, oil spills, etc. This means ensuring supplies, equipment, and the appropriate skilled technicians get to the scene quickly and properly prepared. In addition to working in disaster response, logisticians also focus on developing and improving strategies that maximize efficiency and cost in a vast range of fields, from retail to government. They also work in the private sector on a smaller scale, coordinating distribution, shipping, and other warehouse operations.

Becoming a logistician requires at least a bachelor’s degree in fields like industrial engineering, supply chain management, or business. Many logisticians also choose to earn an MBA or become certified in a variety of specialties. A significant percentage of logisticians have military backgrounds, as well, as many military specialties provide excellent training and preparation for the scope of the logistician role.

Medical and Health Services Manager

Average base pay: $70,903 per year

Salary range: $53,000 – $96,000 per year

Also referred to as health care executives or health care administrators, medical and health services managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing health care and health services. They’re tasked with managing entire facilities, specific departments, or medical practices in a variety of environments like nursing homes and hospitals. Most of these managers work alongside physicians, surgeons, clinical and laboratory technicians, nurses, and other medical workers, while others interact heavily with patients and insurance agents.

Typically, medical and health services managers have at least a bachelor’s degree before they get started in the field. However, specific educational requirements in this position vary depending on the facility and specialty. Many employers require or prefer a master’s degree, and almost all require prospective managers to have work experience in a hospital or other healthcare facility, in either a clinical or administrative position.

 

Use this list of highest paying business jobs to help you choose a career path. If you’re already in a career and want to make a change, consider using Glassdoor to learn what you need to do to make that change.