Best Business Degree Jobs in 2023

Published on October 26, 2023

Best Business Degree Jobs in 2023 was originally published on Forage.

When it was your turn to select a major, you may have chosen business, thinking it would give you the most job options when you graduated. And, ultimately, that’s correct! For those with a business degree, jobs are plentiful. However, there are so many options that you might be a bit overwhelmed trying to figure out which career path to pursue.

Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. This guide covers the different types of business degrees you can earn, what kinds of business degree jobs you can pursue with them, and even some suggestions on how to decide which careers in business might be a great fit for you!

What Is a Business Degree?

Majoring in business exposes you to a broad range of business topics. You’ll study areas like marketing, finance, management, and entrepreneurship to help you understand what a business is and how it works.

Though some business degrees are general, you can choose a concentration (like health care management, human resources, or accounting). And no matter what business degree you receive, your coursework will help to prepare you to work in anything from a nonprofit to starting your own company.

What Kinds of Business Degrees Are There?

Business is one of the most common majors and degrees granted across all education levels. During the 2020-2021 school year, it was one of the top three most common majors and degrees awarded. There were: 

  • 116,100 associate business degrees (11% of all degrees)
  • 391,400 bachelor’s business degrees (19% of all degrees)
  • 202,334 master’s in business degrees (23% of all degrees)

Associate Degree in Business

Students can earn associate degrees after two years of successful study. While community colleges are most commonly associated with associate degrees, some four-year institutions offer associate degree programs.

When you complete an associate’s degree in business, you’ll have a general understanding of how businesses work, and most programs don’t offer a concentration. Though you’ll be prepared to enter the workforce, you may need to complete a bachelor’s degree to move up the career ladder.

Bachelor’s Degree in Business

A bachelor’s degree in business prepares you for nearly any kind of business-oriented work. However, not all bachelor’s in business degrees are the same.

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

Also known as a BBA, a bachelor’s degree in business administration is a general business major. It covers all the basics but doesn’t focus on one area of business over another, giving you the ability to start your business career in any sector or area of the business.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA)

A Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) is a more specialized course of study. Your studies may focus on a specific area, like law or health care, or a type of business, like marketing or accounting. Unlike the BBA, the BSBA often prepares you for a specific career path.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

A master’s of business administration (MBA) is a common requirement for upper-level business jobs (like consulting or a director or CEO level role). While you need a bachelor’s degree to enroll in an MBA program, it doesn’t have to be a bachelor’s in business. Many MBA students majored in something entirely different than business during their undergraduate years.

Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Business

You can also earn a Ph.D. in business. However, it’s unnecessary for most business careers and is commonly pursued by people interested in an academic career.

What Jobs Can You Get With a Business Degree?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics compiled data from several sources and found that of people majoring in business in 2021, 88% concentrated their studies in one of the following areas:

  • Business management and administration (27%)
  • General business (21%)
  • Accounting (18%)
  • Finance (12%)
  • Marketing and market research (11%)
  • Other (12%)

The BLS also reported that 75% of people with a business degree worked in:

  • Management occupations (24%)
  • Business and financial operations occupations (23%)
  • Sales and related occupations (12%)
  • Office and administration support occupations (10%)
  • Computer and mathematical occupations (5%)
  • Other (25%)

And finally, according to the BLS, nearly 13 million people worked in “business” in 2021 and had a median annual wage of $69,000.

Business Degree Jobs in 2023

So, what does this all mean for you? What careers in business are open to you, and what jobs can you get with a business degree?

The BLS groups business jobs under the business and financial occupation umbrella. This includes jobs as diverse as accountants and auditors, fundraisers, and property appraisers and assessors. Here are some excellent options for people with a business degree.

Accountants and Auditors

  • Median annual pay (2022): $78,000
  • Predicted job growth (2022 – 2032): 4% or as fast as average

Accountants and auditors provide financial insight and advice to private clients as well as corporate ones. They may review financial records, prepare tax returns, or suggest ways to reduce costs or improve finances.

Financial Analysts

  • Median annual pay (2022): $96,220
  • Predicted job growth (2022 – 2032): 8% or faster than average

As a financial analyst you’ll spend a lot of time analyzing the performance of financial products. While that includes stocks, bonds, and other investment products (like real estate), you may also determine a company’s value as part of a merger and acquisition.

Human Resources Specialists

  • Median annual pay (2022): $64,240
  • Predicted job growth (2022 – 2032): 6% or faster than average

Human resources specialist is a generalized job title that often refers to entry-level work. You’ll likely work in all aspects of human resources, including recruiting, payroll, compensation and benefits, and employee training.

Insurance Underwriters

  • Median annual pay (2022): $76,230
  • Predicted job growth (2022 – 2032): -2%

Insurance underwriters evaluate insurance applications and help decide if the policy should be written or not. Though open jobs in the field are expected to decline, this entry-level role is excellent exposure to the insurance industry and gives you much-needed experience to move into other roles, like account manager or loan officer.

Logisticians

  • Median annual pay (2022): $77,520
  • Predicted job growth (2022 – 2032): 18% or much faster than average

Logisticians are the wizards behind the scenes that coordinate, analyze, and optimize a company’s supply chain. They manage relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners, find ways to decrease costs while improving shipping times, and make sure everything is on time and where it needs to be.

Management Analysts

  • Median annual pay (2022): $95,290
  • Predicted job growth (2022 – 2032): 10% or much faster than average

Sometimes also known as a management consultant, a management analyst works with companies to improve their operational efficiency. A management analyst identifies problems or challenges the company is facing and offers solutions for optimizing operations or solving these problems.

Market Research Analysts

  • Median annual pay (2022): $68,230
  • Predicted job growth (2022 – 2032): 13% or much faster than average

In a nutshell, marketing analysts help companies figure out what consumers want, who will buy that product, and what people are willing to pay. The marketing analyst answers these questions by monitoring and forecasting trends, conducting research with consumers, and analyzing data to see how well a marketing campaign performs.

Personal Financial Advisors

  • Median annual pay (2022): $95,390
  • Predicted job growth (2022 – 2032): 13% or much faster than average

As a personal financial advisor, you’ll provide your clients with top-notch financial expertise. This includes advising them on which stocks to invest in, helping them plan for special needs or future events, and educating them.

Project Management Specialists

  • Median annual pay (2022): $95,370
  • Predicted job growth (2022 – 2032): 6% or faster than average

Project management specialists coordinate all the details — big and small — on a project. They collaborate with the stakeholders to ensure everyone’s goals are met, communicate with everyone on the project to ensure they have what they need to get their tasks done, and make sure everyone stays informed about the project’s progress.

Is a Business Degree Worth It?

Only you can decide if a business degree is worth it for you and your career goals.

Looking at BLS predictions, some areas in business are expected to grow while others may experience employment loss between 2022 and 2032:

However, because a business degree allows you to pursue a range of job options, you’ll likely have many career paths open to you as you build your skills and experience.

What Job Will You Get With Your Business Degree?

As you can see, business degree jobs are plentiful. But if you aren’t sure which kind of business job is right for you, test-drive one (or several!) with a free Forage virtual job simulation. From accounting or entrepreneurship to life sciences and many more, there’s bound to be a virtual job simulation that’s right for you. Sign up for one today.

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