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What Can You Do with a Degree in Business?

 |  10 Min Read

Earning a degree in business can prepare you for a meaningful and high-paying career in a range of industries. New Mexico Highlands University’s online BAS in General Business program delivers highly applicable skills such as critical thinking, negotiation, data analysis and conflict resolution. With this widely relevant expertise, graduates have options for what they can do with a business degree.

How much do business majors make after graduation? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median salary of $79,050 for business and finance occupations, which is well above the 2023 median pay for all jobs.1 Further, business professionals who advance to management positions earn even higher salaries at a median of $116,880.2 Business and management jobs are also among the fastest growing occupations, leading to many business degree career paths available to recent graduates.

Between 2023 and 2033, job openings for business and financial occupations are projected to grow faster than the average for all jobs, with 963,500 openings expected each year.1 Management occupations are also expected to grow faster than average, with 1.2 million new managers hired annually.2 This growth represents opportunity for business degree graduates who are interested in pursuing the above-average salaries offered by positions such as those described below.

Highest Paying Jobs with a Business Degree

What careers can you get with a business degree? Build real-world skills at Highlands University and pursue some of the highest-paying careers in our list below.

Sales Manager

2023 Median Salary: $135,1602

Sales managers oversee the process of selling goods and services to customers. Depending on the size and nature of the organization they work for, a sales manager’s responsibilities may vary. While those in small organizations may be primarily concerned with selling products, others employed by larger businesses manage entire teams of sales associates and have little contact with customers. Regardless of their employer, most sales managers are responsible for:

  • Acquiring new customers
  • Analyzing sales data
  • Understanding customer preferences
  • Projecting product sales and profitability
  • Providing customer service
  • Setting and monitoring goals

Health Services Manager

2023 Median Salary: $110,6802

Health services managers work closely with healthcare providers to provide quality experiences for patients. They manage the administrative and business operations that keep hospitals, clinics, medical offices and other healthcare environments running smoothly. Depending on the size of the organization they work for, these professionals may supervise others and may manage one department or an entire office. Responsibilities of health services managers include:

  • Creating work schedules
  • Maintaining confidentiality
  • Monitoring the safety and functionality of the healthcare facility
  • Ordering office and medical supplies
  • Organizing patient and employee records
  • Requesting repairs of office and healthcare equipment
  • Scheduling appointments and meetings
  • Setting goals and monitoring progress

Administrative Services Manager

2023 Median Salary: $106,4703

Administrative services managers supervise office support services within an organization. Professionals in this role may oversee a specific department, such as bookkeeping, or they may manage administrative services for the entire company. Depending on the size of the organization, they may also supervise other employees. Common job duties for administrative services managers include:

  • Keeping office records up to date
  • Monitoring maintenance and repair of office equipment
  • Ordering and organizing office supplies
  • Recommending updates to operational policies or procedures
  • Setting goals for their department

Construction Manager

2023 Median Salary: $103,4602

Construction managers oversee projects that involve building or repairing structures such as roads, bridges, public buildings, apartment complexes and more. These professionals are involved with the entire construction process, from planning to budgeting and supervising the project. While a construction manager’s job can differ from project to project, they are typically responsible for:

  • Collaborating with architects and engineers
  • Ensuring the construction project meets legal requirements
  • Estimating costs and preparing a budget
  • Hiring employees and subcontractors
  • Monitoring and reporting on the project’s progress
  • Responding to emergencies, delays and other project issues

Recreation Manager

2023 Median Salary: $73,4602

Recreation managers plan and supervise activities related to fitness and entertainment. They may work for a range of employers, including local governments, fitness centers, sports facilities and more. These professionals may organize activities for a specific age group or for people of all ages. They are typically responsible for:

  • Creating and presenting budgets
  • Engaging with participants
  • Ensuring the recreation site is safe and accessible
  • Explaining rules and processes of recreational activities · Planning and implementing recreational activities
  • Scheduling events
  • Training other staff

Management Analyst

2023 Median Salary: $99,4101

Management analysts use their business expertise to make recommendations for improving efficiency within an organization. Also referred to as management consultants, these professionals are often employed as contractors, but they are sometimes hired to work consistently for one business over an extended period. Common job duties for management analysts include:

  • Analyzing financial data
  • Developing solutions to problems
  • Following up with managers to measure impact
  • Gathering information about an organization’s processes
  • Interviewing personnel and conducting observations
  • Recommending ways to improve the efficiency of operations

Project Management Specialist

2023 Median Salary: $98,5801

Project management specialists work in a range of industries and oversee the execution of projects involving more than one employee. Professionals in this role may also work with clients or customers to ensure they understand the goals of a specific project. They guide projects from planning to completion and are often responsible for the following tasks along the way:

  • Assigning tasks to other team members
  • Building estimated project timelines
  • Defining the scope of projects
  • Identifying the specific steps required to complete a project
  • Making necessary changes to project plans
  • Monitoring the project’s budget and progress
  • Monitoring project deliverables

Budget Analyst

2023 Median Salary: $84,9401

Budget analysts assist organizations in staying financially healthy. Whether they work for public or private companies, these professionals analyze the costs and benefits of an organization’s programs and operations to make recommendations for planning and budgeting. They work closely with managers and top executives to guide the company’s financial decisions. Budget analysts are often responsible for:

  • Approving funding requests
  • Developing organization-wide budgets
  • Estimating financial needs
  • Managing spending
  • Reviewing budget proposals
  • Working with managers to keep projects within budget

Operations Research Analyst

2023 Median Salary: $83,6404

Operations research analysts help organizations make decisions and solve problems related to scheduling, resource allocation, establishing procedures, supply chain management and more. They do so with the use of mathematics and logic, so it’s important for professionals in this role to have a solid grasp on these subjects in addition to expertise in business. An operation research analyst’s job duties may vary depending on their employer, but generally, their responsibilities include:

  • Developing and testing solutions
  • Gathering and analyzing information from multiple sources
  • Identifying problems within an organization
  • Recommending solutions and assisting managers in implementing them
  • Reporting and presenting on their findings

Logistician

2023 Median Salary: $79,4001

Logisticians coordinate the activities involved with a company’s supply chain. They facilitate the movement of products all the way from creation to consumer purchase. These professionals are responsible for ensuring smooth processes for the production, shipment and storage of goods and must collaborate with other departments to accomplish this goal. Their job duties typically include:

  • Communicating with suppliers and consumers
  • Ensuring the supply of products meets consumer demand
  • Forecasting the cost of product purchasing, transportation and storage
  • Identifying areas for improvement in the supply chain
  • Managing the acquisition of products
  • Recommending ways for a company to save time and money

Insurance Underwriter

2023 Median Salary: $77,8601

Insurance underwriters evaluate applications for insurance. They may specialize in home, vehicle, life, medical or other types of insurance. Insurance underwriters determine whether to approve an application for insurance, and if it is approved, they are responsible for setting the coverage amounts and premiums. Insurance underwriters are responsible for:

  • Analyzing insurance applications
  • Deciding whether to approve an applicant for insurance
  • Determining the risk of insuring an applicant
  • Gathering information from field experts to inform insurance policies
  • Reviewing information from underwriting software
  • Setting insurance limits and premiums

Market Research Analyst

2023 Median Salary: $74,6801

Market research analysts gather information about products, customers and other factors in order to predict how well a product or service will perform on the market. This helps companies decide which items to sell and at what price. Professionals in this role need to be skilled in working with data to understand consumer behavior and forecast the impact of marketing efforts. A marketing research analyst’s job duties often involve:

  • Analyzing data to understand consumers, competitors, sales and more
  • Gathering information through surveys, focus groups, polls and other methods
  • Measuring the impact of marketing campaigns
  • Predicting future sales based on data analysis
  • Presenting findings to managers and marketing teams

Compensation and Benefits Specialist

2023 Median Salary: $74,5301

Compensation and benefits specialists evaluate an organization’s pay and benefits packages in order to determine whether it adequately rewards employees for their work. These professionals are responsible for ensuring that employees receive the benefits they’re legally entitled to and that companies offer a total compensation package that allows them to compete with other employers. Their job duties may include:

  • Comparing available benefits plans
  • Determining salary ranges based on job descriptions
  • Ensuring companies meet legal requirements for compensation
  • Polling employees to measure benefit satisfaction
  • Recommending improvements to compensation packages
  • Researching compensation and benefits plans
  • Summarizing their findings for management teams

Human Resource Specialist

2023 Median Salary: $67,6501

Human resource (HR) specialists may carry out a range of responsibilities within an HR department. It’s common for these professionals to be involved with hiring new employees, training staff members, resolving conflicts and similar duties. Like many business-focused employees, HR specialists may work in a wide range of industries. They are often responsible for:

  • Answering questions about work conditions and compensation
  • Checking applicants’ references and backgrounds
  • Coordinating employee orientation
  • Designing and implementing employee training
  • Organizing records and following expectations of confidentiality
  • Recruiting and interviewing new employees

Getting Experience and Building a Business Resume

Thanks to the flexibility of online learning, many New Mexico Highlands business students continue working while they study. If you’re an adult learner with family and household responsibilities, you may already be planning to do so. It’s essential to learn how to balance work responsibilities with your studies. Here are a few tips to help:

  • Make a weekly schedule that includes specific times to study. By planning ahead and knowing when you’ll have dedicated time to complete your coursework, you can thrive in both work and school.
  • Stay organized by adding due dates to your planner or calendar. Keep your textbooks and school supplies organized in a dedicated area so you don’t waste time searching for what you need.
  • Take breaks when you need them. This is an important step to avoid burnout – going for a walk, resting or spending time with friends can help you return to your coursework with fresh eyes.
  • Communicate with your professors and managers at work and ask for help when you need it. Make sure your professors and managers are aware that you are both working and going to school. If you need support, ask sooner rather than later.

Working or pursuing business internships while finishing your degree is also a great way to build your résumé, especially if you’re interested in pursuing management positions right away. It’s also a good way to save money as a college student, as working can help reduce student debt.

Check out these resources from Indeed and the Harvard Business Review to start writing your business résumé, and follow these best practices:

  • Include sections for education, work experience and relevant skills or projects
  • List your most recent and relevant experiences first on your business résumé
  • Use action verbs to describe your work experience
  • When it’s time to start applying for jobs, be sure to customize your resume for each job by including important keywords from the job description

To successfully pursue high-paying careers with a business degree, it’s important to choose a program that will deliver the skills and expertise you need to impress future employers. To get started, learn more about the online BAS in General Business from New Mexico Highlands University today.

Sources

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Business and Financial Occupations.” August 29, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/.
  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Management Occupations.” August 29, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/.
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Administrative Services and Facilities Managers.” August 29, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/administrative-services-managers.htm#tab-5.
  4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Operational Research Analysts.” August 29, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/operations-research-analysts.htm.

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