What kind of jobs can you get with a business degree?

A business degree is one of the most popular undergraduate degrees today. And while many business leaders, CEOs, and company presidents also earned that degree, they certainly didn’t start out at the top.

As you think about your own career, you may be wondering what kind of jobs you can get with a business administration degree after you graduate. The good news is that depending on your interests and strengths, your business degree can take you to a lot of jobs and industries, many of them offering high salaries for business degrees.

Here is a list of the 21 top-paying jobs from Payscale.com’s 2020 College Salary Report. Keep in mind, this is just a sampling of what jobs you can get with a business degree. These figures represent median salaries for business degrees and 10 years of experience.

21. Project Accountant $63,100

Project accountants monitor the day-to-day and week-to-week progress of projects. They use knowledge and skills gained with a business degree to investigate and correct errors in budgets, oversee expenses, and keep all financials in line.

20. Pricing Analyst $63,400

Another position you can pursue if you’re wondering what jobs you can get with a business degree is pricing analyst. Pricing analysts use data to examine industry pricing and consumer habits. They help businesses determine how to set competitive prices for their products and services.

19. Cost Accountant $64,200

Cost accounting differs from financial accounting. A cost accountant considers all costs associated with the production of goods and services. Cost accounting helps management make fully informed business decisions, which is why this is another great example of what kind of job you can get with a business degree.

18. Procurement Analyst $64,200

Procurement analysts typically work in the supply chain management team of an organization. They help determine the purchases that need to be made in order to keep the production of products and services moving efficiently and cost-effectively. This usually includes building relationships with different suppliers, testing products, and negotiating contracts.

17. Tax Associate $64,400

If you’re asking, “what jobs can I get with a business degree”, and crunching numbers is up your alley, a tax associate job could be a great fit for you. As a tax associate, you would prepare tax returns for individual people or entire corporations to ensure they comply with all federal and state tax regulations.

16. Tax Accountant $64,700

Like a tax associate, a tax accountant has the ability to prepare taxes but also possesses a deeper knowledge of tax laws and regulations that can help people and corporations plan for more complex strategies. This is one example of what jobs you can get with a business degree that may require further studies in an area of specialization.

15. Accounts Payable Manager $65,100

Another career for those wondering “what jobs can I get with a business degree?” is accounts payable manager. They oversee the accounts payable team within an organization and ensure that the payment of company invoices is accurate, timely, and compliant.

14. Auditor $66,000

An auditor is a business professional who often works for external or government agencies and is tasked with reviewing their financial records. Auditors ensure these institutions are in compliance with government laws and regulations.

13. Market Analyst $66,800

Market analysts interpret consumer data to help organizations understand how people make decisions on everything from what, why, where, and when they buy. This example of the kind of job you can get with a business degree is crucial to overall marketing and advertising strategies.

12. Internal Auditor $67,100

An internal auditor is hired by an organization to review financial records and ensure their accuracy. They’re instrumental in protecting businesses from fraud and legal issues and helping to correct operational inefficiencies.

11. Supply Chain Analyst $68,700

The supply chain of any organization needs to run with as few interruptions as possible. The supply chain analyst’s role is key to this, as they monitor and assess companies’ exchange of goods and services to help predict what they need, when they need it, and at what cost, among many other factors.

10. Financial Analyst $71,400

Financial analyst is another example of the kind of job you can you get with a business administration degree. These professionals work across a wide variety of industries and are hired to help predict the outcome of business plans. They play a crucial role in helping companies make well-informed, strategic decisions.

9. Payroll Manager $73,700

Ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time is a need of every organization. Payroll managers are typically business, finance, or human resources professionals who oversee employee compensation, whether alone or while leading a large staff.

8. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) $78,200

Another well-paying job for those wondering what you can do with a business administration degree is certified public accountant. A CPA is an accounting professional licensed by each state’s Board of Accountancy. They often hold high-level positions in public accounting, as well as executive positions in corporations, such as controller and chief financial officer.

7. Securities Analyst $85,800

Securities analysts are involved with a number of financial processes within investment banks, venture capital firms and other organizations. In large institutions, they can be heavily involved with mergers and acquisitions, consulting, corporate strategy, and bankruptcy.

6. Financial Advisor $87,900

The role of a financial advisor is highly varied. They may work for large companies or independently. They help business or individuals make good strategic decisions to meet their financial goals, whether it be investing their money in the short term or planning for retirement. Financial advising a great avenue for financially minded students wondering what careers you can get with a business administration degree.

5. Financial Controller $91,600

Controllers have a very high-profile financial role within their organization. They oversee the preparation of operating budgets, financial reporting, and often payroll as well. Put another way, the financial controller is an organization’s lead accountant.

4. Portfolio Manager $102,000

If you’re wondering, “what jobs can I get with a business administration degree,” and dream about working on Wall Street, portfolio manager may be a role for you. These business professionals are responsible for day-to-day, year-to-year growth of investments for their clients, while seeking to meet their specific performance goals.

3. Finance Manager $102,000

Financial managers are responsible for monitoring a company’s finances, analyzing data, and advising senior managers on ways to improve company profits. They are often leaders of teams that write financial reports and operational budgets for the entire organization.

2. Corporate Controller $106,000

Similar to a financial controller, a corporate controller is a top financial role in a large organization. They’re responsible for everything from banking relationships to company investments, employee benefits and just about everything related to finance. It’s a job you won’t get right out of college, but when looking at what jobs you can get with a business administration degree, this is one you could eventually work your way up to.

1. Accounting Director $109,000

An accounting director, or director of accounting, is another high-profile role at the top of a company’s financial department. Similar to a controller, they are responsible for overseeing the financial health of an organization. They play a major role in all of the financial moves made.

As you can see, if you’re asking, “what jobs can I get with a business administration degree?”, the answer is, you have many options to choose from. Your business degree opens the door to a variety of roles, and this list of 21 jobs you could have with a business degree is just a small sampling. You may view some jobs as stepping stones to achieve your career goals, or you may find that a job that is perfectly suited to your aspirations. And as with anything else, more research on where your business degree can take you is always a good idea.