21 Jobs You Can Get With a Business Management Degree

Updated August 2, 2023

Getting a business management degree can offer a wide array of career options in many different industries. Learning about the jobs available with a degree in business management can help you determine if it's the right educational program for you.

In this article, we discuss a business management degree and specializations, and we offer 21 careers you can begin with a business management degree.

What is a business management degree?

A business management degree teaches a range of administrative, marketing or even accounting tasks, how to work closely with a team and develop skills to manage a business or organization successfully. A business management degree can refer to a/an:

Associate in business management: Two-year program that teaches how an organization functions and includes coursework such as business law and ethics, principles of marketing and project management.
Bachelor’s degree in business management: Four-year program that teaches the overall management of a business, including risk management and strategic management. Students in this program pick a specialization to focus on, such as marketing, entrepreneurship or real estate.
Master’s degree in business management: Two-year program provides higher level coursework on management and leadership topics as well as chosen specialization.

Business degree specializations

Most entry-level positions in business or business management will prefer a bachelor’s degree program as a prerequisite, but a master’s degree might make you a competitive candidate, depending on the position, specialization and industry. There are several business degree specializations you can choose to study including:

Accounting
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Human resources
Health care administration or management
International business
Marketing
Public administration

Benefits of getting a business degree

Whether you are considering a business or business management degree as a student or as an employee seeking career advancement, earning degrees in this field can have several benefits including:

Potential for promotion in a shorter amount of time
Become a better, more knowledgeable leader
Salary increases
A better understanding of strategy and operations
Easier transition into new careers
Increase your and your team’s job performance
Develop specialized skills that apply to most industries

21 careers for a business management degree

Here are 21 careers to consider if you have a business management degree, including typical duties and average salary:

1. Client services manager

National average salary: $55,222 per year

Primary duties: Client services managers are responsible for developing and implementing customer service procedures and training staff to follow the established guidelines. They keep in contact with current clients and talk to them about campaigns or projects they might be interested in. Client services managers help customers with questions and inquiries and resolve issues as needed.

2. Sales representative

National average salary: $59,594 per year

Primary duties: Sales representatives contact new or existing customers and discuss products or services they may be interested in. They negotiate contracts and follow up with clients to ensure their satisfaction with the service. Sales representatives could also prospect for potential clients. They sometimes act as customer service representatives and help clients with questions or issues with products. Sales representatives may work with individuals, businesses or other organizations.

3. Project manager

National average salary: $76,404

Primary duties: Project managers (PMs) organize, plan, direct and coordinate business projects and are responsible for that all projects are completed according to deadline, budget and company goals. They are in charge of supervising teams, scheduling meetings, troubleshooting and measuring small goals and milestones according to the larger goal.

Related: FAQ: Project Management Basics

4. Office manager

National average salary: $42,187 per year

Primary duties: An office manager organizes business operations, procedures and overall maintenance. They prepare payroll and approve supply requests. An office manager might have an administrative team to which they assign duties and manage tasks. Office managers should be familiar with an office environment and how to manage other people.

5. Human resource manager

National average salary: $69,206

Primary duties: Human resource managers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of employee hiring, firing, payroll, training and development and governance. They are often in charge of researching and recruiting employees, coordinating interviews and onboarding new hires. Human resource managers handle payroll and benefits and may be in charge of other incentive programs.

6. Business manager

National average salary: $63,999

Primary duties: A business manager is responsible for supervising and managing the business of a company, including assets, operations and employees. Tasks will vary by company size but the main goals of the business manager is to evaluate, troubleshoot and implement business strategies for optimum company productivity and efficiency.

7. Community manager

National average salary: $47,173 per year

Primary duties: A community manager helps organizations build and grow their online presence. They analyze online usage using analytical tools that look at what current clients are saying about the company. Community managers help to develop a strategic plan for starting or increasing online community usage through social media.

8. Staff accountant

National average salary: $51,109 per year

Primary duties: A staff accountant is responsible for maintaining financial reports, records, general ledgers, preparation and analysis of budgets and general bookkeeping. They may also prepare invoices and account reconciliation. Staff accountants develop and implement accounting procedures for the organization.

9. Marketing manager

National average salary: $61,136 per year

Primary duties: A marketing manager works with executives to develop a strategy for their company to drive more sales and sign customers. They often analyze data for industry trends in regard to the products or services their company supplies. A marketing manager may supervise a team of marketing coordinators and help to train and develop their team for future growth.

10. Logistics manager

National average salary: $61,227 per year

Primary duties: A logistics manager organizes the storage of goods and their distribution. They coordinate the transportation of goods, management of stock and the general flow of goods. Logistics managers are also tasked with materials handling, customer service and schedules for warehouse employees. They may also ensure employees follow basic safety procedures.

11. Account executive

National average salary: $65,773 per year

Primary duties: Account executives are responsible for acquiring new clients and maintaining relationships through customer service. They build and maintain relationships by providing excellent customer service. The account executive is often the point of contact between the team and the client. They are often tasked with strategic planning to help their clients reach specific goals.

12. Data analyst

National average salary: $67,300 per year

Primary duties: A data analyst takes market research or sales numbers and translates them into understandable information for organizations. The data is, then, used to develop strategic plans that help businesses make more informed decisions, including creating more detailed solutions for common customer issues. Data analysts use a variety of software and critical-thinking skills to find the information needed for projects.

13. Business consultant

National average salary: $71,581 per year

Primary duties: A business consultant organizes and executes different administrative assignments for a client. They gather client and business information through research, interviews and other methods to find the strengths and weaknesses of the organization. Business consultants, then, discuss these findings with their clients and provide ideas and solutions to issues found during the assessment.

14. Management analyst

National average salary: $77,523 per year

Primary duties: Management analysts help organizations find ways to maximize efficiency through cost reductions and increased revenue. They help organizations create procedures and operating manuals and conduct organizational evaluations to help them design more efficient systems.

15. Development director

National average salary: $83,017 per year

Primary duties: A development director works with an organization to create a strategic plan to raise funds for the company. The plan needs to be cost-effective and is usually time-sensitive. Their primary focus is to oversee fundraising efforts, including delegating tasks and duties to team members. Development directors often network and make connections with potential donors or sponsors.

16. Director of operations

National average salary: $94,692 per year

Primary duties: A director of operations oversees and encourages the growth and profitability of an organization. Their duties may include staff management, department supervision or the production of goods. The director of operations helps with the daily activities of the company and sets strategic goals to help organizations remain in business.

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Other jobs for business management degrees

Here are other potential career roles to consider if you have a business management degree:

Frequently asked questions

Is business management a difficult degree?

Business management degrees aren't typically the most difficult majors, but that doesn't mean they don't present challenges. During a business management degree, it's highly likely you're going to delve into topics such as finance, economics, marketing and accounting. You're also expected to learn about the social, technical and financial aspects of a business. If these topics align with your interests, studying business management can be enjoyable and rewarding.

Is business manager a good job?

There are many benefits that come with being a business manager. The most common benefits include high-paying salaries, health, dental and life insurance, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, paid time off, retirement plans and flexible work schedules. Being a business manager also equips you with many transferrable skills which you can apply to other occupations and presents opportunities to develop professionally.

What's the most employable business degree?

There are many business degrees that present multiple occupational pathways to successful graduates. The most popular and highly employable business majors include:

Management
Accounting
Finance
Administration
Marketing

What skills do I need for business management?

Having a strong skill set helps when trying to get a role in business management. Aside from developing your business management skills during your degree, you can also complete a business management internship or online courses to further develop your abilities. Here are some skills that employers value highly and that are essential to any business management occupation:

Communication
Management
Leadership
Problem-solving
Financial intelligence

How much do business management jobs pay?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for management professions is $131,200 per year. Management occupations present a salary higher than all major job categories, which is $69,300 more than the national average salary. The highest-paying business management roles, which require a bachelor's degree, include:

Computer and information systems managers
Architectural and engineering managers
Natural sciences managers
Advertising, promotions and marketing managers
Financial managers

What's the difference between business administration and business management?

Business administrators oversee the daily operations of an organization. They supervise management, hire new team members, lead meetings and liaise with upper management to implement new policies and operational processes. Business managers are more concerned with the daily activities of employees. They oversee the internal operations of employees, conduct evaluations to monitor productivity, assess the efficiency and organization within the business and develop strategies to improve performance.

Where do business managers get paid the most?

There are various factors that affect how much a business manager earns, including experience, industry or employer and reputation. Among these factors is location, as the average salary of business manager occupations differs depending on what state and city you work in. If you are seeking the highest possible salary, you may consider relocating to these top-paying locations for business managers: