'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
Business management degree career outlook: Jobs and salaries
During a business management degree, you'll learn how to analyze financial projections, make strategic business decisions, and effectively lead teams.
Learners study finance, accounting, marketing, and entrepreneurship. They also strengthen their analytical and collaboration skills. The degree prepares graduates for leadership roles as entrepreneurs and managers.
Management careers offer high salaries and strong projected demand. But how much can you make as a business management major? And what jobs can you get with a business management degree? We explore the answers below.
Top jobs with a business management degree: Quick look
Job title | Minimum degree required | Median salary (2021) | Average projected openings/year |
General or operations manager | Bachelor's | $97,970 | 247,100 (all top executive jobs) |
Financial manager | Bachelor's | $131,710 | 64,200 |
Sales manager | Bachelor's | $127,490 | 37,000 |
Human resources manager | Master's | $126,230 | 14,800 |
Management analyst | Bachelor's | $93,000 | 99,400 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
How much money can you make with a business management degree?
On average, professionals with a bachelor's in business management earn $66,000 per year, according to PayScale data from September 2021. However, salaries vary widely depending on the location, industry, and job title.
Many business management roles, including supervisory positions, pay salaries well above the U.S.'s median annual wage of $45,760.
For example, management occupations pay a median annual salary of $102,450, according to BLS data. Industrial production managers, financial managers, and sales managers all report median salaries in the six figures.
Business professionals can increase their earning potential with experience, a graduate degree, or professional certifications.
What jobs can you get with a business management degree?
A business management degree prepares professionals for decision-making roles in diverse industries.
A bachelor's degree meets the requirement for many management roles, including as a human resources manager, financial manager, or management analyst.
You can combine a double major with business management to open additional potential career paths.
Advanced degrees, such as an MBA, may qualify you for additional supervisory and executive roles when paired with experience.
SEE: Best online MBA degrees: Top picks
General or operations manager
- Minimum degree required: Bachelor's, such as a business administration degree
- 2021 median salary: $97,970
- Projected job growth (2020-30): 8%
- Related job titles: Director of operations, business manager, store manager
Good fit for:
- Professionals with supervisory and leadership experience
- Those with strong time-management and problem-solving skills
- Candidates with the ability to communicate effectively
General and operations managers direct daily operations for their division. They create budgets, oversee staff, and set policies. General and operations managers also monitor projects and allocate resources. Most roles require a bachelor's degree and work experience. After working as a general or operations manager, professionals may move into CEO roles.
Financial manager
- Minimum degree required: Bachelor's
- 2021 median salary: $131,710
- Projected job growth (2020-30): 17%
- Related job titles: Risk manager, insurance manager, chief financial officer
Good fit for:
- Professionals with strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills
- Leaders with experience managing teams
- Those with a detail-oriented approach to solving problems
Financial managers oversee financial analysts and create plans to reach their organization's financial goals. They analyze financial data to recommend investment strategies and evaluate financial risk. Financial managers generally hold a bachelor's degree in finance, business management, or a related field. They should also have some work experience as a financial analyst.
Sales manager
- Minimum degree required: Bachelor's
- 2021 median salary: $127,490
- Projected job growth (2020-30): 7%
- Related job titles: Account executive, business development manager, area sales manager
Good fit for:
- Candidates with a background in sales, including sales work experience
- People with strong communication and customer service skills
- Those with good organizational and leadership abilities
Sales managers oversee a team of sales representatives. They evaluate data to project sales and set goals. Sales managers also train sales reps on customer acquisition and sales techniques. The position typically requires a bachelor's degree, such as a marketing degree, and experience in sales.
Human resources manager
- Minimum degree required: Master's, such as a human resources master's
- 2020 median salary: $126,230
- Projected job growth (2020-30): 9%
- Related job titles: Training and development manager, recruitment consultant, benefits and compensation manager
Good fit for:
- Professionals with a background in human resources
- Candidates with strong interpersonal and communication skills
- People with leadership or management training
Human resources managers oversee the administrative side of organizations. They manage the recruitment and hiring process, administer compensation and benefits packages, and resolve employment disputes. Human resources managers also advise organizations on their training and staffing needs. Human resources managers have previous experience in human resources. Most hold a human resources degree or a management degree. Some positions require a human resources master's.
Management analyst
- Minimum degree required: Bachelor's
- 2020 median salary: $93,000
- Projected job growth (2020-30): 14%
- Related job titles: Management consultant, business process analyst, operations analyst
Good fit for:
- Professionals with management training, including a business management degree
- Those with strong analytical abilities
- People with a detail-oriented outlook and good problem-solving skills
Management analysts evaluate organizations to solve problems and identify more efficient procedures. They recommend strategies that will increase earnings and reduce expenses. Most management analysts hold a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. After working as a management analyst, professionals move into roles as consultants or managers.
What kind of jobs can you get with a business management degree?
Professionals with a business management degree work as project managers, financial managers, management analysts, and general managers. The degree also prepares graduates for supervisory roles.
What high paying jobs can you get with a business management degree?
The highest paying business management jobs include financial manager, human resources manager, and sales manager. The median salary for these roles exceeds $120,000 per year, according to May 2021 BLS data.
This article was reviewed by Krystal Covington, MBA
Krystal Covington, MBA, is a business growth strategist with 15 years of experience in marketing and public relations. Her company, Go Lead Consulting, provides clients foundational tools to build new client and customer relationships.
Covington founded Women of Denver, one of the largest privately held membership organizations in Denver, Colorado. Her program helps women increase their business acumen, sharpen leadership skills and connect with other high-achieving women. Covington received her MBA from Western Governors University in 2012.
Krystal Covington is a paid member of the Red Ventures Education freelance review network.
Last reviewed Oct. 21, 2021.
Unless otherwise noted, all salary and job growth data was drawn from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 6, 2022.