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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.
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
Looking for a high paying career? These top paying business careers have positive growth outlooks and annual salaries of around six figures.
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.
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
Good fit for:
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.
Good fit for:
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.
Good fit for:
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.
Good fit for:
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.
Good fit for:
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.
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.
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.
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.
