What Can You Do with a Business Degree? 10 In-Demand Jobs (2026)

Key takeaways

A degree in business is a popular educational course of study at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, providing students with an understanding business management, operations, and strategy. At a glance, here's what you need to know about business degrees and their associated careers:

• According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 19 percent of bachelor’s degrees during the 2021 to 2022 academic year were in business [1].

• With the skills you develop through your business degree program, you can pursue jobs in a variety of industries, including human resources, entrepreneurship, and sales.

• Your business degree can prepare you for careers such as health services manager, market research analyst, financial manager, and HR specialist, among many others.

Explore what you can do with a business degree, including the average annual salary and job outlook for in-demand roles, to determine what career path you want to pursue. Afterward, if you want to build job-relevant skills, you might consider subscribing to Coursera Plus to gain access to more than 10,000 learning programs from industry leaders like Google, Microsoft, and IBM.

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What can you do with a business degree?

If you want to know what you can do with a business degree, you can discover a variety of options, such as pursuing a particular interest or specialty. Your business degree may be a broader major, where you specialize in a field including marketing, finance, or entrepreneurship, to qualify for future roles.

Your business degree may also qualify you for more advanced positions or help you continue your formal education by pursuing a master’s degree in business in the future.

What is the highest-paid job in a business?

Executive-level roles are typically the highest-paid jobs in an organization. These positions may include chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), chief technology officer (CTO), and chief marketing officer (CMO). According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, top executives earn a median salary of $105,350, though that number can often be much higher [2].

10 in-demand business degree jobs

Discover 10 jobs you can get with a business degree, including their job descriptions, salaries, career outlooks, and requirements, to help you decide which career path for business graduates is right for you.

1. Medical and health services manager

Median annual US salary (BLS): $117,960 [3]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 23 percent [3]

Requirements: Many entry-level medical and health services management jobs require a bachelor’s degree in a field like management, business administration, health care administration, nursing, or public health.

As a medical or health service manager, you can work behind the scenes at a hospital, doctor’s office, or other care facility to keep it running safely and efficiently. You manage many operational duties of a health care facility, and your daily tasks may include:

• Training and recruiting hospital staff

• Managing digital health care records

• Creating schedules for health care providers

• Communicating with health insurance representatives

This role may be a good fit if you pay close attention to detail and you’re interested in the health care sector outside of the biological elements of direct patient care. Earning a graduate degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master of Health Administration (MHA), may help you advance your career to executive positions and grow your earning potential.

2. Information security analyst

Median annual US salary (BLS): $124,910 [4]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 29 percent [4]

Requirements: While many security analysts have a computer-related bachelor’s degree, some companies prefer applicants with an MBA in information systems. This degree typically includes both business and computer-related coursework. 

As an information security analyst, you play a key role in protecting an organization’s computer networks and systems. You serve as the gatekeeper for information systems—and help safeguard a company’s reputation—through:

• Identifying weaknesses in network security

• Planning and implementing security protocols and systems

• Responding to breaches and cyberattacks

• Training users to navigate new systems

This role may be a good fit if you like to understand how things work, tend to think ahead, and thrive off a challenge.

3. Operations research analyst

Median annual US salary (BLS): $91,290 [5]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 21 percent [5]

Requirements: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in fields including business, management science, operations research, or analytics is a valuable asset. 

As an operations research analyst, you leverage your critical thinking skills to help organizations operate efficiently and effectively. You take raw data and transform it into actionable insights using data mining, statistical analysis, and mathematical modeling. Some common daily tasks include:

• Collecting and analyzing large data sets

• Developing mathematical models to solve problems

• Testing and validating models to ensure accuracy

• Advising leadership teams on business solutions

This role might be a good fit for you if you enjoy the problem-solving side of mathematics. You may excel in this position if you have strong analytical skills and approach problems with a methodical, logical approach. You may further elevate your resume by gaining experience with SQL or machine learning skills.

4. Market research analyst

Median annual US salary (BLS): $76,950 [6]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 7 percent [6]

Requirements: Employers may prefer a bachelor’s degree in market research, business administration, communications, or statistics. 

As a market research analyst, you study the marketplace. Your responsibilities include determining your company’s position versus competitors and helping research market products and services. As the consumer marketplace continues to evolve, you look for new ways to engage and delight customers by:

• Monitoring and predicting sales trends

• Researching consumers, competitors, and products

• Developing new ways to gather meaningful consumer data

• Presenting actionable insights in a simple, visually appealing way

This role might be a good fit if you have strong analytical and creative skills and have the ability to take raw data and use it to tell a persuasive story. You may also advance your career by earning an MBA.

5. Financial manager

Median annual US salary (BLS): $161,700 [7]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 15 percent [7]

Requirements: Financial management positions typically require a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a business-related field such as finance, accounting, economics, or business administration. 

As a financial manager, you are responsible for the overall financial health of an organization. You help your organization achieve its short and long-term financial goals by:

• Producing financial reports and forecasts

• Directing investment activities

• Analyzing market trends for opportunities

• Developing plans for long-term financial goals

• Assisting management in financial decisions

This role might be a good fit if you’re inquisitive, self-motivated, and enjoy teaching others. Earning an advanced degree or a professional certification, including the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) certification, may open up opportunities for advancement to potentially become a chief financial officer.

6. Fundraiser

Median annual US salary (BLS): $66,490 [8]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 4 percent [8]

Requirements: Fundraisers typically have a bachelor’s degree in a field such as business, communications, or public relations.

As a fundraiser, you may work in the political or not-for-profit sectors to raise money for an organization. The role of a fundraiser includes additional responsibilities, such as:

• Analyzing what’s important to potential donors

• Crafting strong and compelling messages

• Organizing campaigns and events to bring in donations

• Maintaining donor information records

• Training volunteers in fundraising best practices

This role might be a good fit if you have a passion for a cause and want to apply your leadership and communication skills to further that mission. Once you’ve gained some experience, you may earn your Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential to stand out to future employers and qualify for advanced positions. 

What business administration degree pays the most?

The average annual salary you make as a business major may differ based on the industry you work in, your future employer, and the geographical area you live in. Typically, if you earn a business degree in marketing, finance, or human resources, you can expect to earn more than business majors who specialize in an area such as sales.

7. Management analyst

Median annual US salary (BLS): $101,190 [9]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 9 percent [9]

Requirements: Management analysts require business and leadership skills acquired from a bachelor’s degree in business, economics, finance, or marketing.

As a management analyst, sometimes called a management consultant, you help organizations become more profitable by finding ways to reduce costs and boost revenue. You likely work as a consultant meeting with various client companies, and you may have other responsibilities, including:

• Interviewing and observing on-site to evaluate company performance

• Examining financial data and employment reports

• Recommending organizational changes and new procedures

• Training workers in newly implemented strategies

This role might be a good fit if you enjoy solving complex problems and working with new ideas. Additionally, earning an MBA may make you stand out to top consulting firms. While not always a requirement, some management analysts choose to earn their Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation.

8. Human resources specialist

Median annual US salary (BLS): $72,910 [10]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 6 percent [10]

Requirements: Requirements vary by company and industry, though many human resources (HR) specialists start with a bachelor’s degree in business or human resources. Some positions require previous experience in customer service or other related positions. 

As an HR specialist, you are responsible for hiring and maintaining talent within a company. Tasks vary from day to day but likely include:

• Recruiting, screening, and interviewing workers

• Processing new hire paperwork and exit interviews

• Conducting training for new hires

• Managing compensation and benefits

• Addressing complaints and harassment allegations

This role might be a good fit if you navigate difficult situations with empathy and tact and value flexibility, variety, and the ability to make a difference in individual lives. Consider expanding your options to advance into a human resources manager position by completing a certification program, including the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)’s SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certifications.

9. Marketing manager

Median annual US salary (BLS): $159,660 [11]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 6 percent [11]

Requirements: To become a marketing manager, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field such as marketing or advertising. Some companies may look for previous work experience in the business world, as a sales rep or public relations specialist, for example.

As a marketing manager, you serve as the link between a company and its customers. You work on a public relations or marketing team to manage services or products by:

• Crafting promotional messages for various media channels

• Managing budgets for marketing campaigns

• Testing marketing strategies and messages

• Building relationships with media outlets

• Monitoring and improving search engine optimization (SEO)

This role might be a good fit if you’re a team player with a natural curiosity about why people do what they do. You’re equal parts creative and analytical. To become a marketing manager, consider enhancing your creative and problem-solving skills. As a marketing manager, it’s important that you have strong communication skills to communicate your research findings and create effective marketing strategies.

10. Accountant or auditor

Median annual US salary (BLS): $81,680 [12]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 5 percent [12]

Requirements: Accountants and auditors require a bachelor’s degree or a Master of Science in Accounting. Many accountants also become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) to further enhance their career prospects.

As an accountant or auditor, you work with organizations to keep their financial records accurate, up-to-date, and in compliance with industry regulations. While accountants often prepare financial records and reports, auditors verify the accuracy of those documents. Accountant job responsibilities include:

• Examining financial records for accuracy and compliance

• Preparing or verifying tax returns

• Analyzing accounting systems for maximum efficiency

• Making business and financial recommendations to management

This role might be a good fit if you have a love of numbers and an eye for detail. Employers typically prefer candidates with experience, which you may obtain through internships and entry-level positions. 

Free job search resources

Coursera's Career Resource Hub offers a powerful collection of free job search resources designed to support you whether you're starting out, switching fields, or aiming for a promotion:

• Industry-specific interview prep to ace your toughest questions

• Custom study guides for today's most in-demand skills

• Career quizzes for finding your ideal role (or the skills you'll need to get there)

• Cheat sheets and topic glossaries to support your independent study

• Career path maps to visualize your opportunities

• Career transition guides for making a smooth and successful change

Work toward your career goals with Coursera

With a business degree, you can pursue careers in various industries, including human resources, marketing, and accounting. As you're preparing for the next stage of your career, consider using these resources to help you reach your goals:

• Watch on YouTube: Set Smarter Learning Goals (and Grow Faster)

• Take a mini quiz: Career Test: What Career is Right for Me Quiz?

• Start your learning journey: Digital Marketing Career Progression: Job Levels & Skills to Advance

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