Top 10 highest-paying business jobs
The business sector offers a variety of high-paying careers that require specialized expertise like data analysis, financial management, and leadership. Professionals can develop these skills through formal education, certifications, and business courses.
Explore the highest-paying business jobs and the education required to enter these fields.
The top 10 highest-paying business jobs
Employing nearly 11 million professionals, the business sector is one of the largest occupational groups in the country — and among the highest paying. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for this group was $79,050 as of May 2023, exceeding the median annual salary for all occupations by more than 64%.
With strong projected growth and diverse career opportunities, the business and financial sector offers pathways for professionals from various educational backgrounds. While only 60.5% of the positions call for a bachelor's degree, most of the highest-paying business jobs require at least that level of education — and additional education, certifications, and skills in some cases.
The table and sections below explore the highest-paying business occupations based on BLS data from May 2023. For ranking purposes, the methodology used here considers all non-management roles in the business and financial operations category, as defined by the BLS.
Occupation | Median annual salary (2023) |
|---|---|
Financial risk specialists | |
Personal financial advisors | |
Management analysts | |
Financial and investment analysts | $99,010 |
Project management specialists | |
Labor relations specialists | |
Budget analysts | |
Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes | |
Financial examiners | |
Accountants and auditors |
Financial risk specialists
- BLS median annual salary (2023): $106,090
- BLS projected employment growth (2023–33): +8%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business or a related field; some employers may also require a master's degree
- Helpful skills and experience: Risk management and financial modeling skills; professional ethics and regulations knowledge; CFA certification
Personal financial advisors
- BLS median annual salary (2023): $99,580
- BLS projected employment growth (2023–33): +17%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business, mathematics, or a related field; some employers may also require a master's degree
- Helpful skills and experience: Financial management, market research, and risk management skills; CFP certification
Management analysts
- BLS median annual salary (2023): $99,410
- BLS projected employment growth (2023–33): +11%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business or a related field; some employers may also require a master's degree
- Helpful skills and experience: Strategic management, project management, and data analysis skills; CMC certification
Financial and investment analysts
- BLS median annual salary (2023): $99,010
- BLS projected employment growth (2023–33): +10%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business or a related field; some employers may also require a master's degree
- Helpful skills and experience: Portfolio management and financial modeling skills; CFA certification; knowledge of the SEC filing process
Project management specialists
- BLS median annual salary (2023): $98,580
- BLS projected employment growth (2023–33): +7%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business or a related field; a technical degree may also be helpful
- Helpful skills and experience: Project management, leadership, and reporting skills; experience with business analysis or human resources; PMP certification
Labor relations specialists
- BLS median annual salary (2023): $89,980
- BLS projected employment growth (2023–33): +0%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or a related field
- Helpful skills and experience: Human resources and conflict resolution skills; knowledge of labor laws; SHRM certification
Budget analysts
- BLS median annual salary (2023): $84,940
- BLS projected employment growth (2023–33): +4%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business or a related field; some employers may also require a master's degree
- Helpful skills and experience: Budget management, financial analysis, and reporting skills; experience with finance and budgets; CGFM certification
Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes
- BLS median annual salary (2023): $84,900
- BLS projected employment growth (2023–33):+9%
- Education requirements: Typically, a bachelor's degree in business or a related field, though some may rely mostly on experience
- Helpful skills and experience: Communication, leadership, and labor relations skills; industry experience
Financial examiners
- BLS median annual salary (2023): $84,300
- BLS projected employment growth (2023–33): +21%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business or a related field
- Helpful skills and experience: Financial analysis and modeling, credit analysis, and accounting skills; knowledge of regulatory compliance; AFE or CFE certification
Accountants and auditors
- BLS median annual salary (2023): $79,880
- BLS projected employment growth (2023–33): +6%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, or a related field; some employers may also require a master's degree or professional certification
- Helpful skills and experience: Financial or managerial accounting, financial reporting, and taxation skills; CPA certification
Financial risk specialists analyze financial data to advise organizations on financial and investment decisions. They identify risks and develop mitigation policies to protect their clients' and employers' financial health. Approximately one-third of financial risk specialists work in credit intermediation.
Most financial risk specialist positions demand a business-related bachelor's degree, but some employers require a master's degree. Professional certifications like the chartered financial analyst (CFA) credential can also help, as can investment and portfolio management experience.
Personal financial advisors help individuals make informed financial decisions. They offer investment recommendations and services, analyze financial health and spending, and create financial plans to help their clients meet goals. The majority of these professionals work in the securities, commodities, and financial investments industry.
Most personal financial advisors hold a bachelor's degree in a business-related field, though a master's degree may be required for some positions. Credentials like the certified financial planner (CFP) can showcase professional expertise, but many employers mandate substantial on-the-job portfolio development and management training for new employees.
Management analysts analyze an organization's operational data and provide improvement suggestions. They review financial information, systems, and processes to identify inefficiencies and come up with sustainable solutions. More than one-third of these analysts work in the professional, scientific, and technical services industry.
Most management analyst positions require a business-related bachelor's degree at minimum, but some call for a master's in business administration (MBA) as well. Many employers prefer candidates with accounting or systems analysis experience, and relevant credentials like the certified management consultant (CMC) designation can also help you stand out.
Financial and investment analysts help individuals and organizations manage their financial and investment decisions. They often specialize in an industry or region to offer better insight into the unique trends and regulations of that sector. One-quarter of all financial and investment analysts work in the securities, commodities, and financial investments industry.
Financial and investment analyst positions typically require a business-related bachelor's degree at minimum, but some employers also require a master's degree. While not mandatory for all roles, employers may also prefer candidates with CFA certification and investment experience.
Project management specialists oversee projects and guide the technical team throughout the process. They may handle the budgeting, staffing, and scheduling, along with project communication with management and stakeholders. About half of all project management specialists work in the construction, professional, scientific, and technical services industries.
Most project management specialists need a business-related bachelor's degree, though a technical degree may also prove beneficial. Candidates with experience as business analysts or human resources specialists may stand out to some employers. Certifications like the project management professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute can also improve a candidate's application.
Labor relations specialists mediate management-employee issues, such as employment contracts, labor disputes, and other grievances. Their duties may include communicating with labor unions, developing employment policies, and overseeing disciplinary processes and actions. Nearly three-quarters of these professionals work in labor unions and organizations.
Labor relations specialists usually need a bachelor's degree in human resources or business at a minimum, but a specialized degree in labor and industrial relations combined with professional experience in human resources may be best. Many employers also prefer candidates with a human resources certification, such as one from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Budget analysts help organizations develop sustainable budgets by analyzing financial data and identifying cost-cutting and alternative funding opportunities. Their duties may include monitoring spending, performing cost-benefit analyses, and preparing budget reports. More than one-quarter of budget analysts work in the federal government.
A business-related bachelor's degree is typically the minimum requirement for the field, but some employers also require a master's degree. Credentials like the certified government financial manager (CGFM) from the Association of Government Accountants can also prove worthwhile, as can finance- and budget-related professional experience.
Agents and business managers handle the business dealings for artists, performers, and athletes. Their duties include contract negotiations, financial management, and public relations. The majority of these professionals work directly for their clients.
Most agents and business managers hold a bachelor's degree in business, but not all positions require this level of education. Depending on their specific role or focus, agents and managers may need education in another discipline, such as accounting or public relations. Some clients and employers may also prefer industry experience over education.
Financial examiners monitor the financial services and lending processes of financial institutions to ensure they're safe, fair, and compliant. They review financial data and policies, observe the processes, and prepare reports based on their findings. More than 40% of financial examiners work in credit intermediation.
Financial examiners typically need a bachelor's degree in business or accounting, but credentials like the accredited financial examiner (AFE) and the certified financial examiner (CFE) can also help. New professionals may also benefit from at least a year of on-the-job training.
Accountants and auditors prepare and analyze financial records for individuals and organizations to help them improve their financial health. Their jobs may include completing taxes, counseling on financial practices, and ensuring compliance with financial operations.
Most accountants and auditors need a bachelor's in accounting or business, but some employers demand a master's degree or a professional certification like certified public accountant (CPA). Candidates may also need several years of professional experience for advanced accounting and auditing positions.
Start a rewarding career in business
The business world hosts many financially rewarding careers for professionals of all educational levels, but the highest-paying business jobs usually require a combination of formal education, professional experience, and advanced skills.
To give yourself a jump on the competition, consider a business course through edX to develop specialized skills and expertise in your chosen field.