Business Administration Careers | BestColleges

Most business administration careers require a college degree that emphasizes accounting or finance. You can learn more about these degrees in this guide, as well as common careers for business administration majors. Other sections cover continuing education opportunities, career resources, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Business Administration Career Outlook

Jobs in business administration include positions where workers help companies and organizations meet financial goals. The median salaries for these careers typically range from $50,000-$90,000 per year. Also, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment for these professionals to grow by 7% from 2018-2028, which is higher than the projected growth for all careers in the United States.

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The following salary table reflects the median annual salaries for four typical business administration careers, as well as how a worker’s salary potential increases over time.

Source: PayScale

Skills Gained With a Business Administration Degree

Students in business administration programs study the fundamentals of business and management best practices. They learn to plan, organize, lead, and support the human, financial, and physical resources that comprise a business.

Through coursework and training, students develop leadership skills, including analytical, communication, and problem-solving abilities. For many business administration career paths, learning does not end at the college level but continues through certification and personal/professional development.

Analytical

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Analytical skills support sound decision-making and problem-solving. For fields such as accounting, professionals employ analytical skills to carry out their daily work, including calculating bottom lines and investigating fraud. Many business administration programs offer business analytics as a concentration, which teaches students to transform data into predictive information.

Math

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Business professionals should possess a basic knowledge of math concepts and demonstrate financial literacy. Many refer to financial accounting — a core course in business administration programs — as the common “language of business.”

Project Management

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Project management skills help individuals advance in their business administration career paths. Effective project management involves detailed planning; open team communication; and the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and stay within a budget. While general business administration degrees teach project management basics, students can also choose project management as a specialty.

Organizational

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Like analytical skills, organizational skills underpin other business competencies, such as decision-making, problem-solving, and leadership. In business management and administration careers, individuals use organizational skills to set goals, develop and assign tasks, and delegate duties.

Communication

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Careers that take advantage of a business administration degree require proficiency in verbal and written communication. A team leader must be able to communicate with all stakeholders of a project and convey expectations and goals. The five main elements of business communication include collaboration, public speaking, listening, reading others, and written communication.

Business Administration Career Paths

Along with factors like program cost and length, on-campus requirements, and accreditation, students should weigh available concentrations or specialties and how these options may affect their available career paths. Many students — even at the undergraduate level — tend to know the business administration careers they want to pursue.

To prepare for their target career, a student should select a concentration that matches their professional aspirations. Check out the following list of specialties, which contains traditional and modern business career pathways.

Accounting

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This path covers the financial aspects of business, including financial statements, transactions, and the reconciliation of accounts. In addition to financial accounting, enrollees also study auditing, cost accounting, managerial accounting, and tax accounting.

Computer Information Systems

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Learners explore the technical and business sides of management information systems to prepare for this career path. Given that computer and information systems managers typically need graduate degrees and basic business proficiency, master of business administration (MBA) degrees with a concentration in computer information systems may be an especially sensible choice for this field.

Finance

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With a focus on investments, raising capital, and managing risk, finance is one of the core functional areas of business, and business administration students already study this topic to some degree in their core curriculum.

Marketing

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Marketing focuses on promotion to help ensure an organization’s success and sustainability. Business administration careers that emphasize marketing skills also include roles in advertising and public relations. Students learn to assess consumer behavior, build brands and brand loyalty, and strategically market goods and services.

How to Start Your Career in Business Administration

According to the BLS, most business administration careers require candidates to possess a bachelor’s degree. This four-year degree provides you with foundational business knowledge, as well as transferable skills that you develop in general education courses. As a result, you can switch jobs if you decide that a career in business administration does not match your personality.

As you gain experience in an entry-level job, you may realize that professional advancement requires an advanced degree, such as an MBA. Your employer may restrict management-level positions to employees who possess this degree; however, some companies pay for workers to return to school and earn their master’s degrees.

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration

Bachelor’s in business administration (BBA) graduates gain a broad, in-demand skill set that applies to finance, technology, healthcare, and other fields. A BBA provides students with versatility, mobility, and room for professional growth.

Business administration students develop the foundational knowledge and skills needed to adapt to changing markets and technologies in a dynamic economy. BBA graduates can also transfer their skills to other fields, should the opportunity arise.

A BBA fulfills the entry-level education requirement for many business management and administration careers. Additionally, the BLS projects above-average employment growth for the business and financial sectors.

What Can You Do With an Bachelor’s in Business Administration?

Accountant and Auditor

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Accountants prepare and examine financial documents, document financial transactions, and recommend financial actions after analyzing accounting options. Auditors review organizations’ financial records to ensure validity and accuracy. To work as an accountant or auditor, each candidate needs a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, like business administration.

Salary: $71,550

Budget Analyst

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Budget analysts help public and private institutions develop budgets after assessing a project or program’s needs, costs, and risks. They work closely with product and project managers, reviewing budget proposals for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.

Salary: $76,540

Cost Estimator

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These professionals analyze data to determine the overall cost of a project, accounting for materials, labor, and time. Estimators typically specialize in a product or industry, such as automotive production or construction.

Salary: $65,250

Human Resource Specialist

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Human resource specialists and managers develop policy and direct/coordinate organizations’ administrative functions and HR activities. Daily duties may involve hiring, screening, and recruiting new staff; addressing questions regarding compensation, benefits, training, and labor relations; and working on strategic planning. An HR specialist typically needs a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions.

Salary: $61,920

Logistician

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Logisticians oversee the activities of a supply chain, including purchasing, transportation, inventory, and warehousing. They manage a product’s lifecycle, working with software tailored to their industry. Daily duties often center on the logistical functions of the supply chain, such as procurement, inventory management, and delivery.

Salary: $74,750

Source: BLS

Master’s Degree in Business Administration

While earning a professional business degree or MBA, students develop a comprehensive understanding of how businesses operate, as well as the skills and know-how needed to lead and manage.

A recent survey by the National Center for Education Statistics found that U.S. schools conferred the most master’s degrees in business, outpacing education — the runner-up — by more than 25%.

While BBAs can help graduates launch their business administration careers, MBAs help them continue to advance professionally. MBA graduates leave business programs prepared to take on management roles across industries.

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Business Administration?

Information Technology Manager

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Information technology managers oversee the computer-related activities of an organization, including the planning, coordination, and direction of IT goals and systems. They work with hardware, software, and networks, often leading teams in the installation and maintenance of these systems. Many organizations require these workers to hold master’s degrees.

Salary: $146,360

Financial Manager

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These managers monitor the financial health of an organization. Typical duties include producing and reviewing financial reports, monitoring accounts, and preparing activity reports. They also direct investment activities and assess ways to help organizations achieve and improve profitability, including analyzing markets for opportunities and developing long-term strategies. Financial managers with bachelor’s degrees must bring significant experience to the role, and many employers prefer candidates with master’s degrees in business administration, finance, or accounting.

Salary: $129,890

Industrial Production Manager

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Industrial production managers oversee the daily production of goods at manufacturing plants and related sites. Responsibilities include coordinating, planning, and directing the use of workers and machines in the production process. These managers also deal with performance reviews, quality assurance, and safety compliance. Hiring managers at larger plants often look for candidates who hold MBAs or advanced degrees in industrial management.

Salary: $105,480

Management Analyst

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Management analysts help companies find ways to improve their efficiency of operations to drive down costs and increase revenues. Their daily duties may include conducting organizational studies and evaluations, designing systems and procedures, and conducting measurement studies. These analysts can enter the field with bachelor’s degrees, though some employers prefer candidates who hold MBAs.

Salary: $85,260

Top Executive

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C-level executives make company-wide decisions. They direct, plan, and coordinate their organizations’ activities, developing policies and strategies to reach their goals. A top executive may possess a degree in business administration or a degree more targeted to their industry, such as a public administration degree. To work in the private sector, an executive commonly holds an MBA with a specialization in finance, entrepreneurship, operations, or business intelligence.

Salary: $104,690

Source: BLS

Doctorate Degree in Business Administration

A doctor of business administration (DBA) serves as a terminal degree in the field. Students who enroll in these programs continue to bolster their theoretical knowledge related to business and business management by completing 3-6 additional years of education. Similar to an MBA, a DBA can lead to many lucrative career opportunities.

While a DBA prepares professionals to continue working in management, a Ph.D. in business administration qualifies graduates for roles like professors, researchers, and economists.

Ph.D. tracks differ from DBA programs in that they emphasize research, preparing graduates to contribute to modern business scholarship and work in academia. Some roles, like teaching at the university level, require applicants to hold doctoral degrees.

What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Business Administration?

Postsecondary Teacher

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Professors prepare course materials and teach at universities and colleges. They lead lectures, seminars, workshops, field studies, and labs. They may also carry out independent research and engage in collaborative work with colleagues. Postsecondary teachers with master’s degrees can sometimes find employment at the junior or community college levels. However, to teach at a four-year institution, professionals typically need a Ph.D.

Salary: $79,540

Economist

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Economists study how societies distribute resources. Professional economists conduct research and analyze the costs and benefits in the distribution and consumption of goods and services. Typical duties include monitoring economic trends; performing data analysis; and developing forecasts for variables like inflation, interest rates, business cycles, and a nation’s employment levels. A doctorate can help an economist stand apart from their peers.

Salary: $105,020

Source: BLS

Why Pursue a Career in Business Administration?

Business administration careers need professionals who can think analytically, lead teams, and perform research. Although most academic programs help learners to develop and hone these traits, individuals should also have a passion for using them to complete tasks and solve problems on the job.

A business administration degree allows graduates to work in nearly any private industry — companies and organizations require business professionals who can help them succeed financially. As a result, business administrators can look for a field that aligns with their expertise and passion.

How to Advance Your Career in Business Administration

Once you attain your first business administration career, you can research ways to improve your job and salary potential. This process may include enrolling in a master’s program, completing continuing education courses, and/or earning a professional certification. You may need to complete additional steps, depending on your career goals and your employer’s requirements.

The following sections highlight different ways to make the most of a career with a business administration degree.

Certifications and/or Licensure

Business administrators do not typically need a license if they find a job at an existing company. However, a professional who wants to start their own business needs a license in their home state. Business owners must renew their licenses annually, which requires a fee.

Although a license may not be necessary, many workers pursue optional professional certifications to advance within their career. For example, the Project Management Institute (PMI) offers nine industry certifications, including project management professional and portfolio management professional credentials. PMI certifies candidates who pass a rigorous exam and meet other prerequisites, such as possessing a bachelor’s degree or professional experience.

Continuing Education

Professionals can pursue industrial certification programs, continuing education opportunities, and university certificates to continue learning relevant skills. Many universities offer online certificates, which allow professionals to take part in continuing education without pausing their careers.

Typical continuing education programs charge a fee, but some schools may provide some continuing education courses at no cost. Both edX and Coursera have popular business administration courses, many of which were developed by professors at top universities.

Some professionals may discover that the only way to advance their career in business administration involves earning a master’s degree. If this is the case, they should see if their employer offers a tuition-reimbursement plan.

Next Steps

As professionals explore online continuing education opportunities, they may wonder which options align with their current job and career goals. Before paying for a course, they should consult with a supervisor to determine which classes might benefit their current role. This conversation can also signal to employers that an employee values lifelong learning and wants to improve their skills.

As professionals complete continuing education opportunities and gain experience, they should keep looking for new ways to ensure professional success. One of the most important ways to do this involves networking with peers. Forming relationships with like-minded individuals can lead to a new job or raise. Workers can also join a professional organization, like the American Management Association or the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

How to Switch Your Career to Business Administration

Professionals in other fields may consider switching to a career in business administration. Bachelor’s degrees that are closely related to business administration include marketing, entrepreneurship, international business, and project management.

If someone does not possess a bachelor’s degree in one of these fields, they can still transition into a business administration career by earning a certification, certificate, or master’s degree. Many reputable universities offer online MBA programs for non-business professionals; these programs generally take about 24 months and may involve some synchronous coursework.

Where Can You Work as a Business Administration Professional?

Industries

Business administration graduates enter the job market with many career options, which tend to increase as a worker gains more education and/or experience. A versatile business degree prepares graduates for opportunities in many industries. A recent report by the Graduate Management Admission Council on hiring trends found that the consulting, energy and utilities, healthcare, and technology industries have the strongest demand for new MBA graduates.

Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services

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This industry includes CPA firms and businesses that provide tax preparation and payroll services. Other services include auditing, preparing financial statements, and designing accounting systems.

Management of Companies and Enterprises

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Businesses in this sector manage companies or secure their financial assets. They may acquire a controlling interest in a business or influence management decisions.

Financial Services

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The financial services industry includes the institutions and firms that provide services like money management, personal investment, and insurance. Banks, money markets, and stockbrokers also fall under the financial services umbrella.

Management Consulting

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This sector offers advisory services to public and private organizations. Consultants assess operations and recommend plans of action regarding organizational design, IT strategy, corporate strategy, sales, and marketing efforts.

Nonprofit

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Nonprofit organizations require similar leadership, direction, and consulting roles as for-profit enterprises.

Source: BLS

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Interview With a Business Professional

Click here to learn about a BA in business administration graduate who works as a talent acquisitions professional.

Resources for Business Administration Majors

Business administration majors can take advantage of many resources to prepare for success in their coursework and future careers. The following sections cover popular professional organizations, open courseware, and publications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is business administration a good major?

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Business administration is a well-paying, in-demand field. Additionally, a business administration degree conveys many transferable skills that graduates can use in other career paths.

What is the average salary for a worker with a business administration degree?

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According to the BLS, the Salary for workers in business and financial operations occupations is about $70,000. However, salaries vary throughout the United States, as the cost of living differs in each state. Also, more experienced business administrators — including those with advanced degrees or multiple certifications — can earn significantly more.

What can you do with a business administration degree?

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A business administration degree gives graduates the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in many different business settings. They can also expand their potential career opportunities by completing a complementary minor or a second major. This allows them to learn in-demand business skills and insider knowledge of a different field.

How do you start a career in business administration?

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In addition to earning a business degree, an individual can prepare for careers in business administration by completing one or more college internships. Internships convey in-demand skills and allow students to network with managers and other business professionals. A successful internship and excellent grades can help degree-seekers attain attractive entry-level careers.

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