Top 20 Business & Sales Careers
Business jobs are highly diverse with most jobs in the field paying a high salary. Jobs in the business industry typically only require a Bachelor’s degree so the educational investment to pay-off is high.
Personal financial advisors took the top spot on the list of top business jobs as well as the #1 spot on the list of top 100 careers overall. The pay is high, topping over $89K a year with the salary span nearing $150K so there’s a lot of room for growth. In addition, the job outlook is 30% with 73,900 new jobs expected between 2014 and 2024.
Management analysts claim the #2 spot with a median salary of $81K a year, a 14% job outlook, and 103,400 new jobs expected to be added through 2024.
Financial managers take the #3 spot with a median 6-figure pay of over $117K a year. The job outlook for financial managers is lower than the careers in the #1 and #2 spots; it comes in at 7% which is about the average for all occupations.
See how we ranked the top business jobs.
The highest score using our ranking system is 100
Personal Financial Advisor
#1 Personal Financial Advisor
Overall Score: 93 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Financial advisors in the private sector generally assist with all aspect of money management for an individual or family. They will provide advice on a wide range of financial topics including retirement, investments, taxes, and insurance … learn more
Median Salary: $89,160 | Salary Span: $147,900
Job Outlook: 30% | # of New Jobs: 73,900
Management Analyst
#2 Management Analyst
Overall Score: 85 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Management analysts study the breakdown in a business’s operations and recommend new strategies for improved communication and management effectiveness … learn more
Median Salary: $81,320 | Salary Span: $104,250
Job Outlook: 14% | # of New Jobs: 103,400
Financial Manager
#3 Financial Manager
Overall Score: 84 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Financial managers are responsible for oversight of the financial health of a company. They may assist with generating and approving the company’s operational budget and offer recommendations for improved financial performance … learn more
Median Salary: $117,990 | Salary Span: $124,180
Job Outlook: 7% | # of New Jobs: 37,700
Medical & Health Services Manager
#4 Medical and Health Services Manager
Overall Score: 83 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Employees in health management oversee daily operations for a health care facility. They ensure their staff and organization are in compliance with all government policies regarding healthcare and manage and motivate their teams … learn more
Median Salary: $94,500 | Salary Span: $109,150
Job Outlook: 17% | # of New Jobs: 56,300
Operations Research Analyst
#5 Operations Research Analyst
Overall Score: 83 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Operations research analysts are extremely adept with analyzing complex data and recognizing patterns. They will often be responsible for recommending improved operational processes based on their research and analysis … learn more
Median Salary: $78,630 | Salary Span: $88,980
Job Outlook: 30% | # of New Jobs: 27,600
Advertising & Promotion Manager
#6 Advertising and Promotion Manager
Overall Score: 81 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Advertising and promotion managers have a good mix of creativity and interpersonal skills. They direct advertising campaigns and are responsible for keeping their teams on track and clients happy … learn more
Median Salary: $95,890 | Salary Span: $144,760
Job Outlook: 9% | # of New Jobs: 19,700
Securities, Commodities, & Financial Services Sales Agents
#7 Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
Overall Score: 80 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Sales agents in the financial services industry sell securities and commodities on behalf of a company or individual. They will generally prepare financial reports, explain purchase options to customers, and keep record of all transactions … learn more
Median Salary: $71,550 | Salary Span: $154,520+
Job Outlook: 10% | # of New Jobs: 32,500
Human Resources Manager
#8 Human Resources Manager
Overall Score: 79 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human aspect of the business. They generally oversee compensation and benefits, training and development, and the performance review process … learn more
Median Salary: $104,440 | Salary Span: $125,900
Job Outlook: 9% | # of New Jobs: 10,800
Financial Analyst
#9 Financial Analyst
Overall Score: 79 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Financial analysts use complex software systems to analyze data, spot trends, and offer forecasting reports and predictions. They help a company stay on top of any financial issues before they escalate … learn more
Median Salary: $80,310 | Salary Span: $111,310
Job Outlook: 12% | # of New Jobs: 32,300
Sales Manager
#10 Sales Manager
Overall Score: 78 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Sales managers guide a team of sales employees and are responsible for meeting established sales quotas and expectations. They provide reports to upper management and assist with setting realistic goals … learn more
Median Salary: $113,860 | Salary Span: $132,710
Job Outlook: 5% | # of New Jobs: 19,000
Construction Manager
#11 Construction Manager
Overall Score: 78 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Construction managers oversee all logistics for a construction project. They are typically on site for the duration of the project and are responsible for making sure the project finishes on time … learn more
Median Salary: $87,400 | Salary Span: $102,850
Job Outlook: 5% | # of New Jobs: 17,800
Administrative Services Manager
#12 Administrative Services Manager
Overall Score: 77 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Administrative services managers coordinate all support efforts for an office or organization. They ensure all paperwork is done in a timely manner and in compliance with all required regulations … learn more
Median Salary: $86,110 | Salary Span: $107,140
Job Outlook: 8% | # of New Jobs: 23,500
Actuary
#13 Actuary
Overall Score: 76 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
An actuary is a business professional who deals with the measurement and management of risk. They will use advanced mathematical and economic equations to consult businesses on risks associated with decisions or investments … learn more
Median Salary: $97,070 | Salary Span: $122,210
Job Outlook: 18% | # of New Jobs: 4,400
Accountant
#14 Accountant
Overall Score: 75 | Typical Education:Bachelor’s
Accountants are a critical part of any organization. The ensure all revenues and expenditures are recorded and tracked keeping an organization on budget and in safe keeping in the event of an audit … learn more
Median Salary: $67,190 | Salary Span: $77,530
Job Outlook: 11% | # of New Jobs: 142,400
Statistician
#15 Statistician
Overall Score: 72 | Typical Education: Master’s
Statisticians use statistical analysis to help solve problems in both the private and public sectors. Their findings can be used to generate new approaches to business … learn more
Median Salary: $80,110 | Salary Span: $85,730
Job Outlook: 34% | # of New Jobs: 10,100
Logistician
#16 Logistician
Overall Score: 70 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Logisticians are generally associated with supply chain management. They ensure that the logistics of production are as efficient and cost-effective as possible … learn more
Median Salary: $74,260 | Salary Span: $70,130
Job Outlook: 2% | # of New Jobs: 130,400
Market Research Analyst
#17 Market Research Analyst
Overall Score: 70 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Market research analysts have exceptional research skills and create research tools to gather information and offer recommendations to a company. They ensure the company stays relevant in a competitive market … learn more
Median Salary: $62,150 | Salary Span: $56,930
Job Outlook: 19% | # of New Jobs: 92,300
Loan Officer
#18 Loan Officer
Overall Score: 69 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Loan officers evaluate the financial credibility of loan candidates and ultimately offer recommendations on approval. They’re responsible for protecting the loaning institution from any risky business … learn more
Median Salary: $63,430 | Salary Span: $97,760
Job Outlook: 8% | # of New Jobs: 24,500
Cost Estimator
#19 Cost Estimator
Overall Score: 64 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Cost estimators analyze costs associated with a campaign, product release or other business projects. They help organizations determine the financial feasibility of ideas … learn more
Median Salary: $60,390 | Salary Span: $65,850
Job Outlook: 9% | # of New Jobs: 18,700
Financial Examiner
#20 Financial Examiner
Overall Score: 63 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Financial examiners ensure compliance with laws regarding financial transactions. They ensure the market is fair and equitable through investigations … learn more
Median Salary: $78,010 | Salary Span: $103,850
Job Outlook: 10% | # of New Jobs: 3,700
