Attending college to earn a business degree can be a lot of fun, but you also want to know what your earning potential will be when you finish college. Luckily almost all business schools will allow you to obtain a job in a profession that will earn a good salary while helping you to improve your life and further your career. The biggest difference in your business salary will depend upon whether you earn an Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or PhD degree. Prior to completing your degree, it is good to know which field of business you want to focus on and the salaries that correspond so that you will not be surprised when you land your first job out of college. Some, however, may be attending college to advance in their current career. Below we have compiled some example business salaries you could earn based upon which type of degree you earn in business school.
Business Salaries for an Associates Degree in Business Administration
Earning an Associates degree in business administration can typically be completed in two years. Some colleges will allow you to specialize with the Associates degree, but most provide you with a general education in business. This will prepare degree holders with the skills to obtain a job in a wide variety of business professions with a good salary. Below are some examples of starting business salaries you could earn in different careers once you obtain your degree.
Career
Business Salary
Human Resources
$49,790
Retail Manager
$41,905
Executive Assistant
$41,790
Customer Service Representative
$31,910
Administrative Assistant
$29,910
Business Salaries for a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration
A Bachelors degree in business administration is one of the most popular levels a business major earns because it typically takes four years to complete. Earning a Bachelors degree will help graduates find good jobs with solid salaries. It also opens up many more opportunities than an Associates degree because it allows students to specialize in a specific subject area like accounting, marketing, or management. Below we have provided some examples of what you can earn with a Bachelors degree in Business. Keep in mind that attaining the higher business salaries typically coms with a decent amount of relevant experience.
Career
Business Salary
Project Manager, IT
$78,500
Project Manager, Construction
$76,880
Human Resources Director
$72,790
Human Resources Manager
$61,390
Senior Accountant
$51,300
Executive Administrative Assistant
$36,500
Business Salaries for a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA Salaries)
Earning your Masters degree in Business Administration will set you apart from the majority of job seekers and allow you to earn a substantial salary. MBA graduates are in high demand for a variety of well paying jobs with great benefits. The great thing about an MBA degree is that you do not have to have a Bachelors degree in business to obtain one. In fact, many people specialize in something different for their undergraduate work which they then combine with an MBA degree to get an advanced job in their field. We have a sample of MBA salaries for a wide array of jobs you could have when you earn your MBA degree.
Career
MBA Salary
Chief Executive
$151,290
Marketing Manager
$113,375
Health Care
$111,390
Financial Manager
$106,190
General / Operations Manager
$103,810
Nonprofit / Government
$73,200
Business Salaries for a PhD in Business Administration
The majority of people who want to earn a PhD in business only do so to become a professor or work in the world of academia. Almost all high profile business professions only require a Bachelors or MBA degree and significant experience. Business salaries for someone with a PhD can start around $100,000 to $110,000 and go up to $150,000 on the higher end of the spectrum for a seasoned professor.