2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING BEST HIGHEST PAYING BUSINESS JOBS
2017 Guide: The Best Business Jobs to Create Fulfilling Careers in Business
Educationally speaking, careers in business have been one of the most popular vocational choices over the past decade, accounting for one-third of all bachelor’s degrees in the U.S.
This popularity comes with good reason, as employers place a high premium on business applicants. In 2016, the National Association of Colleges and Employers ranked a business degree as the fourth most valuable bachelor’s degree.
While a career should be fulfilling and challenging, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a higher income, too. Just as with any career, business jobs should be approached with a keen understanding of expected salary and long-term success.
Award Emblem: Top 6 Best Business Jobs
As a result, the best business jobs often coincide with the highest paying business jobs.
Our review will take a close look at various jobs in business, analyzing statistics and reports from career experts to highlight the top paying business jobs to consider in 2017.
In doing so, our goal is to highlight the best business jobs that produce the greatest opportunities. While CEO and CFO positions are ultimately the top paying business jobs, our review will look at jobs in business that create career paths toward these highest paid business jobs.
While these jobs are certainly listed among the highest paying business jobs, they are also considered top business jobs for factors outside of salary, like growth potential, stability, and personal fulfillment.
Ultimately, each of these jobs has demonstrated value within finances and career growth, making these great careers in business to consider.
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AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Top 6 Best Business Jobs
List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the job names below to go directly to the detailed review section for that job):
Top 6 Best Careers in Business | Brief Comparison & Ranking
Best Careers in Business | 75th Percentile Salary | Median Salary | Projected 10-year Growth |
| Actuary | $136,110 | $96,700 | 18% |
| Business Operations Manager | $149,660 | $97,270 | 7% |
| Financial Advisor | $139,350 | $81,060 | 30% |
| Financial Manager | $159,230 | $115,320 | 7% |
| Mathematician | $127,900 | $103,720 | 21% |
| Statistician | $104,910 | $79,990 | 34% |
Table: Top 6 Best Business Jobs | Above list is sorted alphabetically
FAME: Why Business Jobs Are Booming
For those already in business-related jobs, the acronym “FAME” will be familiar. FAME stands for Finance, Accounting, Management, and Economics. This acronym is commonly used to describe the core components of jobs in business, encompassing the most popular divisions within business jobs.
While these four sectors are certainly important in the business world, it may be surprising to learn that many of the best business jobs come from a more diverse range of occupations. Many careers in business include marketing, advertising, retail, sales, human resources, and consultation.
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This is because the divisions of FAME touch upon the core components of a successful workplace, including careers in business. Degrees in business — and careers in business — provide key transferable skills, including:
- Problem solving
- Working with groups
- Decision making
- Logical, analytical, & critical thinking
- Self-motivation & time management
- Excellent communication skills
- An understanding of economic factors
- Project management
In today’s workforce, even jobs that are not labeled as careers in business will require these types of skills. This makes business knowledge one of the most valuable and sought-after traits, both inside and outside of the highest paying business jobs.
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Detailed Review – Top Ranking Best Business Jobs
Below, please find a detailed review of each job on our list of highest paying business jobs. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these careers in business to score so highly in our selection ranking.
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Actuary Review
With a projected growth rate of 18% through 2024, actuaries constitute one of the most rapidly-growing careers in business. Additionally, with a median salary coming in at $96,700, actuaries have some of the highest paying jobs in business.
This is an incredibly positive outlook, so those who are looking for top business jobs may want to consider becoming an actuary.
Job Overview
An actuary applies mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to calculate and manage levels of financial risk.
Actuaries occupy a unique space among careers in business, as they employ business techniques along with mathematical skills. As such, many math majors decide to become actuaries, rather than follow the traditional career path of teaching.
While actuaries have traditionally been used within the insurance industry, the mathematical and analytical skills associated with this work are increasingly in demand among business-related jobs.
Hiring Requirements
Because actuaries are constantly dealing with facts, figures, and mathematical equations, a solid foundation of mathematical knowledge is required for these top business jobs.
Most companies do not require a specific degree in statistics, mathematics, or actuary science, though it certainly helps.
Some companies are willing to hire trainees and allow them to work while studying for certification exams, making this one of the best jobs in business for recent graduates.
Why It Is Ranked Among the Best Careers in Business
Not only do they provide some of the highest paying business jobs, but actuaries are becoming increasingly versatile. Becoming an actuary provides ample opportunities to work within insurance, pension and retirement planning, local or federal government, or in enterprise risk roles.
With strong projected growth, high salary levels, and transferable skills across different careers in business, an actuary is one of the best jobs in business to consider.
Business Operations Manager Review
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that demand for business operations managers will increase 7% by 2024. This is due to a massive influx of new businesses, creating an estimated 151,100 new business jobs.
Even better, business operations managers constitute some of the highest paying business jobs. With the 75th percentile coming in at $149,660 annually, this is one of the top-paying business jobs to consider.
Image Source: Pixabay
Job Overview
As far as jobs in business go, a business operations manager has one of the most involved day-to-day schedules. They manage hiring, negotiate contracts, address budget issues, provide guidance for projects, and embody a general understanding of business needs and daily operations.
One business operations manager, Eric Schaudt, describes the role as “the heart of most companies, because the operations department actually gets the job that the company needs to get done, done.”
Hiring Requirements
Most top paying business jobs in this field require either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree centered around business administration. Experience is key for these jobs in business, and can often facilitate quick upward mobility.
Ultimately, having strong communication skills and the ability to make quick, well-informed decisions are the most important job requirements.
Why It Is Ranked Among the Best Careers in Business
For those searching for the highest paying business jobs, a business operations manager may be the perfect fit. With a median income of $97,270 and plenty of upward mobility, it’s hard to deny that this salary constitutes one of the highest paid business jobs.
In terms of upward mobility and stress level, U.S News & World Report ranked this position as having an above average job satisfaction, making it one of the best careers in business to consider for long-term work.
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Financial Advisor Review
Financial advisors are relatively new additions to jobs in business. Several decades ago, they may have been called stock brokers or community bankers, but as the financial environment changes, business-related jobs have also changed.
Today, a financial advisor is poised to generate anywhere between $81,060-$139, 350 annually, making it one of the best-paying business jobs available.
Job Overview
A financial advisor partners with clients to create a list of financial goals and provide manageable, actionable steps to achieve them.
This could cover a wide range of financial problem-solving, including saving for college tuition, investing retirement funds, or creating a budget.
Part of this process requires explaining financial concepts to clients and teaching them how to create comfortable financial futures. Thus, compared to other jobs in business, this is one of the most personable business-related jobs, as it often involves one-on-one discussions with clients.
Hiring Requirements
Financial expertise is a must for financial advisors, though the numbers are only a small part of the equation. This best business job requires using mental and emotional skills along with financial expertise. In fact, some firms even look for psychology majors when hiring for these positions.
Financial planner Eric Schaefer explains this dynamic:
“My colleagues and I agree that 80 percent of our job is psychology, and only 20 percent is financial…the ability to understand core concerns and goals of a client or prospective client is much more valuable.”
Ultimately, while a business degree is a great start for financial advisors, being personable, understanding, and willing to listen are essential qualifiers for these types of jobs in business.
Why It Is Ranked Among the Best Careers in Business
A financial advisor occupies a unique space among the best jobs in business, making it a dynamic position.
Combining financial expertise with good listening and guidance skills brings elements of teaching and counseling, making it a best business job for personable, empathetic people.
With a median salary of $81,060, this is one of the highest paying jobs in business, one which is projected to experience exponential growth. As the Baby Boomer generation retires, the need for financial advisors is estimated to increase by a whopping 30%.
For those looking for a growing, rewarding, and financially-beneficial career, this is one of the best business jobs to consider.
Financial Manager Review
Financial managers may have steep competition, but they also have some of the highest paying business jobs. Not only do financial managers have some of the highest paid business jobs, but they also have a wealth of opportunity for upward mobility and advancement.
Job Overview
Most financial managers are employed at large-scale companies and agencies to maintain financial details. This could include managing various accounting departments, creating financial statements, profit projections, and cash-flow statements.
Although it is one of the best paying business jobs, it can also be a complicated one. Financial managers are required not only to manage money, but also to manage a team of people.
They will also need to dilute complicated financial reports into easily-understood terms, which necessitates efficient communication skills.
Hiring Requirements
Most requirements begin with a bachelor’s degree and continue to include various certifications, training, and licensures. These can involve all levels of business, finances, economics, and management courses.
Why It Is Ranked Among the Best Careers in Business
With a median salary of $115,320, this is one of the highest paying jobs in business. What truly makes it one of the best business jobs is that it offers a diverse range of upward mobility.
For those who are reaching for the absolute highest paying business jobs, this is the one of the best jobs in business to pursue. Common career paths include Chief Financial Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Vice President of Finance, and Executive Director, to name a few.
That said, even staying at a basic financial management level can be lucrative. Despite its competitive nature, growth is projected at 7%, making this one of the best business jobs overall.
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Mathematician Review
It may seem surprising to see a mathematician among the best business jobs, since many mathematicians choose to pursue teaching rather than business jobs.
For those who choose to pursue careers in business instead, a mathematician is a highly-sought after role, and is one of the best paying business jobs out there.
Job Overview
In a business setting, the role of a mathematician may fluctuate. These jobs in business tend to be incredibly varied, ranging between public and private sectors. For some businesses, a mathematician may also be called a financial analyst or a systems analyst.
The job of a mathematician may include conducting research to explore certain trends or theories, using formulas and models to prove or dispute data, and using these theories to solve everyday business challenges.
Hiring Requirements
Mathematician requirements will change from one company to the next, but a master’s degree is the ideal qualification. For research positions, a doctorate may be necessary.
Ultimately, a mathematician becomes one of the highest paying business jobs when paired with a supporting skill, like computer science.
Why It Is Ranked Among the Best Careers in Business
With continual technological advancement, there is an incredible need for mathematicians. More than ever, businesses are taking their operations online and to social media, increasing digitally-stored data.
Since a mathematician has the skillset to analyze and secure digital data, it is the best business job to align with emerging technology.
In fact, the growth of this career is projected to reach 21%, making for a total of 700 available mathematician positions.
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Statistician Review
U.S. News & World Report awarded being a statistician as the number one job out of twenty-five careers in business, largely based upon need and potential growth.
As a promising career path with projected growth, statisticians have some of the highest paying business jobs currently on the market.
Job Overview
The science of statistics involves using data to answer a series of questions. Statisticians collect, interpret, and analyze data across an endless range of topics. When applied toward jobs in business, statisticians can provide invaluable insight into past, present, and future company trends.
Projected fields for statisticians to encounter include biomedical, computer, environmental, social, and genetic sciences.
Hiring Requirements
As one of the highest paying business jobs, becoming a statistician requires a substantial amount of education. A bachelor’s degree is necessary, though having a master’s degree is preferred. To conduct research, however, a Ph.D. is typically required.
Why It Is Ranked Among the Best Careers in Business
Statisticians not only have top paying business jobs, but they also have incredibly versatile skills. Companies, organizations, and businesses across all genres can benefit from employing a statistician, particularly as the dependence upon digital data increases.
In fact, this is the fastest-growing occupation on our list of the best business jobs. The demand for statisticians is projected to grow by an incredible 34%, creating 10,100 new positions.
Thus, not only is this one of the highest paying business jobs, but it is also one of the most sustainable business jobs over the long-term.
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Conclusion – Top 6 Best Business Jobs
Image Source: Pixabay
While the cost of higher education may continue to increase, the value of a college degree has remained the same. Statistics show that a worker typically earns 67.7% more with a bachelor’s degree than with a high school diploma.
As trends continue to lean heavily toward the worth of business degrees, recent graduates and current students alike should have a keen awareness of what the highest paying business jobs are.
Aside from financial security, these jobs in business also offer high levels of satisfaction and longevity, all key components in cultivating a successful career.
Ultimately, finding the best business jobs comes down to aligning individual interests and passions with satisfying, profitable careers in business.
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