What is a business administration degree? A bachelor's in business administration trains you in data analysis, management, and organizational behavior to build your competency around business principles and practices. 

The degree builds strong analytical and decision-making skills that can serve you in many fields. You can specialize in areas like general management, accounting, supply chain management, and healthcare management.

Many business occupations show strong growth projections for 2020-30, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 

Quick look at bachelor's in business administration degrees

Average time to degree	Four years
Average salary	$69,000/year (Payscale, March 2022)
Possible post-graduation industries	Any/all
Possible post-graduation careers	Marketing Human resources Accounting Management Consulting
Related degrees	Business administration associate degree Master of business administration (MBA) Doctorate in business administration

How much money can you make with a business administration degree?

The average business administration degree salary was$69,000 per year in March 2022, according to PayScale. Many business administration degree jobs pay higher salaries. For example, the BLS reports a median annual wage of nearly$110,000 for management occupations.

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Business administration majors work as financial analysts, market research analysts, accountants, and management consultants. These careers offer above-average salaries and career advancement opportunities. 

For example, financial analysts earn a median salary of$88,660 per year, while financial managers make a median salary of over$134,000 per year. That's well over double 2020's median annual wage,$41,950.

Earning a business administration degree online prepares you for many entry level business administration jobs. As a business professional, you may increase your earning potential with experience, a graduate degree, or professional certifications.  

What jobs can you get with a business administration degree?

A business administration degree prepares graduates for jobs in marketing, human resources, accounting, and management. 

Different jobs set different educational and experience requirements. Many business administration degree jobs offer high salaries and strong projected job growth.

General or operations manager

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• Minimum degree required:Bachelor's
• 2020 median salary:$107,680 
• Projected job growth (2020-30):8%
• Related job titles:Business manager, operations director, store manager

Important qualities: 

• Leadership
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• The ability to convey information to different stakeholders
• Strong problem-solving abilities

General and operations managers oversee offices, stories, and other facilities. They set policies that align with the organization's values and assess progress toward long-term goals. General and operations managers also create schedules, review budgets, and oversee daily operations. Some employers prefer candidates who've attended an in-person or online MBA program.

Accountant or auditor

• Minimum degree required:Bachelor's
• 2020 median salary:$73,560
• Projected job growth (2020-30):7%
• Related job titles:Accounting officer, certified public accountant, internal auditor

Important qualities: 

• Detail-oriented outlook
• Strong math and analytical skills
• The ability to organize complex documents

Accountants and auditors prepare and review financial documents. They prepare taxes for businesses and individuals, identify financial fraud, and evaluate the economic value of a business. A bachelor's degree meets the minimum requirement for many accounting and auditing jobs, though CPAs need postgraduate education. 

Industrial production manager

• Minimum degree required:Bachelor's
• 2020 median salary:$108,790
• Projected job growth (2020-30):5%
• Related job titles:Plant manager, manufacturing manager, production control manager

Important qualities: 

• A background in production or manufacturing
• Time management and leadership skills
• The ability to solve problems quickly

Industrial production managers supervise manufacturing plants. They ensure workers follow safety procedures, set long-term goals, and manage daily operations. Industrial production managers also implement procedures to streamline production. The career requires five or more years experience in industrial production.

Human resources manager

• Minimum degree required:Bachelor's
• 2020 median salary:$121,220
• Projected job growth (2020-30):9%
• Related job titles:Recruiting manager, compensation and benefits manager, training manager

Important qualities: 

• Strong decision-making and organizational skills
• The ability to coordinate and collaborate
• Prior leadership or management experience

Human resources managers oversee the staff who administer an organization's benefits and manage the hiring and training process. They recruit staff, research competitive benefits packages, and resolve employment disputes. Most human resources managers hold a bachelor's degree and bring experience as a human resources specialist.

Management analyst

• Minimum degree required:Bachelor's
• 2020 median salary:$87,660
• Projected job growth (2020-30):14%
• Related job titles:Management consultant, business analyst, business process analyst

Important qualities: 

• Strong leadership and organizational skills
• The ability to collaborate and work on a team
• Analytical thinking
• Prior business training

Management analysts research an organization's processes to recommend improvements. They help managers increase profits by eliminating inefficiencies. Management analysts also advise organizations on better procedures. Most roles require less than five years of experience.

This article was reviewed by Krystal Covington, MBA 

Krystal Covington, MBA, is a business growth strategist with 15 years of experience in marketing and public relations. Her company, Go Lead Consulting, provides clients foundational tools to build new client and customer relationships. 

Covington founded Women of Denver, one of the largest privately held membership organizations in Denver, Colorado. Her program helps women increase their business acumen, sharpen leadership skills and connect with other high-achieving women. Covington received her MBA from Western Governors University in 2012.

Krystal Covington is a paid member of the Red Ventures Education freelance review network. 

Last reviewed Oct. 12, 2021.

Unless otherwise noted, salary and projected growth data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of March 22, 2022. 

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