Many of the highest paying jobs in business are the C-suite positions like Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and many more. These are positions requiring years of experience and professional success, typically not available to graduates of an undergraduate degree program (or even a graduate degree, without the requisite experience in the field).
You will have to set realistic expectations for entry-level wages after graduation. According to the NACE 2026 Salary Survey, bachelor’s degree graduates in business are projected to earn an average of $68,873 per year after graduation. Master’s degree graduates are projected to earn $86,563 annually.
However, you don’t need to become an executive or run your own business to make a potentially excellent salary as your career progresses.
Here’s a sample of some common occupations in business and the latest average salary estimates nationwide from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):*
| Occupation | Avg. Hourly Salary | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Financial Advisors | $77.02 | $160,210 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $56.01 | $116,490 |
| Management Analysts | $55.15 | $114,710 |
| Project Management Specialists | $51.97 | $108,100 |
| Financial Examiners | $49.83 | $103,650 |
| Labor Relations Specialists | $46.70 | $97,130 |
| Budget Analysts | $45.15 | $93,920 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $44.96 | $93,520 |
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* BLS pay estimates calculate the median annual wage for various occupations. Per the BLS the median wage for an occupation is: "The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey." Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024. BLS median wage estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geographic market in which you want to work, and degree level and field, will affect career outcomes, including starting salary and earnings as an experienced employee. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the median salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, particular wage or salary, or other career growth.
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