Business Administration Salary in the United States

Businesses come in all shapes and sizes. From entrepreneurial startups and major corporations to government establishments and non-profits, there is an evident and unavoidable need for professionals with a business degree. Having a business degree is a significant boost to one’s career prospects for the very reason that it is relevant in almost every sector of commerce and industry.

So naturally, it becomes pertinent to talk about the financial benefits that accompany a job based on a business degree. But before we talk about Business Administration and Management salary in the U.S., let’s take a look at what Business Administration is and the degrees and programs in the field of Business Administration. Then, finally, we will shed light on the Business Administration jobs salary.

What is Business Administration?

In the simplest terms, Business Administration means managing an organization’s time, resources, and people. Business Administration professionals’ job is to ensure that businesses run efficiently, effectively, and productively. Hence, working in Business Administration requires knowledge of the concerned discipline and soft skills such as good communication and interpersonal skills. Apart from the soft skills, business administrators must have a fundamental understanding of finance, accounting, human resources, marketing, and IT. However, business administrators usually specialize in a specific area.

Business Administration Degrees and Programs 

A degree in Business Administration is one of the most sought-after credentials among undergraduates and postgraduates alike. With a degree in Business Administration, individuals can launch their careers in almost any industry and take home an attractive salary package. 

So, let’s take a quick look at the different Business Administration degrees and programs you can pursue:

1. Associate’s Degree in Business Administration

An Associate’s degree in Business Administration is ideal for those who want to begin their career in the business world and professionals who wish to advance their careers. The Associate’s degree can also be a great option before pursuing a Bachelor’s. Mostly career-oriented, it mainly focuses on management, accounting, and software applications. It equips students with the skills and industry knowledge required to land an entry-level job in a specialized field.

2. Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration

A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration qualifies individuals for critical job roles across industries, such as business analyst, operations manager, human resources generalist, marketing specialist, etc. The Bachelor’s degree courses mainly focus on interpersonal skills, critical-thinking capabilities, business management principles, and core business subjects such as finance, accounting, marketing, and information technology.

3. Master’s Degree in Business Administration

A Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) opens up a treasure trove of management roles for graduates. MBA degree programs qualify individuals for various professional opportunities, from executive directors and corporate controllers to business owners and independent consultants. Typically, an MBA program has a course duration of two years.

4. Doctor of Business Administration

A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is the ultimate higher education degree in business. A DBA qualifies individuals for leadership, consulting, and teaching positions in the corporate and academic sectors. It focuses on research and analytical methods and core management subjects, building on the knowledge and expertise acquired through Master’s level studies. Consequently, Doctor of Business Administration salary will inevitably be higher.

Factors Affecting Business Administration Jobs Salary

A degree in Business Administration is a versatile credential. It covers a wide range of disciplines from general Business Administration, finance, and accounting to marketing, human resources, and international business. The curriculum aligns with real-world business scenarios and enables students to plan strategically master financial principles, and create value for the organization.

Business Administration jobs salary mainly depends on the following factors:

• Location
• Experience
• Skill
• Employer
• Scope of the job

Business Administration Jobs Salary

The average salary for a business administrator in the U.S. is US$ 55,943 per year. 

Salary Distribution	Pay
Base Salary	US$ 36,000 – US$ 96,000
Bonus	US$ 202 – US$ 10,000
Profit-sharing	US$ 256 – US$ 20,000
Commission	US$ 2,000 – US$ 38,000
Total Pay	US$ 33,000 – 88,000

Source: Payscale

Business Administration Jobs Salary By Location

Business Administration job salaries in the United States will differ with cities. Here is a list of the top five cities and the salary a business administrator can expect:

City	Average Salary (per year)
Houston, TX	US$ 58,234
New Yor, NY	US$ 53,106
Seattle, WA	US$ 75,000
Chicago, IL	US$ 61,281
Los Angeles, CA	US$ 70,638

Source: Payscale

Business Administration Jobs Salary By Experience

Based on work experience, the salary of a business administrator will differ as follows:

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Average Salary (per year)
Entry-level	Less than one year	US$ 49,991
Early-career	1-4 years	US$ 51,347
Mid-career	5-9 years	US$ 58,504
Experienced	10-19 years	US$ 61,636
Late-career	Over 20 years	US$ 64,076

Source: Payscale

Business Administration Jobs Salary By Skill

While several skills are popular among business administrators, we have listed below the most relevant and in-demand skills and their impact on the salary of a business administrator:

Skill	Average Salary (per year)
SQL	US$ 97,000
Operations Management	US$ 60,989
Office Management	US$ 58,158
Accounting	US$ 57,152
Microsoft Excel	US$ 52,946

Source: Payscale

Business Administration Jobs Salary By Scope of Job

Like we said previously, a degree in Business Administration qualifies an individual for several job titles. Check out these popular ones and the salaries they fetch in the United States:

Job Title	Average Salary (per year)
Financial Controller	US$ 85,582
Project Manager (General/Unspecified Type)	US$ 75,062
Operations Manager	US$ 66,848
Executive Assistant	US$ 57,259
Accountant	US$ 51,927

Source: Payscale

Doctor of Business Administration Salary

A Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Business Administration is the highest academic credential in the field. It not only prepares an individual for efficient leadership and management but also increases the scope of landing a secure job with hefty pay. 

On average, a professional with a Doctorate in Business Administration can expect to draw an annual salary of US$ 102,000 in the U.S.

The following table categorizes some of the job titles that a Ph.D. holder is qualified for and the corresponding average annual salary they can expect:

Job Title	Average Salary (per year)	Job Title	Average Salary (per year)
Executive Director	US$ 80,523	IT Specialist	US$ 58,190
Finance Director	US$ 113,905	Institutional Research Specialist	US$ 53,690
HR Manager	US$ 68,766	President	US$ 150,860
Admissions Director (University/College)	US$ 69,860	Procurement Agent	US$ 60,149
Project Manager (IT)	US$ 88,883	Professor (Higher Education)	US$ 88,484
Project Manager (General/Unspecified)	US$ 75,062	Chief Financial Officer (CFO)	US$ 137,123
Senior Project Manager (General/Unspecified)	US$ 93,518	Training and Development Manager	US$ 77,615
HR Director	US$ 89,624	Business Development Manager	US$ 74,494
IT Director	US$ 121,987	Financial Analyst	US$ 61,988

 

Further Your Learning Journey With upGrad

If you’re looking for an online course on MBA or DBA, upGrad’s Master of Business Administration from Liverpool Business School and Doctor of Business Administration from Swiss School of Business Management is your best call.

upGrad is a leading name in the online higher education industry. With an effective combination of the latest technology, services, and educational practices, every course and program offered at upGrad is tailor-made to meet the professional requirements of learners. The much sought-after learning platform has a global paid learner base of over 40,000 spread across more than 85 countries. Its immersive learning experience has impacted more than 500,000 working professionals worldwide and continues to deliver education par excellence.

Course Highlights of the Master of Business Administration from Liverpool Business School (18 months):

• MBA degree from the prestigious Liverpool Business School
• Associate alumni status from IMT Ghaziabad
• Industry-relevant curriculum with six specializations
• One week immersion program at the university campus
• One-on-one mentorship from industry leaders
• Peer learning and networking with managers and business leaders
• 360-degree career assistance

Course Highlights of the Global Doctor of Business Administration from Swiss School of Business Management (36 months):

• Global Doctor of Business Administration from SSBM Geneva
• Limitless avenues for research
• Dissertation in the chosen specialization
• International networking opportunities
• International academic support
• One-on-one thesis supervision
• Designed for working professionals

Final Thoughts

Getting a business degree is worthwhile for all the good reasons. The market demand is high, there is a competitive earning potential, business-related jobs are sufficiently flexible, the degree is versatile and opens up many career avenues, and finally, the networking opportunities are transformative for the individual’s professional growth. Of course, there are limitations, but the high points simply outweigh the minor cons. If you have to differentiate yourself from the crowd and prove your credibility, a business degree is a must.

So, if you are all set to take the next step towards earning a Business Administration degree, why not choose upGrad? Then, go ahead and explore all the exciting career opportunities upGrad has to offer!