Business Degree Salary 2025: What to Expect and How to Increase Your Earnings

A business degree can unlock diverse career opportunities in today’s competitive corporate world. Employers across industries highly seek qualifications like a BBA or MBA for their emphasis on leadership, strategic thinking, and management expertise. 

In 2024, Indian business administration graduates have an impressive employability rate of 71%. With market demand continuing to grow, companies are actively looking for skilled professionals who can solve complex challenges and contribute to their success.

Curious about what a business degree can earn you in 2025? In this blog, we’ll break down potential salary packages and share smart strategies to help you maximize your earnings in an evolving job market. Let’s get started on boosting your career prospects!

What is the Average Business Degree Salary?

First, let's have a look at the average salary you can expect after getting a business degree and the factors that determine the salary figure. 

Overview of Average Salary

In India, a business degree opens up opportunities in a wide range of fields, from finance and marketing to human resources and management. The average business degree salary in India varies depending on the specific field of study, industry, and level of experience. 

According to recent data, the median annual salary for business degree holders in India is approximately ₹7.5L. When compared to the national median wage for all bachelor's degree holders, which is around ₹4.5L, business degree holders earn significantly higher. 

Here's a breakdown of average salaries for various business-related fields:

Source: Glassdoor

Also Read: Career Options After MBA in Marketing: Highest Paying Management Jobs

Now, let's have a look at some of the factors that can influence your business degree salary.

What Factors Influence the Business Degree Salary?

While a business degree provides a strong foundation, several factors can influence your earning potential beyond just having the degree. The specialization or major you choose, the specific occupation you pursue, and the location of your job can determine your final salary.

• Major or Specialization: Different business majors, such as business finance, marketing, or management, come with varying salary expectations. Roles in finance and management typically offer higher salaries than those in general business administration.
• Occupation: The specific job you hold within the business sector also affects your earnings. Positions in leadership, finance, or consulting often offer higher pay than administrative roles.
• Location: Salaries can vary greatly depending on the city. Metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Pune, and Hyderabad often offer higher wages compared to other cities.
• School Reputation: Graduating from a top-tier business school or university can provide access to better job opportunities and higher starting salaries. Prestigious institutions are known for their networking opportunities, which can help graduates secure higher-paying positions.
• Experience and Job Level: Entry-level positions will have lower salaries compared to mid-career or senior-level roles. The more experience and responsibility you take on, the higher your business degree salary potential.

Let's now see what are the average salaries you can expect for specific business major degrees.

Also Read: Top 10 MBA Specializations in Demand for 2025

Let's now see what are the average salaries you can expect for specific business major degrees.

Also Read: Top 10 MBA Specializations in Demand for 2025

What is the Average Business Degree Salary by Major? 

A business degree not only opens doors to a variety of roles but also provides higher salary potential compared to other educational qualifications. With an increasing emphasis on corporate growth, entrepreneurship, and globalization, business degrees are highly valued in a variety of industries, from technology to finance.

Overview of Common Business Majors

Business degrees cover a wide array of specializations, each suited to different industries and career paths. Here are some of the most common majors and the roles they prepare graduates for:

• Management: Focuses on leadership, organizational behaviour, and strategic decision-making. Graduates typically take on roles such as operations manager, project manager, or HR manager.
• Accounting: Involves financial reporting, taxation, and auditing. Chartered Accountants and tax consultants are common roles for accounting graduates.
• Marketing: Concentrates on market research, advertising, and sales strategies. Marketing professionals are key to driving brand recognition, customer acquisition, and market penetration.
• Finance: Covers financial analysis, investment management, and corporate finance. Roles in this field include investment banker, financial analyst, and credit manager.
• Management Information Systems (MIS): Combines business management with IT skills. MIS graduates work as business analysts, system analysts, or IT consultants to integrate technology with business strategies.
• Actuarial Science: Focuses on risk management and statistics. Actuaries primarily work in the insurance and financial sectors, where they assess and predict financial risk.

The next section offers a look at the starting salaries for various business degree jobs by major. 

Also Read: Understanding Health Management Information Systems: Its Utility and Significance

What are the Starting Salaries of Business Degree Jobs by Major?

The starting business degree salary in India can vary significantly based on the major they pursued. Here's a look at the average starting salaries for various business majors:

Source: Glassdoor

You can now delve into the potential business degree salaries you can expect by occupation. 

Also Read: Top 15 Highest Paying Jobs in Finance in India [A Complete Report]

What is the Business Degree Salary by Occupation?

In India, many business-focused roles are accessible not only through obtaining a relevant business degree but also with relevant work experience. Professionals can move into high-paying positions even without a formal degree as long as they possess the right skills, experience, and industry knowledge. 

Let's take a closer look at various business occupations, their salary expectations, and their job growth projections.

Overview of Job Roles

Business degree holders can pursue a wide variety of roles, each with different responsibilities and salary expectations. Here are some common career paths:

• Financial Manager: Responsible for overseeing financial health, preparing financial reports, and developing strategies to optimize profits. Financial managers are often in demand in industries like banking, insurance, and corporate finance.
• Management Analyst: These professionals assess business practices and suggest improvements. They often work as consultants or internal analysts within large corporations, helping streamline operations and increase efficiency.
• Accountant: Accountants manage financial records, ensure compliance with tax laws, and prepare statements for businesses. Chartered Accountants (CAs) and other certified accountants typically earn more due to their qualifications.
• Marketing Manager: Marketing professionals strategize and oversee campaigns to promote a company's products or services. This role includes market research, brand management, and digital marketing in some cases.
• Human Resources (HR) Manager: HR professionals handle recruitment, employee relations, and training, ensuring that businesses have the talent they need to grow and succeed.

Want to learn about the fundamentals of business analytics? Then check out the course on Business Analytics Fundamentals.

Now, let's take a look at the average annual salaries for key business job roles. 

Salary Comparison

Salaries for business degree holders in India vary significantly by occupation. Below is an overview of average annual salaries for key business roles, compared to the national median wage for all bachelor's degree holders in India.

Source: Glassdoor

Next, you can learn about the growth projections for different business roles. 

Growth Projections

The future looks promising for business professionals, with many business degree jobs projected to grow at a healthy pace. Here's an overview of job growth projections for these occupations:

• Financial Manager: Expected to grow at a 6-8% rate over the next decade, driven by the increasing demand for financial analysis and risk management in a globalized economy.
• Management Analyst: Anticipated growth of 10-12% due to businesses continually seeking ways to improve efficiency and cut costs.
• Accountant: With the rise in tax compliance regulations and the growing complexity of financial transactions, accounting jobs are projected to grow by 7-9%.
• Marketing Manager: The shift towards digital marketing and brand management is expected to drive a 5-7% growth in demand for marketing professionals.
• Human Resources Manager: As companies grow and focus on employee welfare, HR roles are expected to grow by 7-9% annually.

Looking to hone your skills at business communication? Then you can enrol for the Business Communication Masterclass.

In the upcoming section, you will learn about how different cities and states offer varying salary packages for the same job role. 

What is the Business Degree Salary by Location? 

Location plays a significant role in determining business degree salary expectations for business degree holders in India. Cities with higher living costs and more industries offer higher salaries for business degree jobs to compensate for the increased expenses of living. 

Let's take a look at state- and city-level salary data to understand how geography influences business degree salaries across India.

State-Level Salary Data

Indian states with strong economic growth, a high concentration of multinational companies, and significant industry demand tend to offer higher salaries for business degree jobs. Major cities in these states, often serving as economic hubs, attract talent and offer competitive business degree salary packages.

Why do certain states offer higher wages?

Economic Factors: States with robust economic development and higher industrial output offer higher salaries for business degree jobs. These states have a concentration of corporate headquarters, financial institutions, and IT hubs.

Industry Demand: States with key industries like technology, finance, consulting, and manufacturing have a stronger demand for skilled professionals, thus paying more for business degree jobs.

Cost of Living: Higher business degree salary in these states are also reflective of their higher cost of living. Cities like Mumbai and Bangalore have significantly higher living costs compared to other regions, leading to increased salary packages for business degree jobs.

Here is a comparison of the average annual business degree salary across various states in India:

Source: Glassdoor

City-Level Salary Data

Salaries for business degree holders in specific cities often reflect the economic opportunities available in that region. Below is a breakdown of business degree salary trends in India's top cities:

Source: Glassdoor

Learn how to communicate effectively in a business setting with the Effective Business Communication course.

Let's now have a look at some of the factors that can lead to salary growth in business degree roles. 

How Much is the Business Degree Salary Growth? 

Graduates with a bachelor's degree in business typically start with moderate salaries for business degree jobs. As they gain work experience and pursue advanced degrees like an MBA, they become eligible for substantial business degree salary growth. 

Salary growth is especially notable in sectors like finance, management, consulting, and marketing, where leadership roles demand higher skill levels and advanced education. 

Salary Comparison with Advanced Degrees

Comparing salaries for those with bachelor's degrees versus master's degrees clearly shows the increase in salaries with higher education. MBA Graduates and those with Master's in Management see a notable increase in starting salaries for their enhanced skills and higher-value roles.

Here's a comparison of the median starting salaries for business degree holders based on their level of education:

The increase in salary is not just due to the degree but also due to the career opportunities that open up as you advance. An advanced business degree offers more scope for long-term career growth along with excellent earning potential. 

Get acquainted with the dynamics of the international business environment with the Introduction to International Business Environment course. 

Getting a business degree is an important stepping stone to your future career success. Find out how upGrad can help you with that. 

How Can upGrad Help You Get a Higher Business Degree Salary?

Studying for a business degree can help you to develop the leadership and analytical skills you need to succeed in the fast-paced business world. upGrad offers a wide range of business courses that you can enrol with. This will help you to find jobs that offer excellent salary packages, with great potential for growth and job satisfaction. 

Here are some of the popular business degree courses you’ll find with upGrad. 

• Professional Certificate Program in Business Analytics & Consulting in association with PwC India
• MBA in Business and Law from O.P.Jindal Global University
• Introduction to Business Analytics
• MBA from O.P. Jindal Global University
• MBA from O.P. Jindal Global University-Career Acceleration Program

You can also learn more about business analytics by enrolling with the Business Analytics Certification Programme.