Top 10 Highest-Paid Jobs in the US in the Commerce Field [2025]

The United States, currently the largest economy in the world according to the latest IMF projections, offers many opportunities for high-paying careers in commerce. 

Some of the top-paying roles in this field include investment banker, chartered accountant, marketing manager, actuary, chief financial officer (CFO), company secretary, and cost accountant.

Commerce-related jobs open up a wide range of career paths. Among countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, the U.S. is considered one of the best places to study and build a successful career in commerce.

In this blog, we’ll explore the top 10 highest-paying commerce jobs in the U.S., explain what each role involves, and highlight their salary potential. Keep reading to discover the most rewarding commerce careers in the U.S. job market.

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List of the Top 10 Highest Paying Commerce Jobs in the U.S

The following section throws light on the top highest paying commerce jobs in the U.S along with their approximate annual salary range as per the latest reports.

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Let’s further explore these high-paying commercial jobs in detail:

1. Investment Banker

An individual in a financial institution responsible for raising corporate and governmental finances, including other entities, is referred to as an Investment banker. With a firm grasp of verbal and non-verbal skills, excellent number-crunching skills, and a capability to work long, grueling hours, one having these skills can land students jobs in commerce.

One can seek a Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting, a BBA in finance, a BA in economics, a BCom, an MBA in finance, or an MBA in digital finance and banking to work as an investment banker. 

The annual salary of an Investment Banker in the U.S is USD 3,63,443 (INR 3Cr).

2. Company or Corporate Secretary

A business professional is responsible for ensuring the integrity and ongoing projects of the company, ensuring the company’s regulatory requirements across the board, and having core knowledge of the company is referred to as a Company Secretary.

Students capable of handling multiple responsibilities, multitasking, and possessing excellent organizational skills can opt for this job as it highlights their talents.

The CS course is available as an Executive and Professional program that enables you to pursue a career in the relevant field. 

The average annual salary of a Corporate Secretary in the U.S. is USD 95000 (INR 81L).

3. Chartered Public Accountants (CPA) 

Accounting professionals who hold a license are given the title of certified public accountant (CPA). Every state’s Board of Accountancy is responsible for issuing CPA licenses. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) offers resources for acquiring the license. The CPA designation supports the accounting industry’s efforts to uphold professional standards. 

A bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or accounting ,and finishing 150 hours of study are prerequisites for becoming a certified public accountant. 

Common positions held by CPAs include those in public accounting, corporate accounting, and senior positions like a controller or chief financial officer (CFO). 

The average annual salary of a CPA in the U.S is USD 91,854 (INR 78.5L).

4. Marketing Manager

The work of a marketing manager is to help brand the company, plan executive campaigns, and communicate the organization’s message to the target audience. A marketing manager’s work includes ensuring the branding and advertisements of the company or organization are done efficiently.

Management and organizational skills, communication skills, and in-depth knowledge of management skills are the grounding bases to land this job. 

The average salary for a Marketing Manager in the U.S is USD 106,908 (INR 91L)

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5. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

This is considered the most reputable of all finance-related jobs. The responsibilities include making sound plans for the stocks and industries to make a profit for the company. Chartered Financial Analyst also provides investment recommendations to individuals, known as portfolios. 

Analytical and computer skills are vital to landing this profile, as most of the work is done using Excel sheets and handling spreadsheets. Commerce stream students have a strong base in mathematics, which helps get this profile on a resume. 

This profile requires a bachelor’s degree, passing the CFA program exams to get this role, and a minimum of four years of experience in a relevant role. 

The annual salary of a Chartered Financial Analyst in the U.S is  USD 80,061 (INR 68L)

6. Actuary

The responsibility of an actuary is to analyze the uncertainty and economic cost risk of the company. For example, they review the data claims by the policyholders to determine the risk and whether it should be resolved. They recommend the amount to be charged, kept, and paid.

The actuaries analyze all these data with their skills in computers, mathematics, and financial theory. 

Maths, BSc in Actuarial Science, MSc in Actuarial Science, and Financial Mathematics and Statistics are a few courses one can take up to pursue a profile as an Actuary. 

The salary per year for an Actuary in the U.S. is USD 198,488 (INR 1.7Cr).

7. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

The CEO is the highest-ranking executive in an organization, supervising all activities in a business organization. The role of a CEO is to implement new plans and policies in the company. 

The CEO is responsible for improving financial growth, supporting and broadening the digital market, and setting a strategy for the future. There are over 38,708 CEOs employed in the US.

A few examples of a CEO are- Timothy Donald Cook, of Apple Inc. since 2011. Elon Reeve Musk FRS, CEO and chief engineer of SpaceX; CEO of Tesla, Inc.; and Twitter. 

The annual average salary of a CEO in the U.S is USD 153516 (INR 1.3Cr)

8. Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

The chief financial officer is a finance professional responsible for handling all aspects of cash flow and tax-related issues. The CFO takes all the company’s strategic initiatives. 

Students in the commerce curriculum with skills in mathematics, economics, and in-depth knowledge in finance have a bright prospect in this job role. 

The annual average salary of a CFO is in the U.S. is USD 164,452 (INR 1.4Cr)

9. Cost Accountant

Cost Accountant is one of the best career options for students from the commerce stream. Cost accountants are finance professionals who analyze a company’s costs and help manage its expenses.

They keep track of costs related to rent, salaries, insurance, and more by maintaining detailed expense records. They also check for errors in cost reports to make sure everything is accurate.

Jobs in commerce, like this one, can be challenging and involve working with numbers and spreadsheets. However, these roles often come with good pay.

Pursuing an MBA in accounting can help you move into this career. Key skills like accounting, business knowledge, and management are important to becoming a successful Cost Accountant.

The average salary of an Accountant in the U.S is USD 79,753 (INR 68L)

10. Entrepreneur

The rapid growth of entrepreneurship globally implies its popularity among young aspirants hoping to showcase their ideas to the world through their creatively-led services. An Entrepreneur is an entity that constructs its own establishment while bearing the most financial burden and reaping its benefits entirely as well. 

Besides holding a firm grasp on their relevant field knowledge, entrepreneurship demands problem-solving, analytical, persuasion, and effective communication skills to deal with people. 
The average salary of an Entrepreneur in the U.S is USD 98,210 (INR 84L).

Conclusion

Commerce students have a promising future, with numerous opportunities emerging for skilled professionals. The commerce field helps build valuable skills, including critical thinking, management, math, and technical knowledge, giving students a strong edge in the job market.

Knowing your career options is important, but taking the right steps such as building skills and earning certifications makes all the difference. That’s where upGrad comes in, helping learners grow their potential and land exciting roles in the industry.

From courses like Master in Business Administration to a well-formulated Doctorate in Business Administration, obtaining professional certification can help you bag lucrative commerce stream jobs. 

Check out various upGrad courses to kickstart your career!

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