Explore the 20 Highest-Paying Business Jobs
These business jobs come with big paychecks.
For aspiring business professionals, these 20 jobs pay the highest salaries among U.S. News' 2017 Best Jobs rankings. Some of the highest-paying gigs may require a graduate degree, such as an MBA, but many of them don't. Click on to see which business job takes the top spot for highest pay.
20. Fundraiser
Median Salary: $52,970
Unemployment Rate: 8.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 6,900
Fundraisers spend their days raising money for their employer and may work at nonprofits, universities or for political campaigns.
Learn more about fundraisers.
19. Executive Assistant
Median Salary: $53,370
Unemployment Rate: 3.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: -44,600
Without executive assistants, the higher-ups would have a difficult time staying organized, on schedule and on task. These right-hand men and women help manage their boss's calendar, coordinate meetings, take messages and other tasks.
Learn more about executive assistants.
18. HR Specialist
Median Salary: $58,210
Unemployment Rate: 2.7 percent
Expected Job Openings: 18,900
An HR specialist may work on anything from keeping track of compensation and benefits to hiring and recruiting.
Learn more about HR specialists.
17. Cost Estimator
Median Salary: $60,390
Unemployment Rate: 1.7 percent
Expected Job Openings: 18,700
Cost estimators analyze data to determine the time and resources necessary to manufacture a product or complete a building project.
Learn more about cost estimators.
16. Market Research Analyst
Median Salary: $62,150
Unemployment Rate: 3.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 92,300
Market research analysts help their clients identify and understand their customers, including who they are and what their buying habits are.
Learn more about market research analysts.
15. Loan Officer
Median Salary: $63,430
Unemployment Rate: 3.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 24,500
These professionals make loans available to qualified businesses and individuals. They may work at banks, credit unions or car dealerships.
Learn more about loan officers.
14. Social and Community Service Manager
Median Salary: $63,530
Unemployment Rate: 3.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 13,200
This job requires advocating for a group of people or a community, identifying problems and serving as a voice for that population.
Learn more about social and community service managers.
13. Compliance Officer
Median Salary: $65,640
Unemployment Rate: 1.7 percent
Expected Job Openings: 8,700
These specialized business professionals make sure organizations are following policies and regulations.
Learn more about compliance officers.
12. Accountant
Median Salary: $67,190
Unemployment Rate: 2.5 percent
Expected Job Openings: 142,400
Accountants inspect the financial records of potential employers, including government agencies, private corporations, nonprofits and individual clients.
Learn more about accountants.
11. Logistician
Median Salary: $74,260
Unemployment Rate: 3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 2,500
These experts coordinate with a range of parties to accomplish a task, from aiding in disaster relief to ensuring quick deliveries to customers.
Learn more about logisticians.
10. Operations Research Analyst
Median Salary: $78,630
Unemployment Rate: 2.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 27,600
Workers in this field analyze raw data and mathematical equations to help businesses make educated decisions.
Learn more about operations research analysts.
9. Statistician
Median Salary: $80,110
Unemployment Rate: 0.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 10,100
Statisticians use data to make decisions, including collecting, analyzing and drawing conclusions from their number-crunching.
Learn more about statisticians.
8. Financial Analyst
Median Salary: $80,310
Unemployment Rate: 2.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 32,300
Financial analysts work long hours, advising clients on how and when to buy and sell investments. That requires them to stay on top of financial news.
Learn more about financial analysts.
7. Management Analyst
Median Salary: $81,320
Unemployment Rate: 3.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 103,400
These problem-solvers home in on ways to make organizations run more efficiently and increase profits.
Learn more about management analysts.
6. Financial Advisor
Median Salary: $89,160
Unemployment Rate: 2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 73,900
These money experts advise clients on their finances, from investing in a retirement plan to budgeting for a child's education.
Learn more about financial advisors.
5. Medical and Health Services Manager
Median Salary: $94,500
Unemployment Rate: 1.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 56,300
These managers coordinate and direct the behind-the-scenes action to ensure medical facilities run smoothly.
Learn more about medical and health services managers.
4. Actuary
Median Salary: $97,070
Unemployment Rate: 0.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 4,400
These numbers experts measure and analyze the financial consequences of risk.
Learn more about actuaries.
3. Business Operations Manager
Median Salary: $97,730
Unemployment Rate: 3.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 151,100
These corporate know-it-alls work collaboratively across various teams and projects, helping hire staff and addressing budget concerns, for example.
Learn more about business operations managers.
2. Mathematician
Median Salary: $111,110
Unemployment Rate: 0.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 700
Mathematicians crunch numbers and analyze outcomes while working in a range of math-related jobs, including teaching and research.
Learn more about mathematicians.
1. Financial Manager
Median Salary: $117,990
Unemployment Rate: 2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 37,700
Financial managers oversee their employer's finances, write reports and ensure that their boss is complying with various laws and regulations.
Learn more about financial managers.
Susannah Snider is the Personal Finance editor at U.S. News. Since 2010, she has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics, from consumer travel to college financial aid, student loans and employment. Snider previously worked as a staff writer at Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine and holds a master's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California. She has appeared as a personal finance expert on television, radio and in print, including on "Fox & Friends," "The Tavis Smiley Show" and Fox Business News. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at ssnider@usnews.com.
