An associate degree in business administration can lead to jobs with a better than average pay rate. The degree leads to various types of business careers since everyone is impacted by the business field. Whether it’s a Fortune 500 company or a small, local boutique selling clothing, a business degree is essential for many career paths.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has good news for individuals interested in taking up a management role. Not only are jobs in this field growing faster than average, but they’re also associated with higher wages than any other major employment category. Over half a million new jobs will be available in business administration and management over the next decade, and these positions will earn job-holders more than $100,000 per year on average.
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Some people believe that you need a bachelor’s degree before you can hope to make a good salary in the world of business. That’s not the case at all. There are plenty of good paying positions that only require an associate degree in business administration.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration isn’t a worthy pursuit. Commonly referred to as BBAs, these degrees are associated with salaries of over $65,000 per year on average. Moreover, you may have more job opportunities with a bachelor’s degree in business administration than with an associate’s credential in the field.
So why bother with an associate’s degree in business administration when a bachelor’s degree will set you up for more job opportunities and higher pay? Good question! The downside of a bachelor’s degree in business administration (or any field for that matter) is that these degree plans are typically more expensive and more time consuming. For example, while you can earn an associate’s degree in just two years, it can take four years or more to earn a BBA. That’s two additional years of tuition when you could be earning a steady income with your associate’s in business administration credential.
One of the primary advantages of an associate’s degree in business administration is quick entry into the business field. As mentioned, the standard completion time for an associate’s degree in business administration is two years. Accelerated degree plans are available, too, and can cut this completion time in half. Within just one year of college coursework, you can be gainfully employed in the field. Plus, if you decide to return to school to continue your education in business administration, the credits you earn in an associate’s degree program will likely transfer to a BBA degree plan.
Below, we will discuss five jobs in the field of business administration that require a minimum of an associate’s degree credential. Our editors have provided basic information about each position, including average salaries and job growth projections when available.
Account Manager
Graduates of associate’s degree in business administration programs commonly find jobs as account managers. Account managers are hired by companies to keep track of the various clients and projects the company is currently handling. This is an important administrative function that is crucial to the successful functioning of the business overall.
An account manager works with clients and customers. This is a representative of the company that works to deliver positive customer experiences and resolve situations. The account manager will have to present various reports to the department head like sales results for the quarter. The manager might have to report on the status of accounts under their management too.
Though they may only need an associate’s degree in business administration to qualify for their positions, account managers make fairly decent wages. According to PayScale, these business professionals start out making over $50,000 a year on average. Those account managers with five-plus years of experience can expect to make nearly $60,000 per year.
Executive Assistant
Another top job for individuals with an associate of business administration degree is that of an executive assistant. An executive assistant usually works within an office environment. This person assists the executive with managing his or her travel arrangements, managing their calendar in regards to meetings and preparing financial reports. In some positions, the assistant will train and supervise other support staff in the office. The executive assistant can often be required to keep sensitive information confidential, and he or she might have to sign an agreement to keep information secret.
Executive assistants are very well-paid, especially when you consider they only need an associate’s degree in business administration to qualify for their jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these professionals made an average salary of over $60,000 in 2019.
Unfortunately, these positions are currently on the decline. The BLS reports that job openings for executive assistants are projected to fall by 20% between 2019 and 2029. As the overall economy improves, however, we can expect positions in this field to rebound.
Human Resources Manager
Yet another popular job choice for graduates of associate’s degree in business administration programs can be found in the sub-field of human resources. An HR manager will recruit staff for a busy company, interview for various positions and conduct orientation meetings for new employees. This position often works as a link between employees and management when it comes to policies. Almost every field has a need for a human resources manager. They can make upwards of $205,000 annually depending on their degree and experience. While some managers have a bachelor’s degree, it’s possible to be hired as an HR employee with an associate’s credential and be promoted to a managerial role.
As mentioned, human resource managers are typically very well-compensated. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the average salary for these types of business administration professionals to be over $116,000 according to information collected in 2019.
The demand for HR managers is growing, too. According to the BLS, positions for these business professionals are increasing much faster than average and are expected to grow by 6% between 2019 and 2029. This growth will result in over 13,000 new jobs each year.
Business Office Manager
Another promising position in business administration that requires only an associate’s degree is that of a business office manager. In this position, managers are required to handle all the paperwork involved in a busy office environment. This person will have to be able to multi-task. Each office manager will handle tasks based on the industry, but most often, they are supervising the smooth running of the office itself. The person might handle accounts receivable, accounts payable and human resources tasks.
Employment prospects for business office managers are promising, considering that there is a need for these professionals in nearly every industry you can think of, including education, health care, technology, and more. Positions for business office managers exist in the private and public sectors, including government agencies, corporations, and non-profits.
Business officer managers are among some of the highest paid professionals with an associate’s degree in business administration. According to PayScale, the average annual wage for these business professionals is over $50,000. Of course, your exact salary will depend on many different variables, including where you work and the precise terms of your employment. Typically, the larger the office and the more responsibilities you have, the more you’ll make.
Payroll and Benefits Administrator
It’s possible to find a job as a payroll and benefits administrator with just an associate’s degree in business administration. A position in this sector of business and management will require a highly specialized skillset, though. For example, you’ll need better-than average math skills and the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
The demand for payroll and benefits managers is clear. In medium to large companies, there should be at least one person administering payroll and helping employees figure out their benefits. They oversee the compensation of all the workers from the janitorial staff to high-level executives. They will have to know bookkeeping procedures as well as the laws governing compensation and benefits in their state. They will collect data on attendance as well as wage garnishments and payroll taxes.
Though the duties associated with the job of a payroll manager are challenging, you can expect to be well-compensated for your efforts. You’ll likely have advancement opportunities too, once you’re hired on. PayScale reports that entry-level payroll managers earn nearly $59,000 per year on average. After five years of experience in the field, this average increases to over $65,000 annually.
Interested in working in the exciting field of business administration? The quickest path toward such a career is an associate’s credential. An associate degree in business administration can lead to high-paying positions in a variety of subfields like accounting, human resources, payroll, and more.
An associate degree in business administration can lead to high-paying positions in a variety of fields. Every business has need of professionals who can adapt to the changing landscape of the business world. You don’t need a bachelor’s degree to start a satisfying, well-paying job in a field that you love.