Business & Management
Business and management covers how organizations plan, run and improve. Graduates work as management analysts (consultants), project managers, marketing managers and, with experience, financial and general managers.
Where Business & Management can lead
A field of study is not one job. These are the occupations BLS tracks for this pathway, with median annual pay (May 2025) and projected change in employment (2025–35); total U.S. employment is projected to grow 3.5%.
| Occupation | Median pay | Outlook | Openings / year | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management analysts | $101,860 | +10% Much faster than average |
94,100 | Bachelor's degree |
| Project management specialists | $102,320 | +7% Much faster than average |
76,500 | Bachelor's degree |
| Marketing managers Outlook and openings for BLS group: advertising, promotions, and marketing managers |
$166,790 | +6% Faster than average |
36,300 | Bachelor's degree |
| Financial managers | $166,570 | +10% Much faster than average |
65,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Median: half of workers earned more, half earned less. Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, checked 2026-10-07.
Key numbers to know
What management analysts earn
Pay varies widely with experience, employer and location. BLS figures for May 2025.
Often new graduates
Half earned more, half less
Often senior or specialized roles
Median pay by industry
| Industry | Share of jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 33% | $107,330 |
| Government | 18% | $97,300 |
| Finance and insurance | 13% | $100,300 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 5% | $101,030 |
Where they work: 14% of management analysts are self-employed.
Source: BLS, management analysts (pay and work environment tabs).
What the work is really like
From O*NET, which surveys people working in the job. Some work more than 40 hours a week; many travel frequently to client sites and may face stress meeting tight client deadlines.
Common tasks
- Gather and organize information on problems or procedures.
- Analyze data gathered and develop solutions or alternative methods of proceeding.
- Document findings of study and prepare recommendations for implementation of new systems, procedures, or organizational changes.
- Confer with personnel concerned to ensure successful functioning of newly implemented systems or procedures.
What workers report
| Share of workers who… | Share |
|---|---|
| Use email every day | |
| Have face-to-face discussions every day | |
| Face time pressure at least weekly (not daily) | |
| Work a typical 40-hour week |
Technology used on the job
Interests that fit this work (Holland codes): Conventional, Investigative, Enterprising. Source: O*NET OnLine, 13-1111.00, checked 2026-10-07.
How to get there, step by step
A typical route. Many people reach the same job in different ways.
- Step 1
Communicate and analyze
Economics, statistics, writing and leadership activities.
- Step 2
Bachelor's degree
Business or a related field; internships are key.
- Step 3
Analyst or coordinator
Analyst, project coordinator, marketing or operations roles.
- Step 4
Build a track record
Management analysts typically need several years of related work.
- Goal
Lead
Consultant, project or marketing manager; an MBA helps for some roles.
High school preparation
- Economics and statistics
- English and public speaking
- Business clubs such as DECA or FBLA where available
- A part-time job — real workplace experience counts
Course suggestions are Margdarshan's guidance; what you can take depends on your school. See the high school guide for GPA, AP and dual enrollment.
Degrees and what you study
A bachelor's degree (business, social science or engineering are common), several years of related experience, and sometimes an MBA, which some employers prefer. Certification is not required but can help.
Education workers say their job requires (O*NET)
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | |
| Master's degree |
Costs and aid: see College & Money. Important qualities BLS lists for management analysts: analytical skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, time-management skills.
Why demand is changing
BLS expects organizations to keep seeking efficiency and cost control, more specialized consulting firms, and government agencies looking for savings.
Much faster than average
Management analysts
Average over the decade, including replacements
Studying from outside the U.S.? Education and immigration are separate pathways — see the international student guide.
Advice for getting in
Margdarshan's guidance, based on the data above.
- Learn data tools — O*NET lists Power BI, Tableau and Salesforce among in-demand technologies for management analysts.
- Expect travel in consulting: BLS says management analysts often travel to client sites.
- Marketing manager roles usually come after experience in sales, marketing or advertising.
Frequently asked questions
Related career pathways
Where these facts come from
Official sources only, checked on the dates shown.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Management analysts checked 2026-10-07
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Project management specialists checked 2026-10-07
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Marketing managers checked 2026-10-07
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Financial managers checked 2026-10-07
- O*NET OnLine: 13-1111.00 · U.S. Department of Labor checked 2026-10-07
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates via the BLS Public Data API checked 2026-10-07