Ready to invest in your future with a business degree? Check out the majors offering you access to the most in-demand jobs and highest salaries in Australia.
Business degrees often lead to high salaries since you learn skills that are useful to most organisations. Let's explore the highest-paying majors likely to produce the best future job opportunities. Salary data come from au.Indeed.com.
The salary figures are truly indicative only. How much you're likely to earn on any given career path depends on many factors, including your talent and determination. Great opportunities are available in all professions. Use our guide to the best business degrees to help choose the right major for you.
Highest-Paying Business Majors
When you study for a Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Commerce in Australia, you will need to choose a specialisation or major at some stage. This analysis indicates the sorts of jobs and salaries that may result from that choice.
Note that undergraduate programs are general and normally cover all these subject areas. Furthermore, graduates don't have to work in their field of academic specialisation. Career shifts are always possible, especially with postgraduate study and other forms of professional development.
Table: High-paying specialisations, with salaries and job examples
| Major | Average salary | Job examples |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resource Management | $119,293 (n=592) |
Human Resources Manager ($119,293) Human Resources Specialist ($91,066) Recruitment Manager ($120,912) |
| Business Analytics | $110,868 (n=894) |
Business Analyst ($110,868) Business Intelligence Analyst ($114,167) Data Analyst ($91,478) |
| Entrepreneurship | $102,036 (n=2,100) |
Business Development Manager ($102,036) Product Manager ($129,692) Sales Manager ($104,121) |
| Finance | $101,728 (n=414) |
Financial Analyst ($101,728) Investment Analyst ($110,647) Portfolio Analyst ($114,847) |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | $88,918 (n=120) |
Logistics Manager ($88,918) Supply Chain Manager ($95,246) Operations Manager ($112,586) |
| Digital Marketing | $85,127 (n=599) |
Digital Marketer ($85,127) Marketing Specialist ($79,696) Marketing Manager ($106,105) |
| Economics | $82,098 (n=150) |
Economist ($82,098) Economic Analyst ($99,177) Policy Analyst ($86,886) |
| International Business | $81,943 (n=20) |
Export Manager ($81,943) International Partnerships Manager ($87,397) Logistics Coordinator ($70,108) |
| Accounting | $77,344 (n=2,100) |
Accountant ($77,344) Senior Accountant ($95,229) Auditor ($119,800) |
| Management | $76,777 (n=399) |
Customer Service Manager ($76,777) Human Resources Generalist ($95,093) Business Support ($77,747) |
Source: au.Indeed.com. The indicative salary is the average salary for the type of job considered most representative of the specialisation. Sample size is the number of salaries recorded. Updated: 14 March 2023.
1. Human Resource Management
Example roles and salaries in this field are Human Resources Manager ($119,293), Human Resources Specialist ($91,066) and Recruitment Manager ($120,912).
HR jobs can be found in almost every medium and large organisation in Australia, making a human resources management degree a solid career investment. The discipline provides a well-defined career path, allowing individuals to start as an assistant and work up to senior executive positions.
HR programs teach essential skills such as recruitment, training, performance mapping, and employee relations. Studying HR prepares students for a career as an HR manager, with skills across the spectrum of people management duties.
Related: Human Resources (HR) Courses Online
2. Business Analytics
The average salary of a Business Analyst in Australia is estimated to be $110,868 per year. Similar roles are Business Intelligence Analyst ($114,167) and Data Analyst ($91,478).
As the amount of data available to companies grows, so does the need for professionals who can analyse and interpret data to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities. The demand for analysts, and business analyst skills generally, will continue growing into the future. Business analysts improve company performance by bringing data-based insights to decision-makers.
While business analytics degrees are mainly offered at the postgraduate level, you can design an undergraduate program to specialise in this field. You may want to consider a double major that spans the tech department. Some of the subjects to look out for when enrolling include business intelligence, data analytics, data management, logistics, applied finance, digital marketing, and quantitative management decision-making.
Related: Business Analytics Degrees
3. Entrepreneurship
Studying entrepreneurship is good preparation for salaried jobs such as Business Development Manager ($102,036), Product Manager ($129,692) and Sales Manager ($104,121).
Majoring in entrepreneurship can set you up for high-paying jobs of the future as you gain skills that are highly valued by employers. Marketing, business strategy, corporate governance, managing virtual teams, research and development, innovation strategies, and commercialisation are all competencies you may develop with this degree.
Entrepreneurship skills enable you to identify opportunities, and develop innovative products/services. You could found or grow small businesses. Programs with strong industry connections and applied projects will accelerate your development, making you job-ready and able to tackle challenges for potentially great rewards.
Related: Best Entrepreneurship Courses Online
4. Finance
Potential jobs, along with the average salaries, are Financial Analyst ($101,728), Investment Analyst ($110,647), and Portfolio Analyst ($114,847).
To enter the lucrative field field of finance, a good education is essential. A career in finance requires the skills to manage assets to create wealth for investors or companies. The ideal candidates have strong numerical skills and a passion for investing. The finance industry offers many career opportunities, but success depends on personal talents, preferences, and work ethic.
One popular study path is to enroll in a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a Finance major. Combining finance and accounting in your studies is recommended as well. Finance professionals should have solid accounting skills.
Related: Finance Degree Online in Australia
5. Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Employment opportunities are available in occupations such as Logistics Manager ($88,918), Supply Chain Manager ($95,246) and Operations Manager ($112,586).
A major in logistics and supply chain management can lead to a promising career with different career paths. Logistics managers oversee the efficient movement of products and information. Every commercial operation can benefit from effective operations control, so graduates are highly employable.
A degree will prepare you for interesting roles in areas such as customer relations, global networks, and operations manager. If the major is unavailable, pack your program with subjects such as operations management, business analytics, finance for decision making, marketing, and digital technologies.
6. Digital Marketing
The kinds of jobs available in this field include Digital Marketer ($85,127), Marketing Specialist ($79,696) and Marketing Manager ($106,105).
Marketing is a large employment sector because marketing is an essential commercial activity and key driver of growth and profitability. As a Marketing major, you will gain valuable skills and knowledge in understanding customer behavior, market research, strategic planning, brand management, and digital marketing, which are in high demand by employers across industries.
With the increasing prominence of digital marketing, pursuing a Digital Marketing course or additional training in digital media platforms and data analytics can further enhance your employability and earning potential.
7. Economics
An economics degree positions graduates for jobs such as Economist ($82,098), Economic Analyst ($99,177) and Policy Analyst ($86,886).
Economics majors are well positioned in the Australian labour market. They have demonstrated mathematical, analytical and report writing skills, which are highly transferable to other careers. Employers value their problem-solving skills and ability to present information logically.
Economics graduates can work as economists for government agencies and corporations or apply their skills in different fields such as financial professions, government, and management. Combining economics with other disciplines such as mathematics or law can increase employment opportunities.
8. International Business
Job types for graduates include Export Manager ($81,943), International Partnerships Manager ($87,397) and Logistics Coordinator ($70,108).
An international business major provides graduates with a diverse skill set. Expect to gain cultural awareness and language proficiency, skills in cross-cultural communication and global market research, and knowledge of international trade regulations. These skills are highly valued by employers seeking to expand their operations in the global marketplace.
The increasing interconnectedness of the world economy and the rise of emerging markets has created job opportunities for graduates in Australia, particularly in industries such as finance, HR, consulting, logistics, and marketing.
9. Accounting
The types of jobs you may qualify for include Accountant ($77,344), Senior Accountant ($95,229) and Auditor ($119,800).
An accounting major can lead to good income and job security in Australia. Accounting is an essential function in almost all organisations. Increasing complexity of financial regulations and compliance requirements has also created a high demand for qualified professionals.
The skills and knowledge gained through an accounting degree are transferable across different sectors, providing diverse job opportunities and high income potential. You can also capitalise on accounting skills in many non-accountant occupations, such as management and financial analysis.
10. Management
Early in their career, graduates could fill roles such as Customer Service Manager ($76,777), Human Resources Generalist ($95,093) and Business Support ($77,747).
A Management major can set you up for high-paying jobs of the future by providing you with leadership and managerial skill foundations. A Bachelor of Business (Management) prepares you to approach organisational tasks in a structured, purposeful way. You'll gain an all-round manager's education.
While becoming a manager straight out of university may be unrealistic, majoring in the field still prepares you for the leadership and administration roles of tomorrow. With a broad foundation in business basics, this major builds many useful competencies.
Related: Online Business Management Degrees
Salary for Business Master's Degrees
Specialisations such as business administration, project management, and health management are mainly available and in-demand at a postgraduate level. You can major in these fields in an MBA or specialist masters program.
Let's check salary statistics for Australia to determine which may be the highest-paying business master's degree. Students who earn a graduate certificate, graduate diploma, or master's in any of these areas may be in line for senior roles as managers of specialist teams or work activities.
Project Management
Example roles and salaries in this field are Project Manager ($132,136), Construction Project Manager ($128,042) and IT Project Manager ($$116,044).
With the increasing complexity of projects and demand for skilled project managers, specialising in project management can lead to high-paying and rewarding career opportunities. Combining industry knowledge with project coordination and leadership skills allows you to successfully manage projects through to completion.
A Master of Project Management covers general principles and techniques, as well as specific topics such as finance and contract management. Professionals from all industries, including engineering, healthcare, and software development, are in high demand to fill project manager roles.
Business Administration
Employment opportunities are available in roles such as General Manager ($126,076), Senior Manager ($112,105) and Business Development Manager ($102,036).
Studying administration can create good job and salary opportunities in Australia as it offers valuable qualifications and management training. Obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) can place you on a higher career trajectory and lead to executive roles in corporate strategy, management, and leadership.
With numerous specialisation available, individuals from all backgrounds can benefit from learning how to manage people and operations, creating sustained salary benefits and career growth. The MBA is the world's most recognised and popular management degree.
Health Management
Potential jobs, along with the average salaries, are Unit Manager ($113,449), Nurse Manager ($121,968), and Clinic Manager ($109,759).
Specialising in health management can lead to lucrative job opportunities in Australia due to ever-growing demand for skilled health administrators in hospitals, aged care facilities, and government healthcare programs. Health administration courses, which are typically postgraduate, provide skills and qualifications to manage health services and systems of healthcare delivery.
With a Master of Health Services Management or equivalent program, health professionals can gain managerial training, making them well-prepared for senior manager, administration, and planning positions. Fully online master's degrees in health administration are available, giving graduates the ability to compete for executive jobs in the healthcare industry.