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Explore the 20 Highest-Paying Business Jobs

By U.S. News & World Report

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.

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Explore the 20 Highest-Paying Business Jobs originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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