Business Operations Support and Assistant graduates earn $28,311 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $20,213 and $49,250. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
Business Operations Support and Assistant is a focused area of study within Business. Graduates typically earn around $28,311 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 940 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 16,604 students complete this program each year. The curriculum blends analytical and applied coursework aimed at the workplace.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$16,658
Median Earnings · 4yr
$28,311
Colleges Offering
940
Graduates / Year
16,604
Avg Net Price / yr
$8,110
How Much Do Business Operations Support and Assistant Graduates Earn?
Business Operations Support and Assistant graduates earn $28,311 four years out, significantly below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $20,213 and $49,250. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $16,658 climbs to $28,311 by year four.
$16,658
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$28,311
4-Year National Median
Significantly below average. Graduate credentials or high-demand roles can raise this considerably.
$23,549
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Business Operations Support and Assistant graduates. Industry and seniority explain most of the spread. Finance, consulting, and strategy roles pull the top end up; operations and administrative roles sit at the bottom.
$20,21325th pct.
$28,311Median
$49,25075th pct.
Based on outcomes from 46 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 16,604 students who complete Business Operations Support and Assistant programs each year, the majority (40%) earn a doctorate degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
31%27%40%
Doctorate40%
Certificate31%
Associate's27%
What Can You Do With a Business Operations Support and Assistant Degree?
Business Operations Support and Assistant connects to 3 occupations in the job market. Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants leads at $76,590/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.
Manage and maintain executives' schedules.
Make travel arrangements for executives.
Prepare invoices, reports, memos, letters, financial statements, and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software.
High school diploma or equivalent144,500 openings/yr1.4M employed nationally
Social PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingMonitoring
Day-to-day responsibilities
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.
Supervise the work of office, administrative, or customer service employees to ensure adherence to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures, correcting errors or problems.
Resolve customer complaints or answer customers' questions regarding policies and procedures.
Provide employees with guidance in handling difficult or complex problems or in resolving escalated complaints or disputes.
Compile and keep personnel records. Record data for each employee, such as address, weekly earnings, absences, amount of sales or production, supervisory reports, and date of and reason for termination. May prepare reports for employment records, file employment records, or search employee files and furnish information to authorized persons.
Process, verify, and maintain personnel related documentation, including staffing, recruitment, training, grievances, performance evaluations, classifications, and employee leaves of absence.
Record data for each employee, including such information as addresses, weekly earnings, absences, amount of sales or production, supervisory reports on performance, and dates of and reasons for terminations.
Explain company personnel policies, benefits, and procedures to employees or job applicants.
Top Colleges for Business Operations Support and Assistant
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Business Operations Support and Assistant students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Business Operations Support and Assistant graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Business Programs
Business Operations Support and Assistant is one of 22 specializations within Business. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
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Business Operations Support and Assistant Degree: Pros & Cons
Business Operations Support and Assistant carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 4 strengths and 3 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $16,658 at graduation to $28,311 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 203,500 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Wide availabilityOffered at 940 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
Flexible credential pathsPrograms are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.
CONS
Below-average earningsFour-year median of $28,311 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders.
Declining roles in some areas3 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($20,213) and 75th ($49,250) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
Business Operations Support and Assistant Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Business Operations Support and Assistant graduates earn?
Business Operations Support and Assistant graduates earn a national median of $28,311 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $20,213 and $49,250. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Business Operations Support and Assistant degree?
One year after graduation, Business Operations Support and Assistant degree holders earn a median of $16,658. That climbs to $28,311 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Business Operations Support and Assistant degree?
Business Operations Support and Assistant degree holders pursue careers including Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, which pays a median of $76,590/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Business Operations Support and Assistant program take?
Business Operations Support and Assistant programs most commonly culminate in a doctoral degree, requiring four or more years of graduate study after completing a bachelor's or master's in the field.
How many colleges offer Business Operations Support and Assistant?
940 colleges and universities in the United States offer Business Operations Support and Assistant programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Business Operations Support and Assistant degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $28,311 and an average net price of roughly $8,110/yr, a Business Operations Support and Assistant degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Business Operations Support and Assistant and Business?
Business Operations Support and Assistant is a focused concentration within the broader Business field. The Business major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Business Operations Support and Assistant-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Business Operations Support and Assistant graduates?
Employers hiring Business Operations Support and Assistant graduates consistently prioritize financial analysis, communication, project management, and strategic thinking. Internship experience and proficiency in tools like Excel, SQL, or business software tend to set candidates apart.
Is graduate school worth it for Business Operations Support and Assistant graduates?
An MBA or specialized master's can boost earnings and open paths to management and strategy roles. ROI is strongest at selective programs with strong recruiting pipelines. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Business Operations Support and Assistant graduates?
The job outlook for Business Operations Support and Assistant graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of -3.0% job growth over the next 10 years. First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers is among the strongest-growth roles at -0.3%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
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Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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