Business Major vs Finance Major Salary Comparison

Choosing between a Business major and a Finance major is a big decision. Many students worry about one main question:

“Which degree will give me a better salary in the future?”

Both degrees can lead to good jobs and strong incomes, but the kind of work you do and how your salary grows can be different. In this blog, we will explain business major vs finance major salary comparison in simple language so you can understand clearly and make a smart choice.

We will cover:

What you study in a Business major and a Finance major
Common jobs and salaries for each major
Easy examples and salary calculations
Tips on which major may be better for you if salary is important

What Is a Business Major?

A Business major (often called Business Administration) teaches you how companies work from many angles. You don’t only learn about money; you also learn about people, processes, and strategy.

Common subjects in a Business major include:

Management
Marketing
Human Resources (HR)
Operations and logistics
Basic accounting and finance
Business communication

A Business major focuses more on:

People and teams
Planning and organization
Leadership and communication

With this degree, you can work in many different fields, such as:

Sales
Marketing
HR
Operations
Business consulting
Office and project management

This makes the Business major a flexible option. You are not limited to one type of job.

What Is a Finance Major?

A Finance major is more focused on money and financial systems. It is more numbers-based and analytical. You spend a lot of time understanding how money moves in companies and markets.

Common subjects in a Finance major include:

Financial markets and institutions
Corporate finance
Investments and portfolio management
Risk management
Financial analysis and valuation
Banking and credit

A Finance major focuses more on:

Numbers and data
Analyzing financial information
Investments and returns
Understanding risk and profit

With a Finance degree, you can work in areas like:

Banking
Financial analysis
Investment firms
Corporate finance departments
Financial planning and advisory services

Finance is a great choice if you enjoy math, data, and logical problem-solving.

Typical Jobs and Salaries for Business Majors

Let’s look at some common jobs that business graduates often get, along with approximate yearly salaries in U.S. dollars (these are just rough figures for understanding; actual salaries vary by country and company):

Job Title	Approx. Median Salary (per year, USD)
Sales Manager	$120,000+
Management Analyst / Consultant	around $90,000–$100,000
Purchasing Manager / Buyer	around $70,000–$80,000
Human Resource Specialist	around $60,000–$65,000
Advertising Sales Agent	around $50,000–$55,000
Office / Administrative Manager	around $70,000–$90,000

These numbers show that:

Many business-related roles offer good mid-level salaries.
Some roles, like Sales Manager and Management Consultant, can earn very high incomes, especially with experience and performance bonuses.

Business majors often see strong salary growth when they move into leadership positions or sales roles where commissions and incentives are high.

Typical Jobs and Salaries for Finance Majors

Now, let’s look at common jobs for finance graduates with rough salary ideas:

Job Title	Approx. Salary (per year, USD)
Investment Banking Analyst	$120,000+ (often higher with bonus)
Hedge Fund Manager	$200,000–$250,000+ (varies widely)
Private Equity Analyst	$120,000+
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)	$120,000+
Personal Financial Advisor	around $90,000–$95,000
Financial Analyst	around $75,000–$85,000
Accountant / Auditor	around $70,000–$80,000
Commercial Banking Roles	around $85,000–$95,000

From this, you can see:

Many finance roles have high starting salaries, especially in investment banking, hedge funds, and private equity.
Senior roles like CFO can earn very high incomes.
Even standard roles like Financial Analyst often pay more than many entry-level business jobs.

Business Major vs Finance Major Salary Comparison

If we compare rough benchmark numbers:

A general business graduate might start around $60,000–$65,000 per year.
A finance graduate starting as a Financial Analyst might earn around $75,000–$85,000 per year.

So, on average:

Finance majors often have a higher starting salary in core finance roles.
Business majors may start slightly lower but can grow their salaries through promotions and performance.

Remember: these are only rough example numbers to help you compare. Real salaries will depend on your location, company, and skills.

Simple Example: First-Year Salary Comparison

Let’s take a simple, imaginary example:

Student A: Business major → gets a job as a Business Analyst earning $60,000 in the first year.
Student B: Finance major → gets a job as a Financial Analyst earning $80,000 in the first year.

Year 1 Salary

Student A (Business): $60,000
Student B (Finance): $80,000

Difference in Year 1 salary:

$80,000 – $60,000 = $20,000

So, in the first year, the finance major earns $20,000 more.

5-Year Total Income (Very Simple Case)

To make it easy, imagine salaries stay the same for 5 years (no raise, just for calculation):

Business major:
$60,000 × 5 = $300,000
Finance major:
$80,000 × 5 = $400,000

Difference after 5 years:

$400,000 – $300,000 = $100,000

So, in this simple example, the finance major earns $100,000 more in 5 years.

In real life, both would probably get raises and maybe promotions, but this example shows how a higher starting salary can create a big gap over a few years.

Example: Sales Manager vs Investment Banking Analyst

Now let’s compare two high-paying roles from each side:

Business side: Sales Manager – around $120,000–$130,000 per year (plus possible bonuses).
Finance side: Investment Banking Analyst – maybe $120,000 base salary + bonus (e.g., $30,000 or more).

Let’s assume:

Sales Manager salary: $127,000
Investment Banking Analyst salary: $120,000 base + $30,000 bonus = $150,000 total

In this example:

The business role (Sales Manager) already earns a very high salary.
The finance role (Investment Banking Analyst) can earn even more when bonuses are added.

This shows that:

Top finance jobs can be extremely high-paying.
But top business jobs (especially sales and consulting) can also give very strong incomes.

Factors That Affect Salary (More Than Your Major)

It is very important to understand that your degree alone does not decide your salary. Other big factors include:

1. Industry

A finance major working in investment banking or private equity will usually earn more than a finance major working in a simple local office job.
A business major working in tech sales or big consulting firms may earn more than a finance major in a low-paying bank.

2. Location

Salaries in big cities and financial centers are usually higher.
For example, jobs in New York or London often pay more than similar jobs in small towns.
But cost of living in those cities is also higher.

3. Experience and Performance

Someone who works hard, learns quickly, and performs well can get faster promotions and salary hikes, no matter what their degree is.
A business major who becomes an excellent sales leader may earn far more than an average finance major.

4. Education Level

Getting a master’s degree such as an MBA or Master’s in Finance often opens doors to higher positions and better pay.
Many top management and finance roles prefer candidates with postgraduate degrees.

5. Company Size and Type

Large multinational companies often pay more than small local firms.
Job roles in startups may offer lower salaries but sometimes give equity (shares in the company), which can become valuable later.

Skills: Which Major Matches Your Strengths?

Business Major – Who Is It For?

A Business major may be a better fit for you if:

You enjoy working with people and teams.
You like leading projects and organizing work.
You are interested in marketing, HR, operations, or sales.
You are good at communication, negotiation, and planning.

Many high-paying business jobs, such as Sales Manager or Business Development Manager, reward people who can:

Build strong relationships
Persuade and convince others
Lead teams and motivate them

In these roles, your soft skills can help you earn big bonuses and commissions.

Finance Major – Who Is It For?

A Finance major may be a better fit for you if:

You enjoy math and numbers.
You like analyzing data and solving logical problems.
You are curious about stocks, bonds, investments, and markets.
You are comfortable working with spreadsheets and financial models.

Many high-paying finance jobs, such as Investment Banker or Hedge Fund Analyst, require:

Strong analytical skills
Attention to detail
Ability to handle pressure and long hours

These roles can be stressful, but they often offer very high salaries and bonuses.

Simple 10-Year Salary Growth Example

Let’s imagine two more students:

Student C – Business major
Student D – Finance major

Starting Salaries

Student C (Business Analyst): $55,000
Student D (Financial Analyst): $70,000

Let’s assume both get a 5% raise every year (just a simple example).

The formula for next year’s salary is:

Next year salary=Current salary×(1+0.05)

Business Major: Student C

Year 1: $55,000
Year 2: $55,000 × 1.05 = $57,750
Year 3: $57,750 × 1.05 ≈ $60,637.50
Year 4: $60,637.50 × 1.05 ≈ $63,669.38
Year 5: $63,669.38 × 1.05 ≈ $66,852.85

So, after 5 years, Student C earns about $66,853 per year.

Finance Major: Student D

Year 1: $70,000
Year 2: $70,000 × 1.05 = $73,500
Year 3: $73,500 × 1.05 ≈ $77,175
Year 4: $77,175 × 1.05 ≈ $81,033.75
Year 5: $81,033.75 × 1.05 ≈ $85,085.44

So, after 5 years, Student D earns about $85,085 per year.

Difference in Year 5:

$85,085 – $66,853 ≈ $18,232

So by year 5, the finance major is still earning about $18,000 more per year than the business major in this example.

Of course, real life is more complex: they may change jobs, get promotions, or choose different paths. But this simple math shows how an early salary gap can continue over time.

So, Which Major Pays More: Business or Finance?

If we look only at typical salaries:

Finance majors in core finance roles (like financial analyst, banker, investment roles) often earn higher starting salaries and have very high top-end earning potential.
Business majors may start with a bit lower pay on average, but they can still reach very high incomes in roles like sales management, consulting, and senior leadership.

So we can say:

If your main goal is maximum salary and you are ready for numbers-heavy work and pressure, Finance often gives you better chances for very high pay.
If you want flexibility, enjoy people and management, and still want a good salary, a Business major is an excellent choice.

Final Thoughts: How to Choose the Right Major for You

When choosing between a Business major and a Finance major, don’t think about money alone. Ask yourself:

What do I actually enjoy studying?
- If you hate numbers, a finance job will make you unhappy, even if it pays more.
- If you dislike people-facing work, sales or HR may not be right for you.
What kind of work-life balance do I want?
- Some high-paying finance jobs demand very long hours.
- Many business roles may offer a more balanced lifestyle.
Am I willing to keep learning and growing?
- In both business and finance, your skills, performance, and networking matter a lot for your final salary.
Where do I see myself in 10 years?
- Leading a team, managing people, and growing a business? → Business major can be a great path.
- Managing investments, analyzing companies, and working in the financial markets? → Finance major may fit you better.

Also Read: What Is Finance as a Job? – Guide to Roles & Skills

Conclusion

There is no one perfect answer for everyone in the Business major vs Finance major salary comparison. On average:

Finance often wins if you look only at starting salary and top-end potential in certain fields.
Business offers wider career choices and can still lead to six-figure incomes, especially in sales, consulting, and leadership roles.

Your interest, skills, and effort will ultimately decide how much you earn. The degree you choose is just your starting point. Your hard work and smart decisions will build your income over time.