Business management includes a wide variety of different job options in many different industries. Most of these types of jobs are expected to experience stable growth over the next decade, meaning that no matter where you look, you’re likely to find open positions. If you decide to work as a freelancer, you’ll have even more options, since you can work from any location that you want. However, while you’ll find business management jobs throughout the United States, data shows that they are more concentrated in certain areas. Keep reading for information about some of the cities that are more likely to have open business management positions.

What is a Business Manager?

A Business Manager is a leader who supervises the personnel and operations of a department or organization. They work to maintain productivity, efficiency, and organization, and to help the company achieve its goals. They also help improve overall performance and find new opportunities for growth and improvement. A small company might have only one Business Manager, while a larger company might have a number of them. Some Business Managers specialize in a specific area such as marketing, sales, or administration.

A Business Manager typically takes responsibility for a wide range of different tasks. These vary depending on the industry they work in and the company they work for, however, in general, this position involves four main aspects. One is planning, which means setting future goals and making a plan for achieving them. The second is organizing tasks and resources so that business plans can be implemented. A third part of business management is leading employees. Finally, Business Managers are responsible for controlling the operations of a business, which means keeping track of how it is performing and making any changes that are needed.

New York

New York City has the largest economy in New York State, and one of the biggest in the world, and it offers a wide range of different business management opportunities in all kinds of industries. In a website page titled, “Why NYC?” NYC International Business says, “With a market boasting 8.6 million potential customers–and more than 25 million in the metro area–the economic opportunities in NYC are endless. With its strong economy and infrastructure, global workforce, and cross-industry innovation, it's no wonder that NYC is considered the business center of the world.” It finds that some of the city’s key industries are technology and media, smart cities and clean tech, fashion, foods and beverages, and finance. Tech, in particular, has been growing quickly in recent years. According to NYC International Business, New York City has more than 291,000 tech jobs and more than $124.7 billion in economic output. It says, “With an 18% growth rate in tech sector jobs over the past ten years.

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Los Angeles

Los Angeles also has a large economy and many different business management job options. According to the Economic & Workforce Development Department, on its webpage, “Why Los Angeles?”“Los Angeles is a global economic powerhouse, boasting the world's third-largest metropolitan economy.” It says, “For generations, people from around the globe have come to Los Angeles to create the future and in turn, helped build one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in history.” According to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, leading industries in this city include aerospace, biosciences, entertainment, EV and advanced transportation, design, and IT. Finance is also important to the Los Angeles economy. In 2023, the city moved up to the number six position on the Global Financial Centres Index, which is a list of the world’s top financial centers created by Z/Yen Partners and the China Development Institute.

Washington, D.C.

Washington D.C. has one of the largest economies in the United States, which includes a wide array of businesses. On a web page titled, “WHY DC,” the Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP)explains, “Our workforce is a powerhouse of talent and education. With a median age of 35, our workforce consistently ranks among the top in categories such as entrepreneurial and tech talent, women in technology, and experienced local executives.” It says, “DC is renowned for attracting top global talent, resulting in a robust and diverse workforce.” Washington, D.C. is also known for its tech scene, and is often mentioned as one of the top tech markets in the country. For instance, the Washington, D.C. Economic Partnership calls it the third-best city in the nation for tech, stating, “Washington, D.C. tech companies are engineering the next digital revolution in one of the hottest East Coast tech hubs.” 

Houston

Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States. It has no personal, state, or corporate income tax, and is known as a competitive place to do business. According to the Greater Houston Partnership’s website, Houston ranks third among all U.S. cities for having the most Fortune 500 company headquarters. Fortune 500 companies headquartered there include ExxonMobil, Phillips 66, ConocoPhillips, and Sysco. There are also many large financial companies in Houston including JPMorgan Chase & Co and Wells Fargo, and tech firms like Microsoft and IBM.On a web page titled “Headquarters Capital,” the Greater Houston Partnership explains, “Houston is pro-growth, with low costs and low regulations, and with no corporate or personal income tax at the state level, companies operating in Houston enjoy one of the lowest overall tax burdens in the country.”

Chicago

Chicago is the third largest city in the United States, with a population of almost 3 million people, and has many different opportunities in business management. It is home to many large companies, in industries like finance, business, engineering, health care, and transportation. Some well-known companies with offices in Chicago include Deloitte, JPMorgan Chase, Boeing, and United Airlines. Chicago is also a tech hub. In an article titled, “The 25 Best Tech Companies in Chicago to Work For,” Flatiron School says, “These days, Chicago is a growing tech hub where major tech companies and tech startups are embracing the future of technology. Chicago is one of the largest tech employers in the United States.”

Business Manager Salary and Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is a federal agency that gathers and analyzes labor market statistics and publishes a variety of reports detailing its findings. It reports a strong job outlook for all management jobs. It says, “Overall employment in management occupations is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. About 1.1 million openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently.” Also according to BLS, “The median annual wage for this group was $116,880 in May 2023, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $48,060.”

BLS also provides more information about a number of specific management jobs. For instance, it lists the role of Administrative Services and Facilities Manager. It predicts that jobs in this field will grow by about 5 percent over the next decade, which is faster than average. It says, “Demand for administrative services managers is expected to be particularly strong for those working in records and information management. As cloud computing continues to expand, these workers will have a critical role in helping organizations develop new records and information management practices and in maintaining data security.” The median pay for this position is almost $105,000

Another management job is Human Resource Manager, which is also expected to see job growth of about 5 percent over the next ten years. According to BLS, “About 15,500 openings for human resources managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.” This job pays an average salary of $136,000.

Training and Development Managers are also expected to see above-average growth--about 6 percent--and have a median salary of about $125,000. BLS explains that this growth will be a result of the continued need to develop new training methods for employees. It explains, “Innovations in training methods and learning technology are expected to continue throughout the decade, particularly for organizations with remote workers. Organizations use social media, visual simulations, mobile learning, and social networks in their training programs. Training and development managers need to continue modifying training programs, allocating budgets, and integrating these features into training programs and curriculums.”

Finally, 4 percent growth is expected for Sales Managers. BLS says, “About 43,200 openings for sales managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.” The average salary for this role is $135,000.

Learn the Skills to Become a Business Manager at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop is a New York City-based school that offers a wide variety of business classes, both in person--at its Manhattan facility--and in a live online format. Courses include comprehensive, hands-on bootcamps and certificate programs, which are designed to help you master all the skills that you’ll need in order to work as a business manager. Noble also runs a number of shorter courses where you can spend a day or two learning essential business skills like financial modeling or Excel. This school is licensed by the New York State Education Department.

  • One popular Noble Desktop option is the “MBA” Business Certificate. This course is an “MBA-style” program and it includes some of the skills taught in MBA programs. In this class, you’ll learn tools and strategies for finance, project management, marketing, and data analysis. You’ll also learn about the practical applications of generative AI, and will get access to a self-paced class that covers the basics of business insurance, employment law, and business law. This class includes the option to take electives that match your specific area of interest. Finally, it comes with eight one-on-one mentoring sessions. 
  • Another popular certificate program is the Data Analytics Certificate. In this course you’ll learn about gathering, wrangling, analyzing, and visualizing data, and you’ll work on a number of real-world projects. Both predictive and prescriptive analytics are covered, in addition to Python, Excel, Tableau, and SQL. All students also receive eight one-on-one mentoring sessions, which can be used to work on challenging concepts or for resume and portfolio advice.
  • Noble Desktop also runs many different business-related bootcamps. The Project Management Bootcamp is a popular option. This class is designed for students who want to learn more about project management. It is a combination of the school’s Level I and Level II classes and is offered at a discount. When you take the Project Management Bootcamp, you’ll learn the five phases of project management and will receive a slide deck that contains a variety of exercises. You’ll also learn about Waterfall, Critical Path, and Agile methods of project management, including popular Agile frameworks. You’ll receive a certificate of completion at the end of the class.
  • Another bootcamp option is the Chat GTP & AI for Business Bootcamp. This course is designed to give you the skills you’ll need to utilize AI in your daily business tasks. You’ll learn how to create effective prompts, manage conversations, and use advanced features like memory settings. You’ll also learn about the ethical considerations of AI. In addition, the course focuses on ways to use AI for task management, communication, and project planning. You’ll learn about automating repetitive tasks, optimizing schedules, and improving collaboration and administrative workflows.
  • Noble also offers many shorter classes focused on a number of different business skills. For example, it has a variety of short Excel classes: Excel Level 1,Level 2, and Level 3. Level 1 is focused on getting familiar with the interface, entering data, using essential formulas and functions, and creating charts. You’ll also learn how to format and print. Level 2 covers splitting and joining text, adding data validation, named ranges, database functions, adding logical statements, and using Pivot Tables. In addition, you’ll learn to use statistical functions and create advanced combo charts. In Level 3, instructors cover advanced concepts including cell locking, auditing, hotkeys, formatting for calculating dates, advanced functions, advanced analytical tools, Pivot Charts, and advanced database functions.