Best Jobs For Former Owners [2026]

In today’s evolving job market, former business owners face unique challenges and opportunities as they transition into new career paths. Many individuals who once thrived as owners are exploring alternative roles, reflecting a significant shift in workforce dynamics.

While enrollment in business-related programs remains steady, the allure of entrepreneurship has waned for many, prompting a reconsideration of career aspirations. This raises an important question:

What career paths are former owners pursuing now?

To find out, we analyzed thousands of resumes from individuals who have transitioned from ownership roles to discover the most common jobs they are now filling. We focused on the top 100 positions to highlight key trends.

Given the intriguing array of jobs that former owners are taking on, we’ve selected a few standout opportunities to explore further.

Top Careers for Former Business Owners

While the appeal of these roles may vary, it’s undeniable that they present exciting prospects for those looking to leverage their skills in new environments.

Explore the comprehensive list of jobs below.

Detailed Ranking of Common Careers for Former Business Owners

Rank	Job Title	%
1	Project Manager	1.32%
2	Manager	1.24%
3	Sales Associate	1.01%
4	General Manager	0.97%
5	Office Manager	0.94%
6	Customer Service Representative	0.86%
7	Operations Manager	0.77%
8	Administrative Assistant	0.75%
9	Sales Representative	0.73%
10	Supervisor	0.66%
11	Consultant	0.62%
12	Store Manager	0.6%
13	Assistant Manager	0.56%
14	Account Executive	0.51%
15	Sales Manager	0.5%
16	Owner/operator	0.48%
17	Maintenance Technician	0.47%
18	Substitute Teacher	0.44%
19	Teacher	0.44%
20	Vice President	0.42%
21	Internship	0.4%
22	President	0.4%
23	Technician	0.39%
24	Volunteer	0.39%
25	Account Manager	0.39%
26	Driver	0.36%
27	Co-Owner	0.32%
28	Director	0.32%
29	Superintendent	0.3%
30	Server	0.29%
31	Sales Consultant	0.29%
32	Program Manager	0.29%
33	Chief Executive Officer	0.27%
34	Owner/manager	0.27%
35	Marketing Director	0.27%
36	Cashier	0.26%
37	Team Leader	0.26%
38	Marketing Manager	0.26%
39	Business Developer	0.25%
40	Associate	0.24%
41	Controller	0.24%
42	Registered Nurse	0.23%
43	Partner	0.23%
44	Instructor	0.23%
45	Realtor	0.23%
46	Property Manager	0.23%
47	Security Officer	0.22%
48	Service Manager	0.22%
49	Maintenance Supervisor	0.22%
50	Senior Project Manager	0.22%
51	Specialist	0.21%
52	Information Technology Manager	0.21%
53	President/owner	0.21%
54	Operations Director	0.2%
55	Executive Director	0.2%
56	Graphic Designer	0.2%
57	Customer Service Trainer	0.2%
58	Field Service Technician	0.2%
59	Foreman	0.2%
60	Service Technician	0.19%
61	Executive Assistant	0.19%
62	Human Resources Manager	0.19%
63	Business Development Manager	0.19%
64	Systems Administrator	0.19%
65	Accountant	0.18%
66	Production Manager	0.18%
67	Office Assistant	0.18%
68	Principal	0.18%
69	Truck Driver	0.18%
70	Real Estate Agent	0.18%
71	Agent	0.18%
72	Director Of Sales	0.18%
73	Welder	0.18%
74	Receptionist	0.17%
75	Sales/marketing	0.17%
76	Machine Operator	0.17%
77	Human Resources Coordinator	0.17%
78	Construction Manager	0.17%
79	Technical Support Specialist	0.16%
80	Senior Software Engineer	0.16%
81	Carpenter	0.16%
82	Recruiter	0.16%
83	Chief Finance Officer	0.16%
84	Facilities Manager	0.14%
85	Assistant	0.14%
86	Computer Technician	0.14%
87	Electrician	0.14%
88	Administrator	0.14%
89	Operator	0.14%
90	Territory Manager	0.14%
91	Business Analyst	0.14%
92	Adjunct Instructor	0.14%
93	Mechanic	0.14%
94	Business Manager	0.14%
95	Regional Sales Manager	0.13%
96	Adjunct Professor	0.13%
97	Coordinator	0.13%
98	Delivery Driver	0.13%
99	Chief Operating Officer	0.13%
100	Branch Manager	0.13%

Common Career Paths for Former Business Owners

These roles not only capitalize on the skills honed during ownership but also serve as valuable stepping stones to further career advancements.

Methodology for Identifying Top Careers for Former Owners

Utilizing data from our extensive database of over 7 million resumes, we examined all entries that identified ownership experience. We analyzed the subsequent job titles that appeared in their career histories, ranking them by frequency.

To identify unique and noteworthy positions, we sifted through the ranked list for roles that:

Appeared in less than 1% of all job placements
Were not included in the top 100 most common jobs identified

This approach ensured we highlighted both prevalent and distinctive career opportunities for former owners.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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