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Job outlook for business operations associates in the United States
Business operations associate job and salary trends over time
Business operations associate jobs over time
Business operations associate job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,189 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 268 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,249 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 3,282 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 3,099 | 0.00% |
Average business operations associate salary over time
Business operations associate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $90,667 | $43.59 | +4.0% |
| 2025 | $87,216 | $41.93 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $85,173 | $40.95 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | $84,545 | $40.65 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $83,373 | $40.08 | +1.3% |
Business operations associate jobs by state
Most common states for business operations associates
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,842 | 33% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 278 | 32% |
| 3 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 602 | 31% |
| 4 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 322 | 31% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 213 | 29% |
| 6 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 746 | 26% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 799 | 25% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 185 | 24% |
| 9 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,529 | 23% |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,341 | 23% |
| 11 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 682 | 23% |
| 12 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 2,561 | 22% |
| 13 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,372 | 22% |
| 14 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,397 | 21% |
| 15 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 936 | 21% |
| 16 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 142 | 20% |
| 17 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 577 | 19% |
| 18 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 399 | 19% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 260 | 19% |
| 20 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 726 | 18% |
Most common cities for business operations associates
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Severn | 3 | 7% | $76,817 |
| 2 | Alpharetta | 2 | 3% | $61,821 |
| 3 | Tempe | 4 | 2% | $74,527 |
| 4 | Jacksonville | 6 | 1% | $58,339 |
| 5 | Plano | 2 | 1% | $64,769 |
| 6 | Redwood City | 1 | 1% | $118,707 |
| 7 | Renton | 1 | 1% | $86,122 |
| 8 | San Francisco | 2 | 0% | $119,591 |
| 9 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $82,942 |
| 10 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $80,016 |
| 11 | Kansas City | 1 | 0% | $67,087 |
| 12 | Orlando | 1 | 0% | $58,364 |
Business Operations Associate job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of business operations associate experts
Penn State University - Harrisburg
Bradley University
Drexel University
University of Redlands
Bakersfield College
University of San Francisco
Faiza Abbas
Lecturer of ManagementPenn State University - Harrisburg
School of Business Administration
What skills stand out on Business Operations Associate resumes?
Faiza Abbas: Business associates are usually members of a team that works together to acquire and retain clients. They are the face of a business and its first connection with people; therefore, much emphasis is placed on hiring the right person. Although the job description of a business associate will vary from one company to another, there are certain skills preferred by all recruiters. A Business Management degree might be the prerequisite, but some skills will make your resume stand out. These include good communication skills to connect effectively with clients, teamwork, a positive outlook, problem-solving capabilities, use of appropriate social media, conflict management, and emotional intelligence.
What skills will help Business Operations Associates earn the most?
Faiza Abbas: In the current coronavirus scenario or post-Covid time, there are some skills that organizations are willing to pay for; many organizations have a pay-for-knowledge compensation system that bases salaries and wages on the repertoire of skills that an employee possesses and not on job classifications. Having these skills will enable you to earn more than others at the same job level.
-An understanding of how organizations operate
-Strong communication skills (oral and written)
-Analytical and critical thinking
-Problem solving
-Decision making
-Logical thinking
-Presentation and report writing skills
Candace Esken Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Management & LeadershipBradley University
Foster College of Business
What soft skills should all Business Operations Associates possess?
Candace Esken Ph.D.: Excellent communication skills are absolutely essential for management analysts. Usually, these skills are best demonstrated during the interview process with little room for error. In addition, applicants should have strong interpersonal skills because much of their job requires them to work with managers and employees of various organizations. Furthermore, soft skills such as leadership, confidence, and time management are highly valued.
What's a good job out of college for Business Operations Associates?
Susan Epstein: The best job for a recent graduate is one for which her or she is passionate and prepared. The pandemic has not changed that. Taking a job that does not meet those criteria, regardless of what is going on in the world, will not be satisfying for the long term. In addition, working for an organization whose culture aligns with your own personal values is extremely important. Your first professional position sets the tone for the rest of your career. You want to ensure that there are challenging responsibilities and room for advancement. You should also take advantage of the networking opportunities within any organization you join. Feeling good about what you are doing and who you are doing it with affects not only your performance, but also the relationships you have with those around you. This is important as you pave the way for a career, as the reputation you create now will influence the way others respond to you going forward.
What technical skills for a Business Operations Associate stand out to employers?
Susan Epstein: Technology-based skills such as software proficiency and data analysis are important in today's business environment, but obviously this will vary by industry and even job specifications. On the other hand, soft skills transcend job and industry. Strong interpersonal skills (including listening, often a weakness in our communication skill set), critical thinking, and time management make strong leaders and equally strong followers.
How do you envision technology impacting Business Operations Associates in the next 5 years?
Jill Robinson Ph.D.: Technological advances have driven change in the entertainment industry since it first began. We will continue to watch plays in person, but we will also manage content on all our devices. There will also be more changes in how practitioners do their work. They won't need to fly across the country for a meeting when they can meet online. In the past, I have been passed from Los Angeles to New York for a one-hour session. Moving forward, such expenses may no longer make sense. Organizations will need to use their resources wisely, where they will have the most significant impact.
Along with technology, the impact of COVID-19 is a mixed bag for the entertainment landscape. While Netflix has seen revenue increase, up 28% compared to the same time last year, Live Nation, which produces live entertainment, has seen the floor drop out, leaving them with a whopping 97% decrease in revenue, which puts their very survival at risk. Many in the industry believe---or at least hope---live entertainment will rebound and continue to draw crowds post-virus. The question is, when will fans feel comfortable returning to such venues? These factors suggest that what we have traditionally thought of as the entertainment industry could look very different in the next five years.
Michelle Burton
Adjunct Faculty, Business Management and Information TechnologyBakersfield College
Business Management and Information Technology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Business Operations Associates?
Michelle Burton: The enduring impact on business graduates, I foresee, is the change in how business and education will continue to be conducted via virtual formats. Those who continue their higher education will see traditional on-ground environments not return to the previous setting for most, but rather through "safer" distance learning environments.
Once graduates enter the workforce, I believe, they will embrace a virtual environment there, too, depending on the organization and industry. A large majority of businesses have already transitioned to a virtual format in a short time, that those businesses have laid a foundation and will continue to operate in very similar methods. For those businesses that have not had a negative impact on operating virtually, they have the opportunity to continue to decrease overhead, without impacting its workforce or bottom line. If anything, a virtual working environment can be a huge cost saving for some businesses, which is why working virtually will be the way of the future for the business.
Dr. Richard Greggory Johnson III
Department Chair & Professor Director, USF Institutional Review Board (IRB/Ethics) Social Equity Fulbright ScholarUniversity of San Francisco
Department of Public & Nonprofit Management
How do you envision technology impacting Business Operations Associates in the next 5 years?
Dr. Richard Greggory Johnson III: I teach a graduate course called Emerging Technologies, and there is no doubt that tech is here to stay, and graduates will have to be more adaptable to the changes tech will bring in the workplace.