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Job outlook for global business managers in the United States
Global business manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected global business manager job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 33,700 new jobs for global business managers are projected over the next decade.
Global business manager salaries have increased 8% for global business managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 7,394 global business managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 151,779 active global business manager job openings in the US.
The average global business manager salary is $115,352.
Are global business manager jobs in demand?
Global business manager job and salary trends over time
Global business manager jobs over time
Global business manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,394 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 6,620 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 6,496 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 5,991 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 5,614 | 0.00% |
Average global business manager salary over time
Global business manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $115,352 | $55.46 | +3.9% |
| 2025 | $111,035 | $53.38 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $108,958 | $52.38 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $107,287 | $51.58 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | $106,435 | $51.17 | +1.9% |
Global business manager jobs by state
Most common states for global business managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 637 | 92% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,395 | 35% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,767 | 32% |
| 4 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 314 | 30% |
| 5 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 307 | 29% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,060 | 26% |
| 7 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 498 | 26% |
| 8 | Vermont | 623,657 | 164 | 26% |
| 9 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,783 | 24% |
| 10 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 211 | 24% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 2,087 | 23% |
| 12 | Alaska | 739,795 | 172 | 23% |
| 13 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,880 | 22% |
| 14 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 697 | 22% |
| 15 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 645 | 22% |
| 16 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 296 | 22% |
| 17 | California | 39,536,653 | 8,487 | 21% |
| 18 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,743 | 21% |
| 19 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 629 | 21% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 198 | 21% |
Most common cities for global business managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newark | 1 | 2% | $133,717 |
| 2 | Waltham | 1 | 2% | $118,469 |
| 3 | Mountain View | 1 | 1% | $133,644 |
| 4 | Santa Clara | 1 | 1% | $133,578 |
| 5 | Wilmington | 1 | 1% | $111,742 |
| 6 | New York | 3 | 0% | $121,368 |
| 7 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $118,712 |
| 8 | Dallas | 1 | 0% | $96,485 |
| 9 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $134,024 |
| 10 | Tampa | 1 | 0% | $93,512 |
Global Business Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of global business manager experts
Georgia State University
Drexel University
Utah State University
University Of Puget Sound
Wayne State University
Catawba College
Pennsylvania State University - Greater Allegheny
Landmark College
University of West Georgia
Tiffin University
Augsburg University
Northeastern University
What general advice would you give to a Global Business Manager?
Andrew Spicer: Resiliency is a particularly important skill for international business and career progression. Resiliency – the ability to recover quickly in the face of obstacles and failures – has always been a critical part of successful international assignments. The only constant of working abroad is that there will be miscommunication and mistakes. Successful international business careers depend on the ability to learn from these inevitable setbacks to improve over time. The constant change in the global business environment also leads to the demand for resiliency among international business specialists. An important role for those with a global mindset is to help companies adapt to the massive disruption to the global business environment for international trade and investment presently taking place across the world.
What Global Business Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Andrew Spicer: If you know another language and have deep knowledge of foreign markets, then a good strategy is to deliberately seek out multinational companies that would value these international capabilities. This returns to advice to seek out companies with a strong international presence and an interest in hiring and fostering international expertise.
What will help Global Business Managers increase their earning potential?
Andrew Spicer: My first piece of advice for a graduating college student who wishes to pursue a career in international business is to ask lots of questions about the potential for international assignments before accepting a job. Does the company send people abroad for work assignments? For how long? To which places? How do international assignments fit into long-term career progression in the company? Besides talking to the company recruiter, I would also advise to talk directly to people who have already completed an international assignment with the company.
What general advice would you give to a Global Business Manager?
Salomao De Farias: An International Business Analyst/Professional performs a variety of tasks that contribute significantly to understanding and navigating global markets. On a daily basis, these may include analyzing data trends and market information to identify patterns and insights that help in making informed decisions about market entry, product development, and other strategic moves. Also, IB analysts will work in compiling findings into detailed reports and presentations that communicate insights and recommendations clearly to stakeholders, they will be capable to use data visualization to simplify the complex set of data that they may face when analyzing a country's market potential. They will assist in the development of strategic plans based on analysis to help the company maximize its international potential and opportunities. A key responsibility is working closely with various departments (such as marketing, sales, and logistics) to ensure coherent strategies are implemented effectively across all sectors of the business. It is important to keep track of international economic and trade regulations, monitoring geopolitical impacts on international markets, and understanding international legal frameworks to adjust business strategies accordingly. I would say that for someone entering the field, initial activities typically involve more focused tasks such as data collection, basic analysis under supervision, and learning the specific technologies and methods used in their organization. They may also spend considerable time gaining understanding of the specific markets their company is interested in or already operating within.
What Global Business Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Salomao De Farias: As businesses increasingly operate on an international scale, the demand for professionals who can analyze and navigate international markets continues to grow. Adding to this, the advancement in data analytics tools has enhanced the capability to collect and analyze extensive amounts of data, making international business analysis more efficient and insightful. AI tools will help in this task. Understanding complex global markets is crucial as companies seek to expand or improve their global footprint amidst fluctuating trade regulations and geopolitical tensions. After the COVID pandemic and the disruption of global markets, more than ever there is a need for professional that can understand and navigate the complexities of IB.
What will help Global Business Managers increase their earning potential?
Salomao De Farias: Likes: IB analysts often see a direct impact of their work on company decisions and strategy, which can be highly satisfying. IB roles offer varied problems to solve, which can make every day interesting and intellectually stimulating. Working with international markets offers exposure to different cultures and business practices, enhancing personal and professional growth. Travelling internationally, getting to know different countries, cities and cultures around the globe. Dislikes: I wouldn’t call dislikes, rather challenges. I will start pointing that the stakes are high, as incorrect analysis could lead to poor strategic decisions. This pressure can be stressful. Also, navigating various international regulations, economic conditions, and cultural nuances can be daunting and complex. Depending on the markets covered, working hours might be irregular to overlap with different time zones.
Parfait Kouassi PhD.
Associate Teaching ProfessorDrexel University
Bilingual, Multilingual, And Multicultural Education
What general advice would you give to a Global Business Manager?
Parfait Kouassi PhD.: In the next 3-5 years, bilingual and multicultural skills will likely become as indispensable as having access to transportation. Just as individuals without access to a personal vehicle can rely on public transit or ridesharing services, those lacking multilingual abilities will find themselves at a severe disadvantage in their careers. The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, and the ability to communicate across languages and navigate different cultural contexts will be essential for professional growth, success, and mobility.
What Global Business Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Parfait Kouassi PhD.: Maximizing your salary potential when starting your career with multilingual and multicultural skills requires a strategic approach. While some companies offer language incentives, the true value of these skills extends far beyond financial compensation. Multilingual and multicultural individuals enjoy a wealth of social fulfillment by fostering connections, building bridges, and gaining deeper insights into diverse perspectives and ways of life. If you want to maximize your financial gain and your chosen field does not directly reward language proficiency, you should be aware that numerous opportunities exist across various industries that actively seek out and compensate individuals with your unique skill set. Fields such as international business, diplomacy, education, healthcare, and tourism highly value bilingual and multicultural individuals for their ability to facilitate communication, build bridges, and drive innovation in diverse contexts.
What will help Global Business Managers increase their earning potential?
Parfait Kouassi PhD.: My advice would be to embrace these valuable competencies as a competitive edge. Research shows that individuals with multilingual and multicultural backgrounds possess enhanced cognitive abilities, including improved working memory and mental flexibility for solving problems in innovative ways. They should actively seek out opportunities that allow them to leverage these unique strengths and pursue their passions while making meaningful contributions to their chosen field.
Brent Allred
Professor of International Business and Strategic ManagementUtah State University
Marketing
What general advice would you give to a Global Business Manager?
Brent Allred: As noted above, for international business careers and job opportunities, understanding how the global marketplace works is critical. This is necessary at the macro and micro levels. You need to understand key global trends, but also factors that influence specific countries and even subsegments within those countries. The critical skills of Accounting, Finance, Marketing, and Operations will continue to be important. The rise of AI is changing the way I am teaching my International Business and International Marketing courses because it is changing the way business is done. I still need my students to gain the skills and understand how to conduct critical analyses for international business decisions, but AI will significantly change and improve the quality of the information and analyses. It must also be validated and not be taken without some skepticism. The students need to learn how to harness AI and add value from it in ways that it cannot provide. Otherwise, they are not going to be needed.
What Global Business Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Brent Allred: I get this question often from my students that wish to have international careers and job opportunities. One of the reasons we suspended our International Business (IB) major was that we found that not a single company was coming to campus to specifically recruit students with IB degrees. At the undergraduate level, companies are more focused hiring students with function skills from degrees like Accounting, Finance, Operations, Marketing, Data Analytics, etc. Few companies are looking for fresh undergraduates to come advise in creating and implementing high level international strategies. Instead, they look to those in the company and industry that have extensive experience. Due to the expense of sending employees abroad, fresh undergraduates are also not the prime candidates for international assignments. While Executive Ex-patriot assignments are declining (due to expense and the increased availability of local national talent), companies that wish to have employees acquire international experience are sending more mid-level managers for international assignments. This allows them to send high potential employees that have developed the understanding and talent of the company/industry/specific field to enhance their value to the company with international experience. So, the advice that I give my students is to first focus on the functional business degree that interests them most and complement this with an International Business Minor or our new Certificate. They should then seek out companies that have a global reach and provide international opportunities to employees. Once on the job, excel at that job, while also seeking out opportunities that will expose them to global projects and managers that can result in international opportunities.
What will help Global Business Managers increase their earning potential?
Brent Allred: As stated above, I feel that students should focus first on establishing a solid job/career within a company, typically an American company for US students. International assignments and experience within a company will only enhance your value. Pursuing international jobs directly in countries that pay as locals is not a recommended path for maximizing salary. It could be a good path for gaining experience, but many countries do not pay as well as the US and the cost of living may be high. I led a student experience to London this past March and while the students came away with a sense that they could pursue jobs there, they also learned that they would not be paid as well in a very expensive city. A colleague of mine taught at the London Business School and told me that his salary paid for rent and his consulting paid for food. It is wonderful to live and work in places like London for a couple of years, but that may not help you get ahead financially. On the other hand, the experience may prove invaluable for a career and future opportunities. It should also help make you a better global citizen, which may be the most important thing to be.
What general advice would you give to a Global Business Manager?
Dr. Kim Roberts: Business-related occupations offer attractive salaries and offer a variety of disciplines, such as accounting, contract management, cybersecurity, finance, human resources, logistics, marketing, management, operations, sales, and more. However, business careers are often demanding, requiring long work weeks and travel.
Skills
leadership
communication
innovation
adaptation
critical thinking
problem solving
emotional intelligence
empathy
teamwork
cultural competence
conflict management
ethics and social responsibility
What Global Business Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kim Roberts: Business professionals lead organizations by focused efforts that revolve around products/services, processes, and people. Business professionals work to ensure the firm's products and/or services meet customer expectations, with an eye toward an ever-changing market. They manage processes that produce or support the firm's products. This requires the ability to analyze data to make informed decisions, to drive continuous improvement, and to solve problems through critical thinking. Successful business professionals must also create climates that promote teamwork and foster collaboration.
What will help Global Business Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kim Roberts: Now is a good time to enter business professions because of the projected growth of employment opportunities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Overall employment in business and financial occupations is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032." Furthermore, the growth of online learning and online degrees means a full-time job and family commitments are not roadblocks to earning a business degree.
Andreas Udbye Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity Of Puget Sound
School of Business and Leadership
What soft skills should all Global Business Managers possess?
Andreas Udbye Ph.D.: Collaboration and teamwork skills are crucial, as well as the ability to focus and meet deadlines. Although it is nice to mention that you are a good multi-tasker, most people are these days, and employers seem to like people who can stay the course and complete tasks on time and with high quality. Tenacity and accuracy are other attractive attributes.
What skills will help Global Business Managers earn the most?
Andreas Udbye Ph.D.: If you are only after the money, computer programming skills will most likely provide you with the most immediate payback, but not all of us like to be glued to the computer and keyboard all day, so being paid a little less for a job with more variety and interaction is probably worth it for most who aim for management or leadership positions in the longer run.
Attila Yaprak Ph.D.
Professor of Marketing and International Business, Director, Doctoral ProgramsWayne State University
Mike Ilitch School of Business
What hard/technical skills are most important for Global Business Managers?
Attila Yaprak Ph.D.: Functional area knowledge, i.e., in (international) marketing, finance, strategic management, etc.; world area knowledge, i.e., expertise in West Africa and digital facilities.
What skills will help Global Business Managers earn the most?
Attila Yaprak Ph.D.: Portfolio of the above three with different weights depending on context.
Dr. Elizabeth Homan Ph.D.
Professors, Department ChairCatawba College
Theatre Arts
What soft skills should all Global Business Managers possess?
Dr. Elizabeth Homan Ph.D.: Networking, networking, networking. And being a nice, friendly, honest human being. Flexibility and a level head in the face of persistent change. Resilience and an ability to work with the conditions in which you find yourself. Working with what you have, not what you wish you had.
Bernie Cerasaro
Assistant Teaching ProfessorPennsylvania State University - Greater Allegheny
Business Department
What skills stand out on Global Business Manager resumes?
Bernie Cerasaro: Skills employers would be looking for would be functional skills and interpersonal skills. Functional skills should stand out on a resume and be aligned to the business job in question. For example, if focused on marketing positions, marketing skills such as data analytics, market research, consumer behavior, global marketing, and professional selling skills would be areas for which employers would be looking. If the job market is looking for someone in accounting, then functional skills that would stand out would be intermediate financial accounting skills and courses on taxation and auditing. For those seeking positions in project management or supply chain management, skills that would stand out would encompass subject matter such as project management, portfolio management, operations planning and control, purchasing and materials management, and knowledge of ERP type systems and other business processes.
Skill sets can be enhanced via various types of certification. For example, those interested in accounting might pursue a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license, which requires 150 credits. As most universities require 120 credits for a bachelor's degree in business, a CPA would require just an additional 30 credits, which students can start accumulating while still at college. Project management certification is also an opportunity to enhance the aforementioned skills and would certainly stand out on an applicant's resume. The Project Management Institute (PMI) promotes PMP certification, which validates that you are highly skilled in soft skills to lead project teams and have the required technical aspects of managing projects. Some universities are working with the PMI to have PMI-approved courses. Approved courses are used toward the PMP training hours required to sit for the exam. For example, Penn State University has received approval for two such courses, Portfolio Management and Organizations and Project Planning and Resource Management.
Due to the high rate of interaction with the global marketplace and the complexity of international business, managers are looking more closely at applicants who have some familiarity with global markets and international culture, such as applicants who may have study abroad experience, traveled internationally, speak a foreign language or have lived or worked in another country.
What skills stand out on Global Business Manager resumes?
Dr. Jeanette Landin: Skills that stand out on contemporary business manager resumes are soft skills. Business managers indeed need insight and knowledge about the business and hard skills, including financial and other technical skills. What stands out on contemporary, successful business manager resumes are their soft skills. Interpersonal skills are atop the list because business is all about people working with other people to achieve a common goal: The business's mission. The people skills of communication, collaboration, and delegation are a vital part of the manager's ability to influence colleagues, delegate work, and achieve the company's mission.
Thomas Gainey Ph.D.
Chair and ProfessorUniversity of West Georgia
Department of Management in the Richards College of Business
What soft skills should all Global Business Managers possess?
Thomas Gainey Ph.D.: Soft skills are critical as many workers continue to work from home or at least work more of a hybrid schedule. The ability to work effectively with other individuals, sometimes from a distance, has never been more critical. Those individuals who exhibit excellent communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills will likely be in high demand.
What skills will help Global Business Managers earn the most?
Thomas Gainey Ph.D.: With such a growing reliance on technology and data analytics, skills related to these areas will likely command higher salaries. Individuals with training in areas such as software engineering, digital marketing, web design, and quantitative analysis should find well-paid opportunities in the job market.
Dr. Bonnie Tiell
Professor of Sport ManagementTiffin University
School of Business
What skills will help Global Business Managers earn the most?
Dr. Bonnie Tiell: Skills helping managers earn the most are those that impact the bottom line - it depends on the organization's needs, but those that can produce or increase revenue will earn more --- sales!
George Dierberger
MBA Director, Associate ProfessorAugsburg University
Business Administration
What will help Global Business Managers increase their earning potential?
George Dierberger: Some early advice is to get an internship while you are in school in a multinational company. Secondly, given recent graduates inexperienced, they may want to get an entry-level position in a large corporation and network their way to the international division. Rarely will a company take a recent graduate and plug them into the complex world of international business. Being bilingual will open some doors right away.
What general advice would you give to a Global Business Manager?
Ravi Sarathy Ph.D.: Around 75% of the global market lies outside the US, so firms that want to grow sales need to understand and market to foreign customers. Similarly, with the restructuring of supply chains formerly concentrated in China, firms need to analyze alternative sources of supply in other counties such as India, Brazil, Mexico, Kenya, Morocco and elsewhere, find and qualify suppliers, and negotiate supply contracts with them, taking into account transportation and logistics, customs duties, economic and political stability, and so forth. Students who graduate with an understanding of how IB affects a business based in the US will be able to offer additional analytical and decision-making skills which will be helpful to their potential employers. In a complex technological world, firms will often seek overseas alliance and joint venture partners, and new recruits who have an understanding of and can help manage economic, political and cultural differences will be invaluable.
What Global Business Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ravi Sarathy Ph.D.: I am unaware of such a position - International Business Analyst. IB is intertwined with most business functions in companies that do international manufacturing or marketing, conduct R&D; with overseas partners, acquire human resource talent from outside the US or depend on global supply chains. Thus, students who work in one of the functional disciplines mentioned above, as well as in support functions, such as Finance or Accounting, will need to have some understanding of how IB affects their responsibilities and assignments. For example, firms marketing overseas will need to understand currency fluctuations, hedge receivables and payables, adjust pricing in local currencies and assess longer-term trends in currency fluctuations in making foreign investment and foreign borrowing decisions.
What will help Global Business Managers increase their earning potential?
Ravi Sarathy Ph.D.: Positions involving IB are multi-faceted, requiring the integration of skills from different disciplines, and bringing to bear not only business thinking, but an understanding of politics, ideologies, Governmental regulations, history, languages, in sum, a multidisciplinary approach beyond just business. This can be exciting, rewarding, and one can always continue learning, by being exposed to new situations, countries, people and problems. The downside is that IB requires an open minds, a willingness to accept greater uncertainty and volatility, and readiness to work with foreign firms, as equal partners, sharing decision making, and trusting them. IB has more uncontrollable factors, and a firm and the team and an individual’s performance will all be affected by such unpredictability. Someone well trained in IB and with growing IB experience can help reduce this unpredictability, make it more manageable.