The best entrepreneur jobs are flexible, versatile, and creative, and the highest-paying jobs for entrepreneurs require technical skills that are transferable to the project of building a business from scratch. While aspiring entrepreneurs are not typically fond of traditional jobs, these other jobs help them build the financial independence necessary to start their own ventures.
This is where entrepreneurial careers come in. The best jobs for entrepreneurs are often self-employed roles, which allow them to use their independence and business savvy as a source of income. But some of these jobs are concentrated in high-octane industries like tech and finance. In this article, we break down the best jobs for becoming a successful entrepreneur.
What Is an Entrepreneur?
An entrepreneur is a person that generates value through personal business pursuits. They understand that the conventional job market is not for them, so they pursue business ideas that allow them to have more control over their time. Entrepreneurs value creativity, which they use to translate their ideas into successful ventures.
Sometimes, while entrepreneurs are pursuing their main projects, they may take up side hustles to support their dream or work a high-paying job in a field related to their business idea. They enjoy being in environments that foster rather than stifle their creativity, allow them to network, and provide stable sources of income while their businesses get off the ground.
How Much Does an Entrepreneur Make?
An entrepreneur makes an annual salary of $98,830 on average, according to Indeed. Some entrepreneurs make much less on paper, especially if they own their own business and give themselves a reduced salary for tax purposes. As with most things, more education can increase your earning potential. According to PayScale, people who hold MBAs with an entrepreneurship focus stand to earn an average of $109,000 in annual earnings.
High-Paying Entrepreneur Jobs to Consider: In Brief
The highest-paying entrepreneur jobs include managerial, consulting, and tech roles. All of these jobs are well suited to aspiring entrepreneurs because they require analytical and critical thinking skills. Below are some of the best jobs for entrepreneurs to pursue while improving their skills and working on their next venture. The salary information was taken from PayScale.
| Job Title | Average Salary | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Product Manager | $104,651 | $142,000 |
| Data Scientist | $99,344 | $138,000 |
| IT Manager | $91,280 | $137,000 |
| Business Consultant | $79,542 | $120,000 |
| UX Designer | $77,664 | $112,000 |
| Software Developer | $77,104 | $113,000 |
| PR Manager | $75,496 | $110,000 |
| Civil Engineer | $72,669 | $106,000 |
| Management Analyst | $72,390 | $110,000 |
| Marketing Manager | $71,283 | $106,000 |
| Systems Analyst | $69,743 | $99,000 |
| Sales Manager | $67,192 | $120,000 |
| Financial Analyst | $65,728 | $87,000 |
| Web Developer | $63,003 | $93,000 |
| Social Media Manager | $56,213 | $85,000 |
Best Entrepreneur Jobs That Pay Well: In Depth
These 15 examples of entrepreneur jobs share one thing in common: They keep entrepreneurs’ minds focused and sharp, keeping the door open to becoming their own boss. Below is a summary of the best entrepreneur jobs, what they entail, and why they are ideal landing spots for anyone who hopes to start a successful business someday.
Product Manager
A product manager is a tech job that combines coding and software development skills with project management, leadership, and mentorship skills. Because they need to both understand the products themselves and be able to market them to a specific customer base, this is one of the best jobs for entrepreneurs looking for an excuse to practice putting great ideas into effect.
Data Scientist
No list of entrepreneur jobs would be complete without mentioning data scientists. As one of the most lucrative entrepreneur opportunities, it is a fast-growing job that puts inventive minds in an ideal position to glimpse big-picture economic trends through the lens of big data. A future entrepreneur could use such insights to identify opportunities and develop a business plan.
IT Manager
An IT manager works to ensure that a company’s networks and servers work seamlessly to guarantee an uninterrupted flow of information. They also design systems that provide companies with better data organization. The combination of management skills and IT knowledge that one cultivates in this job makes it a perfect entrepreneur job idea.
Business Consultant
Business consultants are hired, usually as independent contractors, to advise companies on their internal business processes. They help strategize and set goals for a company, executing projects in accordance with specific needs and requirements. The typical education needed for this job is a college degree in finance, which is a great credential for an entrepreneur to have.
UX Designer
User experience (UX) designers are web designers who specifically cater to the psychology of users as they’re navigating a web page, working to optimize the overall experience. To do their jobs well, user experience (UX) designers are required to conduct user research and understand how potential consumers behave. This is also a necessary skill for entrepreneurs.
Software Developer
Software developers create applications using their extensive knowledge of programming languages and different types of devices. Moreover, they have to be willing to collaborate with teams to meet clear deadlines and objectives. The computer science bachelor’s degree you need for this job is relevant for any tech entrepreneur, and according to BLS, jobs for software developers are expected to increase by 26 percent over the next decade.
PR Manager
Public relations (PR) managers supervise the creation of marketing tools to boost a company’s image. They plan and budget PR events, seek to mold the public perception of the company, and develop compelling content for advertising purposes. Employment for public relations managers is expected to grow by eight percent over the next decade, according to BLS. This is one of the best entrepreneur jobs because it shows you how to handle marketing for a company.
Civil Engineer
Civil engineers supervise various infrastructure projects. Like entrepreneurs, they ensure that each project is done in a timely manner and everything is done within budget. You’re going to need an engineering degree and a professional engineering license if you want to have a strong civil engineer resume. In terms of job outlook, the employment growth of civil engineers is expected to rise by seven percent over the next few years, according to BLS.
Management Analyst
Management analysts are hired by companies to measure key performance indicators, define goals, and simplify the workflow of a business. One entrepreneurial skill required for this job is creativity. Companies look for people who can solve their problems in a creative manner. The job outlook for management analysts is expected to grow by 11 percent, according to BLS.
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers develop advertising content that serves to promote an organization’s products or services. They’re adept in various methods of marketing, both through digital and print media, making this one of the best jobs for entrepreneurs. They also are in charge of launching and creating marketing campaigns. To become a marketing manager, you’re going to need a degree in advertising or marketing and experience in the marketing field.
Systems Analyst
Similar to an IT manager, a systems analyst works on a company’s information technology infrastructure, dissecting it to see if there are any weaknesses or inefficiencies. A systems analyst, however, doesn’t need managerial skills, so the job is easier to get. That being said, an in-depth understanding of computer systems is valuable for a tech entrepreneur to have.
Sales Manager
Sales managers supervise sales representatives, handling transactions from both customers and distributors. Moreover, they oversee sales activities, prepare sales budgets, and create sales projections. The educational requirements typically include a Bachelor’s Degree in Sales or Marketing. Work experience in sales management is needed. Sales manager employment is expected to grow five percent over the next few years, according to BLS.
Financial Analyst
The duties of a financial analyst typically include evaluating financial data, checking legal documents like financial statements, performing financial forecasting, and monitoring a company’s overall financial health. Becoming a financial analyst usually involves getting a degree in finance or accounting, and BLS shows that employment for financial analysts is projected to grow by nine percent in the next decade.
Web Developer
Web developers create secure websites for specific business needs, fix bugs, and perform site maintenance. You can enroll in a web developer bootcamp and develop your coding skills to become a web developer. Web developer employment is expected to grow by 30 percent in the coming years, making this a safe and lucrative spot for entrepreneurs to start their careers.
Social Media Manager
Social media managers are public relations professionals who oversee a company’s social media accounts. They develop campaigns to improve the company’s image with potential customers, writing and authorizing social media posts to that end. The user engagement required to be successful in this job is a great entrepreneurial skill for any type of business.
Top Entrepreneurial Career Paths
Entrepreneurial careers can start anywhere, though some jobs are better and more lucrative springboards than others. What all prospective entrepreneurs need is a clear place to set up shop, an industry in which to focus their efforts. If entrepreneur is the career you’re after, here are five of the best industry grooves to be nestled into when your next big idea strikes:
- Big tech. An entrepreneur with coding skills should aim for a job in the technology industry. Silicon Valley is famously full of creative minds, and if you can manage to get a job at the likes of Google or Apple, the network to which you’ll have access will facilitate your decision to pursue entrepreneurship as a career.
- The startup circuit. If you can’t land a job in big tech, a tech startup is the next best thing. These companies are small enough to give you direct access to the founders, who have invaluable experience coming up with business ideas and talking to investors.
- Big finance. Working in the finance sector is one of the best careers to start your own business. JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and Bank of America are places where young professionals can go to understand how money fuels the economy and to network with finance executives who are eager to invest in exciting projects.
- Sales and marketing. The customer service experience you can get managing a client base is an extremely practical commodity for an aspiring entrepreneur to have. Careers for entrepreneurs often begin in sales because it is an industry where managerial positions are plentiful and workers can discover a knack for selling products.
- Self-employment. Freelance work offers the best flexibility for entrepreneurs. It harnesses a sense of self-reliance, which is key to the entrepreneurial mindset. Many entrepreneurs enjoy the freelancing lifestyle, which allows them to become digital nomads who can travel while working remotely.
Tips for Finding Success as an Entrepreneur
If you want to know how to become an entrepreneur, here are some tips and tricks for you. From lucrative side business ideas to online courses, potential entrepreneurs can try a lot of things because of their flexible and adaptable natures.
- Try freelancing. Try freelancing websites like Upwork or Fiverr. A wide range of contract positions, such as freelance writers and graphic designers, are available on these platforms for any young entrepreneur looking for passive income and more experience.
- Take online courses. Seek online courses for entrepreneurship to further your knowledge. Online courses are a great resource to hone your skills in entrepreneurship and become a successful entrepreneur.
- Start a business. Try to get a business idea off the ground, like a drop shipping business, a food truck business, or a coffee shop in your neighborhood. This could become a decent side business that could be another source of income or grow into something larger over time.
- Believe in yourself. If you think you have a legitimate business idea that you want to execute, trust your gut and do it. While you also need to gain as much knowledge and work experience in your chosen industry as possible, you won’t get anywhere if you don’t have dedication and commitment in spades.
- Connect with people. Find like-minded people through social sites like LinkedIn. Build a network of other entrepreneurs and gain knowledge and expertise from them. Acquire relevant resource materials from them to help you in your entrepreneurial journey.
Overall Job Outlook for Entrepreneurs
An entrepreneur’s job outlook is great in 2023 due to the overall health of small businesses in the United States. According to Bank of America’s 2023 Small Business Owner Report, two-thirds of small business owners expect to increase revenue in the coming year, and over 70 percent believe their businesses are strong enough to withstand a recession.
Suffice it to say that it’s a good time for entrepreneurs to start and maintain a business. If you’re hoping to start a major business one day, you can generate capital by building wealth in one of the best entrepreneur jobs, talking to investors, or trying out a lucrative side business idea on a smaller scale. Once you’ve acquired enough knowledge, you can venture from there.
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Best Entrepreneur Jobs FAQ
No, you don’t necessarily need a degree to be an entrepreneur. However, having a college degree can open you to a lot more job opportunities, including some of the best jobs for entrepreneurs. There is no best degree for an entrepreneur, but a bachelor’s degree in a tech discipline and an MBA can certainly give you an advantage when looking for potential work.
One reason to work for a company instead of being an entrepreneur is that entrepreneurship is risky. Working for someone else is a safer bet if what you want is a stable income and benefits. Entrepreneurship is a high-risk, high-reward proposition that could make you famous one day, but according to Forbes, 90 percent of startups fail.
Entrepreneurs become successful through trial and error. They never gave up on their legitimate business ideas no matter the costs. Develop a definition of what success means to you and build a plan and a system to reach that goal.
The main difference between an entrepreneur and a businessman is that an entrepreneur will bring a fresh idea into the market while a businessman will start a business with other people’s ideas. In short, an entrepreneur is a market leader while a businessman is a market player.
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