The best jobs for entrepreneurs are flexible, versatile, and creative. Most of the highest-paying jobs for entrepreneurs include technical skills that involve strategies in business development.
People with an entrepreneurial mindset are not fond of traditional jobs and working setups offered by the labor market. They’re self-employed workers, using their independence and entrepreneurial skills as a source of income. Entrepreneur jobs include different types of freelance work like graphic design, drop shipping, or affiliate marketing.
Typically, an entrepreneur is a business owner or someone with different kinds of business ideas waiting to be executed. Successful entrepreneurs have a firm grasp of the best business practices. Entrepreneur careers are built on the foundation of having a business idea and planning to accomplish it to fruition.
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 go after different kinds of business ideas that allow them to have more control over their time.
Entrepreneurs value creativity as a core business attribute that drives them to build a distinct source of income. They like to use their valuable skills to transform their ideas into successful ventures.
Sometimes, while they pursue their projects, they may take up work to support them and be part of an environment that fosters their creativity, allows them to network, and provides a stable source of income while their business lifts off.
What Jobs Are Available to Entrepreneurs?
The jobs that are available to entrepreneurs can vary from freelance work to mid-level management jobs. Freelance work or contractual work offers the best flexibility for entrepreneurs. It captures the essence of “working for yourself”, a key factor in the entrepreneurial mindset.
Self-employed workers have high self-reliance to ensure that their projects are completed. Many entrepreneurs opt for a digital nomad lifestyle that allows them to travel while they work remotely.
Freelance work can vary in different industries. An entrepreneur who has a knack for the arts can pursue graphic design, or they can seek work in the marketing field. If they have coding skills they can aim for a job in the technology industry. They can also work as consultants, or take up managerial positions to help them further develop their entrepreneurial skills.
Companies That Hire Aspiring Entrepreneurs
- Deloitte. Deloitte is a multinational consultancy company based in San Francisco, California. It offers different types of job titles for aspiring entrepreneurs.
- Squarespace. Based in New York City, Squarespace is a website builder and hosting company specifically designed for ecommerce stores. The job offers it has are perfect for entrepreneurs who want to start their own ecommerce site.
- Slack. Slack is a messaging application specially catered for businesses. It is based in San Francisco, California, and offers jobs that are a great fit for aspiring entrepreneurs.
- HubSpot. A multinational company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, HubSpot offers different software products for marketing and sales purposes. The jobs offered here are perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs.
- DigitalOcean. A cloud computing company, DigitalOcean is based in New York City and offers a wide variety of job openings. This is a great place for aspiring tech entrepreneurs who’d like to know more about software infrastructure.
10 Highest-Paying Jobs for Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs are a perfect fit for managerial and consulting roles because of their analytical skills and high level of critical thinking. Below are some of the best jobs for entrepreneurs to pursue while improving their skills and working on their next great venture. The salary information below was taken from Payscale.
| Job Title | Average Salary | Top 10% Salary |
| IT Manager | $88,948 | $134,000 |
| Business Consultant | $75,863 | $116,000 |
| Software Developer | $73,099 | $107,000 |
| PR Manager | $71,636 | $103,000 |
| Civil Engineer | $68,493 | $100,000 |
| Management Analyst | $67,812 | $104,000 |
| Marketing Manager | $67,190 | $101,000 |
| Sales Manager | $62,853 | $117,000 |
| Financial Analyst | $62,419 | $83,000 |
| Web Developer | $60,328 | $89,000 |
The highest-paying jobs for entrepreneurs vary from creative work to sales and managerial tasks to even teaching and consulting jobs. Below is a detailed description of the highest-paying jobs for entrepreneurs, what they entail, and some of the main requirements.
IT Manager
The primary duties of an IT manager involve overseeing a company’s computer framework and software integrity. They must ensure that a company’s network or server works seamlessly to guarantee an uninterrupted flow of information.
Moreover, IT managers design systems that provide companies with better data organization and efficient analytics. Depending on the company, IT managers can supervise the computer access and interactive use of employees, making sure that the work process is smooth and coherent.
For you to land this job, you need a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology. Typically, you’re going to need at least five years of IT-related work experience. Some of the technical skills you need include network management, people management, and an understanding of information technology infrastructure.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth for an information technology manager is expected to reach 11 percent in the next few years. Overall, the job outlook is great, and the role offers excellent compensation.
Business Consultant
Business consultants are typically hired by businesses as an external source of help in managing internal business processes. They’re hired as independent contractors, which means they have a flexible schedule.
A business consultant must show a strong sense of leadership. They help strategize and set goals for a company, they also execute business projects in accordance with the business’ needs and requirements.
The educational requirements for this job involve a college degree in finance, accounting, or other business-related degrees. However, companies have a preference for business consultants who have a more advanced degree like a master’s or a PhD.
Software Developer
Software developers create programs or applications using their extensive knowledge of programming languages to allow people to do specific tasks on different devices. They’re hired by companies to create, improve, or customize programs to fit the necessary requirements.
A software developer must know the various types of coding languages like Java, Python, or C++. Moreover, they have to be willing to collaborate with teams and management to meet the objectives.
For this job, you’re going to need a computer science bachelor’s degree or related degrees like computer engineering. Having a master’s degree is a plus but it’s not required to begin your career as a software developer. Having at least three years of experience and being knowledgeable in programming languages is a must.
According to BLS, employment for software developers is expected to grow by 22 percent in the following years. That means job outlook and job security are great, and you should take this into consideration.
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 visible to the masses for advertising purposes.
For this job, a university degree in marketing, communications, or related fields is a requirement. Also, relevant work experience that shows that you’ve handled public relations for companies is a plus.
Employment for public relations managers is expected to grow by 13 percent over the next few years, according to BLS. This job is great for entrepreneurs as it shows the processes and handling of marketing for a company.
Civil Engineer
Civil engineers are tasked with supervising various infrastructure projects. They ensure that each project is done in a timely manner and everything executed is within budget. Civil engineers also project costs such as those related to material or equipment use.
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As the name suggests, you need a civil engineering degree to get a job as a civil engineer. Moreover, getting your professional engineering license can add more color to your civil engineer resume. In terms of job outlook, the employment growth of civil engineers is expected to rise by eight percent over the next few years, according to BLS.
Management Analyst
Management analysts are hired by companies to gauge the management system and troubleshoot it if any problems are detected. They’re also responsible for measuring key performance indicators, as well as simplifying the workflow of a business.
Similar to business consultants, you need a degree in finance, business administration, or related degrees. Moreover, some companies require a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).
Lastly, a skill that you need to have 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 14 percent, according to BLS.
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers are responsible for developing 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. They also are in charge of launching and creating marketing campaigns.
If you want to become a marketing manager, you’re going to need a degree in advertising or marketing and experience in the marketing field. Some companies prefer someone with an MBA, but it’s not always the case. BLS posits that employment for marketing managers is projected to grow by 10 percent in the next few years.
Sales Manager
Sales managers handle different transactions from both customers and distributors. They supervise a team of sales representatives. Moreover, they oversee all 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 seven 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, and performing financial forecasting. They’re also responsible for reporting about the financial health of a company.
Becoming a financial analyst usually involves getting a degree in finance or accounting. If you want to further your career and skill in financial analytics, you’d want to be a chartered financial analyst (CFA), which requires a degree and four years of relevant working experience. BLS shows that employment for financial analysts is projected to grow by six percent in the next few years.
Web Developer
The essential responsibilities of a web developer include creating secured websites for specific business needs, coding and script development, and performing occasional website troubleshooting.
Educational requirements for a web developer include a degree in computer science or a related field, although sometimes relevant experience or training can be sufficient. 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 13 percent in the coming years.
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 nature.
- Try Freelancing. Try freelancing websites like Upwork or Fiverr. You can get jobs as a graphic designer, virtual assistant, and many more for extra income and experience.
- Take Online Courses. Seek online courses for entrepreneurship to further your knowledge. Online courses are a great resource to hone your skill in entrepreneurship.
- Start a Business. Try several online business ideas like a drop shipping business. This could become a decent side business that could be another source of income.
- Believe in Yourself. If you think you have a legitimate business idea that you want to execute, trust your gut and do it.
- 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.
Jobs for Entrepreneurs Outlook
The job outlook for entrepreneurs is great due to the multifaceted nature of their work. They’re perfect for managerial positions as well as creative work. Furthermore, entrepreneurs can try different lucrative side business ideas that can garner them extra income. This ensures capital flexibility which can ultimately help them in their goal of starting a business.
Since they also value a flexible schedule, they’re a perfect fit for freelance gigs that allow them to build more work experience. Once you feel that you’ve acquired enough knowledge, you can then start your own business and venture from there.
Best Jobs for Entrepreneurs FAQ
No, you don’t necessarily need a college degree to be an entrepreneur. However, having a college degree can open you to a lot more job opportunities. A bachelor’s degree can certainly give you an advantage when looking for potential work.
You should start by gaining as much knowledge and work experience in your chosen industry as possible. You have to be dedicated and consistent in learning the ins and outs of running a business. Acquire relevant resource materials like books or online courses to help you in your journey to becoming an entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurs become successful through trial and error. They never gave up on their legitimate business idea 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 pre-existing ideas. In short, an entrepreneur is a market leader while a businessman is a market player.
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